Common Court Pleas Buter County, Ohio, Judge J. Gregory Howard

Gregory was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Kentucky and a law degree from Northern Kentucky University. 

Trellis, Judge J. Gregory Howard

Gregory previously worked as a criminal defense and family law attorney and as an acting referee of the Bulter County Probate Court. 

J. Gregory Howard is currently serving as the County Common Pleas Judge for Butler County. He was appointed to the Butler County Common Pleas Court in 2017 and serving his first term. He previously served as acting Judge of the Middletown Municipal Court for 8 years. 

As a court of common pleas judge for 7 years, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As an attorney in private practice, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and family law.

As a court of common pleas judge, presides over the Substance Abuse and Mental Illness (SAMI) Court.

- As a court of common pleas judge for 7 years, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.
- As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As an attorney in private practice, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and family law.
- As a court of common pleas judge, presides over the Substance Abuse and Mental Illness (SAMI) Court.

Legal Experience

As judge of the SAMI Court, supports using a "holistic, accountability-based, community-supported, approach" when addressing offenders in this court.

- As judge of the SAMI Court, supports using a "holistic, accountability-based, community-supported, approach" when addressing offenders in this court.

Judicial Administration

As of June 8, 2025, J. Gregory Howard did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Participated in the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program established by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Former president of the Butler County and Mid-Miami Valley Bar Associations and regional chair of the Butler County Republican Party.

- Participated in the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program established by the Ohio Supreme Court.
- Former president of the Butler County and Mid-Miami Valley Bar Associations and regional chair of the Butler County Republican Party.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

J. Gregory Howard

- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge

Election results

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