Candidates
Candidate Profiles
Jarrod Skinner
Candidate for:
Franklin County Municipal Court
Undergraduate Education:
The Ohio State University (2001)
Legal Education:
Juris Doctor, Capital University Law School (2005)
Legal Experience:
2018-current: Judge, Franklin County Municipal Court & MAVS Presiding Judge
2016-2017: Senior Prosecutor, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr.’s Office
2007-2016: Prosecutor, City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr.’s Office
2006: Staff Attorney, The Honorable Judge Angela White, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
Candidate Statement:
(In response to the question, "Please explain why you believe you are qualified for the judicial position for which you are
seeking election.")
My greatest accomplishment as a judge is presiding over a courtroom that values community safety, restorative justice and respects everyone who enters. Five years ago, during my swearing in ceremony I pledged that regardless of how many cases I preside over, I will always treat every person as an individual and not a case number. As a judge, I have maintained that pledge and will continue to do so if I have the honor to continue my service.
In addition to presiding over my regular docket, the judges of Municipal Court have selected me to preside over the Military and Veterans Services Specialty (MAVS) docket. This docket implements individualized plans that help veterans with housing, mental health services and alcohol and drug counseling. It is an intense program where justice system-involved veterans meet with our staff on a weekly basis and we help them overcome their substance abuse or mental health struggles.
I am also the chair of the Technology department in Municipal Court, where we have made dramatic technological improvements over the last three years. I lead a team of dedicated court employees who implemented video arraignments, which dramatically changed how the court system manages criminal arraignments. We also now have our own court IT team who has created a new website and are currently working toward a paperless courthouse. All these improvements will bring the courthouse into the digital era, thus having a positive impact on how the Court serves the public.
Additionally, I am a huge supporter of the Franklin County Municipal Court Self-Help Center. Over the years, the Self-Help Center has held expungement clinics throughout Franklin County. As judge, I was able to waive outstanding fines and costs which prohibited people from applying for expungements—helping them to get their lives back on track.
Prior to being elected judge in 2017, I served as a Senior Prosecutor for the City of Columbus, where I prosecuted thousands of Municipal Court cases. In my 10+ years in this position, I was the lead attorney in many jury trials and court trials and litigated numerous motion hearings. As an experienced prosecutor, I trained new prosecutors on trial strategies and how best to analyze fact patterns.
Additionally, I had the distinct privilege of being the Environmental Prosecutor for the City of Columbus for two years. As the environmental prosecutor, I prosecuted animal abusers, slumlords, those who take advantage of vulnerable residents as well as countless other misdemeanor offenses, making certain to ensure that all parties involved in a case are treated with respect. I’ve presented classes on topics including Animal and Humane Law, Vicious Dog Law and Ohio Code Enforcement, and have trained both police officers and animal control agents on courtroom procedures.
As a staff attorney, I conducted extensive research on substantive issues as well as procedural and evidentiary questions. I researched various motions submitted to the Court to provide accurate and unprejudiced predictions by synthesizing case law, legislative history and administrative regulations. I drafted decisions for Motions for Summary Judgment, Discovery Motions, Motions to Dismiss, Motions for Relief from Judgment and Motions in Limine. I also conducted pre-trials, status conferences and settlement conferences. The culmination of experiences in my legal career, both as attorney and now as a judge, qualify me to stay on the bench.
In conclusion, Franklin County Municipal Court is the largest and busiest court in Ohio. The citizens of Franklin County need judges who are knowledgeable in all aspects of Municipal Court, including civil, criminal, and environmental issues. I am experienced in all three of these areas of law and I understand the right balance of holding criminals accountable to protect society while treating each person, regardless of accusations, fairly. In addition to experience, I have both the temperament and perspective to become a successful judge and will continue to fairly interpret the laws of Ohio and will strive to protect all citizens of Franklin County. Municipal Court is sometimes known as “The People’s Court,” as regular, everyday citizens can find themselves standing before a judge in Municipal Court. Whether it’s a traffic violation, being called for jury duty or being involved in a dispute with a landlord, I believe that by continuing to serving as a judge in Municipal Court, I can have the greatest effect on the lives of our citizens.
Columbus Bar Association
2023 Judiciary Committee Finding:
5 stars
(what does this mean?)
Running Against:
(unopposed)