Office: Franklin County – Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Age: 42
Residence: Westerville, OH
Email: judgedanhawkins@gmail.con
Website: www.JudgeDanHawkins.com
Occupation: Judge, Franklin County Environmental Court
Education: J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law, B.S. in
Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University
Work Experience: Judge, 2013-present; Special Victims Unit Director
for Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney, 2005-2013; Assistant
Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney, 2001-2013
Family: Married with 3 children
Affiliations: American Judges Association, Ohio Judicial Conference,
Association of Municipal County Judges of Ohio, Ohio State Bar
Association, Columbus Bar Association
Endorsements: N/A
Bar Association Ratings: Received highest ranking in the Columbus Bar
Association Judicial Performance Poll
http://www.cbalaw.org/CBA_PROD/Main/News_Items/Columbus_Bar_
2017_Judicial_Performance_Poll_Results_Announced.aspx
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
Judge, Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division –
2013-present
(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a
judge?
Being a judge requires the ability to make difficult, life-changing
decisions on a daily basis. My experience prior to taking the bench
provided me with the proper experience and perspective to make these
tough decisions. Before I became a judge, I spent 14 years as an
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Franklin County handling juvenile,
domestic, grand jury and criminal cases. After only 2 years as an
assistant prosecutor, I was awarded a spot in the office’s prestigious
Special Victims Unit, which handles crimes of violence against women
and children including sexual assaults, domestic and sexual homicides,
child homicides, child abuse, human trafficking, and internet child
exploitation.
In 2005, I was promoted to the position of Director of this unit, making
me responsible for not only prosecuting these cases but also
overseeing a staff of six SVU prosecutors. I provided training to
prosecutors, attorneys, law enforcement and medical professionals
from all over the state on topics including evidence, forensics, and
responding to sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2011, I traveled
to the former Soviet Republic of Georgia at the request of the U.S.
Department of Justice in order to help that country update its laws and
judicial system. Over the course of my career, I conducted well over
100 jury trials, including six death penalty cases. In 2009, I received the
Award of Commendation from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for
the prosecution of internet child predators. All of this experience
helped prepare me to become the judge that I am today: fair, hardworking,
and unafraid to make tough decisions.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
At the end of 2018, three highly regarded Common Pleas judges are being forced into retirement due to age restrictions, resulting in over 64 years of experience leaving the bench in Franklin County. Concern over this tremendous loss of experience led a number of attorneys, judges, and community leaders from both political parties to approach me about running for the seat that is currently held by the retiring Judge Charles Schneider. Given all of the success we have had in the Environmental Court over the past 5 years, I was originally reluctant to make such a move. However, the outpouring of support I have received and the demand for experienced judges during such difficult times was ultimately the deciding factor in me seeking this seat on the Common
Pleas Court. As a Judge, I have presided over a docket that involves several thousand criminal and civil cases. As a prosecutor, I tried over 100 jury trials that involved society’s most heinous and serious crimes. I am uniquely qualified for the position of Common Pleas Judge and I am excited to serve our county in that role. With that, I respectfully ask for your vote.
Thank you.