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Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, Judges of the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Jason is from Ironton, Ohio and attended Ironton High School. He has a bachelors degree in political science from Ohio University and a law degree from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. He and his wife Kelly have a daughter. 

Jason is the owner of Jason P Smith, Attorney at Law. He was previously the director of legal affairs for McNational Inc, in-house counsel for McGinnis, a partner in the law firm Stillpass, Delawder & Smith, and an assistant prosecutor in Lawrence County.

Jason P. Smith is currently serving as an Ohio Division 4 Court of Appeals Judge. He was elected in 2018 and is serving his first term. 

As of August 7, 2024, Jason P. Smith did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Court News Ohio, Fourth District Judge Hears First Supreme Court Argument

As a court of appeals judge, he ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

As a visiting Jurist for the Ohio Supreme Court, he heard and made a judgment on a Supreme Court case in place of a justice who recused himself.

As the owner of a law firm, he oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.

As the director of legal affairs for McNational Inc, he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and defended McNational in court.

As in-house counsel for McGinnis, he he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and defended McGinnis in court.

As a partner in a law firm, he managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel on behalf of clients.

As an assistant prosecutor, he reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

- As a court of appeals judge, he ensures the law has been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercises the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of fact or law by lower appeals and trial courts, and hears applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.
- As a visiting Jurist for the Ohio Supreme Court, he heard and made a judgment on a Supreme Court case in place of a justice who recused himself.
- As the owner of a law firm, he oversees finances and budgeting, shapes and enforces firm culture, helps attract new clients, manages and mentors legal associates, and guides growth in the firm’s legal practice areas.
- As the director of legal affairs for McNational Inc, he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and defended McNational in court.
- As in-house counsel for McGinnis, he he researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and defended McGinnis in court.
- As a partner in a law firm, he managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel on behalf of clients.
- As an assistant prosecutor, he reviewed the charges individuals were arrested for, determined which cases and charges would be tried in court, drafted and filed documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges on behalf of the government, and provided sentencing recommendations for convicted felons.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Jason P. Smith

Jason P Smith

- Each Ohio district has 4 to 12 Court of Appeals judges, depending on case volume.
- Any three judges from a district form a court to review appeals from lower courts, checking for legal errors. The 10th district (Franklin County) also reviews cases from the Ohio Court of Claims, which handles civil suits against the state.
- This court is the only appellate court before the Ohio Supreme Court and can issue orders like writs of habeas corpus, which forces a jail to justify holding someone, or writs of mandamus, which directs a government official to perform a mandatory duty.
- Judges serve a 6-year term, are elected in partisan elections, and earn a salary of $178,100.
- To qualify, judges must have been practicing law in Ohio for at least one year and have six years of experience as a lawyer or judge in any U.S. court. 