Judicial Votes Count, Matt Kreitzer

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Matt is from Minerva and attended Minerva High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice studies from Kent State University and his law degree from the University of Akron. He and his wife, Diane, have 4 children.

Matt previously worked as an attorney for Stark County and as a human resources director for Minerva Cheese Factory, Inc.

Matt Kreitzer currently serves as a judge for the County Common Pleas Court in Stark County, Ohio. He was first elected in 2014 and is serving his second term.

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As Magistrate, has handled over 12,000 cases in the Family Court.

As a private practice attorney, handled cases involving domestic relations, custody, traffic offenses, contract preparation, probate, wills, property damage, and personal injury.

Worked as an attorney for Stark County for 7 years.

- As Magistrate, has handled over 12,000 cases in the Family Court.
- As a private practice attorney, handled cases involving domestic relations, custody, traffic offenses, contract preparation, probate, wills, property damage, and personal injury.
- Worked as an attorney for Stark County for 7 years.

Legal Experience

Believes the court must be flexible to meet the needs of the community.

- Believes the court must be flexible to meet the needs of the community.

Judicial Administration

Believes a Family Court Judge must possess a "fair, firm, and compassionate judicial temperament" and that "mutually respecting everyone is critical to maintaining a fair approach to hearing cases, and ultimately, making decisions."

Said, "The temperament of the judge, and the ability to mutually respect everyone, is critical to maintaining a fair approach to hearing cases, and ultimately, making decisions."

- Said, "The temperament of the judge, and the ability to mutually respect everyone, is critical to maintaining a fair approach to hearing cases, and ultimately, making decisions."

Judicial Philosophy

As of August 23, 2024, Matt Kreitzer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Serves on the United Way of Greater Stark County Board of Directors, Arika’s Angels Advisory Board, and on the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board.

Helped the Stark Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board create videos to educate the community on Family Court operations.

Helped create videos to educate the community on Family Court operations with the Stark Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board.

- Serves on the United Way of Greater Stark County Board of Directors, Arika’s Angels Advisory Board, and on the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board.
- Helped create videos to educate the community on Family Court operations with the Stark Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Board.

Community Involvement

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Matt Kreitzer

Matt Kreitzer lived most of his childhood and young adult years in Minerva, Ohio, which he considers his hometown. He graduated from Minerva High School and completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Kent State University. He later graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron, School of Law. He is married to Diane, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, and they have a blended family with his daughter Madeline and stepchildren Alex, Sydney, and Scott.

Matt Kreitzer is currently the Chief Magistrate at Stark County Family Court. He has previously worked as an attorney for the Stark County Public Defender Office and the Stark County Child Support Enforcement Agency.

Matt Kreitzer has served as Chief Magistrate of the Stark County Family Court since 2020. He is a member of the Stark County Bar Association Family Law Committee, the Ohio Child Support Advisory Council, and the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board.

Worked as an attorney for the Stark County Public Defender Office.

As a law clerk, served at a personal injury firm representing clients in cases such as personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, contract disputes, automobile accidents, dog bite injuries, and insurance claims.

Represented adults in cases of dependency, neglect, and abuse, contempt of court, and contributing to delinquency of minors, as well as juvenile delinquency cases.

Served as an attorney for the Stark County Child Support Enforcement Agency.

Served as a magistrate in the Stark County Family Court.

Believes serving in family court has allowed him to grow into a "well-rounded attorney and magistrate."

As a lawyer, represented the CSEA in child support cases, including paternity actions, support amount determinations, arrears collection, and spousal support cases.

Believes in putting differences aside to prioritize the best interests of children during custody disputes.

Has a legal background and is recognized for being knowledgeable of the law.

As a family court judge, the candidate has experience in making decisions on cases involving child custody, divorce, adoption, and domestic violence.

Believes that personal experiences, such as being a child of divorce and being in a blended family, do not affect judicial decisions or legal application, but aid in developing a comprehensive understanding of human experiences.

As a judge, "impartially applied the law to the facts of a case, issued interim orders, and, rendered final decisions in all areas of law handled by the court."

Believes that experience as a general practitioner, public defender, child support attorney, and Family Court Magistrate/Chief Magistrate provides the necessary background to understand the court system comprehensively.

Believes his legal career serving Stark County families has made him a "fair, just, and empathetic hearing officer" and plans to continue this service as a Family Court Judge.

Supports the Stark County Family Court's management of domestic relations and juvenile cases, including divorce, child custody, and juvenile delinquency.

As a judge, provided access to justice for all in my courtroom, promoted Family Court services, and updated local rules and policies.

Served as Chief Magistrate of the Stark County Family Court.

As Chief Magistrate, supervises court departments, evaluates expedited hearing requests, manages magistrates’ schedules, and attends judges' meetings to provide feedback on court policy and procedure development.

Believes they are the only candidate with an understanding of the administrative and financial operations of the Family Court.

Believes court programming must be flexible and data-driven to meet community needs.

Believes judicial leadership must collect data to identify the needs of children and families.

Believes magistrates play a crucial role in family court by presiding over hearings, ruling on motions, issuing orders, and making decisions on various family law and juvenile issues.

Supports overseeing magistrates, attending weekly meetings, and addressing issues related to magistrates.

Believes judicial experience is crucial, saying, "I have presided over hearings in every..."

Supports improving the operations of the Family Court.

Supports attending judges' meetings to influence court policy, personnel, finance, and initiatives.

Served as Family Court’s Chief Magistrate.

Believes in the importance of judicial leadership and having developed the necessary skills for effective judicial administration.

Believes understanding community needs is crucial for effective judicial decision-making.

Believes in deciding cases with "accountability, compassion, and empathy."

Believes personal experiences of trauma, poverty, and blended families foster respect, empathy, and compassion for families and children in court.

Believes a Family Court Judge must possess a deep understanding of family law before calling his/her first case.

Believes he has the skills necessary to be a judicial leader and serve Stark County as a Family Court Judge.

Believes his personal and professional growth has provided him with family law knowledge and the "proper judicial temperament" needed to serve as a judge for Stark County Family Court.

Believes he has developed the necessary skills to be a judicial leader and is ready to serve as a Family Court Judge.

Believes a Family Court Judge must possess a deep understanding of family law before hearing cases.

Believes in having the "knowledge, and the proper judicial temperament necessary to be a judge for Stark County Family Court."

Believes a Family Court Judge must possess a fair, impartial, and unbiased character.

Believes a judge must have a deep understanding of family law before hearing cases.

Believes a "compassionate judicial temperament" and mutual respect are essential for fair case hearings and decisions.

Prohibits corporate (non-profit and for-profit) contributions to his campaign.

Participates in the Stark County Fatherhood Coalition’s “Father’s Walk Your Kids to School” initiative.

Presided over hearings for the STAR (Specialized Treatment and Rehabilitation) Court program, which focuses on rehabilitation for drug-related offenses.

Believes in serving the community by protecting families.

Often shares information about Family Court with rotary clubs, schools, and community organizations.

Believes in community involvement through family court work.

Believes he has developed the necessary skills to serve as a judicial leader and is now ready to serve Stark County as a Family Court Judge.

Said, "I genuinely love working for Family Court."

As an intern, attended court and administrative hearings on housing issues and conducted related research.

Believes in addressing the "hardship of trauma, living in poverty, and struggling day to day to make ends meet" through community involvement and support.

Served on the Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board.

Participated in the Leadership Stark County Signature Program, a community development initiative.

Served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Greater Stark County, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve lives and community conditions through partnerships and fundraising.

- 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.