Albert S. Camplese

(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have been a judge since 1993, and began my judicial career as Judge of the Ashtabula Municipal Court I am currently the Judge of the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division. I have served with distinction, and have implemented numerous innovative programs in both courts.

In 2018, I was honored to receive Ohio’s “Distinguished Judicial Service Award.” This honor was especially meaningful because it was awarded in my third year as a juvenile judge. It is a peer recognition and it was bestowed by my colleagues in the Ohio Association of Juvenile Judges. Recipient, “Whatever It Takes Award,” from MST Services Established, Ashtabula County’s “Family Drug Court” in 2017. Established, Ashtabula County’s “Juvenile Resource Center” in 2018. Ohio Steering Committee Member, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative [JDAI] One of five Ohio courts selected to participate in federal government’s “Statewide System Reform Project” [now SSIP] Trained in principles of Trauma Informed Care.

(2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Municipal Prosecutor, City of Ashtabula, Ohio Recipient, U.S. Inspector General’s “Integrity Award” for exemplary dedication and service in office 1) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office 2) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office 3) Recipient, Commendation from Ohio Auditor’s Office for efficiency and dedication in office Private law practice.

(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Frederick Douglass famously observed over 175 years ago: “Is is easier to build strong children than to fix broken men.”

My 22 years on a municipal court bench allowed me to witness first-hand how critical it is to address minor cognitive, behavioral and trauma-based issues sooner rather than later. This single observation informed my decision in 2015 to seek election to the Probate/Juvenile bench. There are very few among us who have not committed some form of social transgression while young. For example, who has not fought over a boyfriend/girlfriend as a youth? Marked on a wall? Etc.

In my lifetime, I have witnessed a sustained and unrelenting assault on the very foundations of our society: the family. Good and hardworking married and single parents truly want what is best for their children; however, the pace and demands of today’s society thwart this desire at every turn. Today’s youth have virtually limitless access to information and transportation. Today’s parents struggle with addiction, housing and economic issues.

In short, society is different now. Society must develop a juvenile system that demands accountability. At the same time, it must be creative, nimble and responsive. It must be efficient, patient and firm. It must resource, guide and inform. It must support, redirect and “co-parent” if necessary. In short, the system must change. If not now, when?

I recognize there are those who insist that children only “learn” when locked up. If a child is hurting others, I completely agree. As to virtually all other minor, repetitive and annoying childhood behavior, I must respectfully disagree. I have sentenced many, many adult offenders as a municipal judge. The adult system is overwhelmed and broken. Some adult offenders wait upwards of two years to serve those sentences. Is this a working system? We need to attack this problem at an earlier age, and with different approaches and solutions. Our Juvenile Resource Center is one of Ohio’s model programs. We screen for trauma, behavioral and cognitive deficits, mental health issues, substance abuse issues, recidivism risks, sexual and human trafficking issues and more. We identify problems, and wrap the child and family with services. We follow-up. We assign community service. We use pro-social activities. In short, we help youth and Ashtabula County Families. I truly love my job, and humbly ask for your continued support.