Office: Ashtabula County – Ashtabula County Court
Age: 59
Residence: Jefferson, OH
Email: vmillerforcountycourtjudge@gmail.com
Website: N/A
Occupation: Attorney, Certified Magistrate, Geneva on the Lake Mayor’s Court, Acting Judge, Ashtabula County Courts
Education: B.A. – Cleveland State University, 1985 JD – Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (the best law school in Ohio)
Work Experience: Private attorney for 29 years in Northeast Ohio focusing on litigation; 20 years as Acting Judge in Ashtabula County Courts, Eastern and Western Divisions; Certified Magistrate for Geneva on the Lake Mayor’s Court for 15 years; More than 5 years as an Assistant County Prosecutor
Family: Married for 25 years with three (3) adult children and a grandaughter, Kinsley
Affiliations: Ohio State Bar Association; Ashtabula County Bar Association; Former Chair – Ashtabula County Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee; Former Bar Counsel; Mentorship Program with Ashtabula County Growth Partnership; Trustee, Ashtabula County Public Defender’s Commission; Pro Bono Volunteer – Legal Aid Society; Participant with local high schools and extra curricular programs for shadowing opportunities, career day and guest speaker
Endorsements: Ashtabula County AFL-CIO, Central Labor Council
Bar Association Ratings: N/A
(1) List your judicial experience (courts and years):
As an Acting Judge for 20 years in Ashtabula County Court, Eastern and Western Divisions, I have handled just about everything that the elected Judge is required to do. I have conducted arraignments, pretrial, trials, preliminary hearings and even a jury trial. I have heard small claims cases, civil cases, forcible entry and detainer actions, warrants, forfeitures and protection orders. I have performed numerous marriage ceremonies and administered oaths authorized or required by law. One of the decisions that I made was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court. I have attended and completed numerous Ohio Judicial College Courses relevant to the duties of the County Court Judge. Perhaps most important is that I have experienced the satisfaction of helping individuals through problems that caused their involvement with the criminal justice system – if they want.
2) What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
My private practice experience includes more than 45 jury trials that provided many experiences, including assisting young attorneys obtain trial experience. My private cases have been representing real people with real problems in all of the courts in Ashtabula County and some of the surrounding areas. Some of the problems are civil, some are criminal. I have argued cases before the Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court as a private attorney and during my tenure as an Assistant County Prosecutor. As a prosecutor, I experienced dealing with county officials, departments and law enforcements. The range of my experience is an asset. I am proud of my career and my reputation as hard working, prepared and a strong advocate for my clients. Dealing with people during the most stressful times has helped to provide the experience and temperament required for a judge.
(3) Why are you running for this particular court seat?
All of my years as an attorney, with all of the varied experiences, make me the right choice for Ashtabula County Court Judge. As an Assistant Prosecutor, I handled both civil and criminal matters where I had the training and learned the skills necessary to protect the constitutional rights of all parties. I know how to try a case, put on evidence and handle the rules of evidence. As an Acting Judge and Magistrate, I have honed my ability to evaluate evidence and use the proper standard to make fair and equitable decisions. I am committed to being honorable and dignified. My years of education, training and experience provide me with a major competitive advantage to serve the citizens of Ashtabula County.