Lucas County, Judge Gene A. Zmuda 

Ballotpedia, Gene Zmuda

Gene holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo and a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. He is married to his wife, Teri, with whom he has 2 sons. 

Gene works as an adjunct professor at the University of Toledo College of Law. He previously worked as an attorney in private practice. 

Gene A. Zmuda currently serves as a State Court of Appeals Judge in Division 6. He was elected to this position in 2018 and is serving his first term. He previously served as a Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Judge. He was named to that position in 2007 and served for 2 terms. He also served as the Toledo Municipal Court Judge. He was named to that position in 2003, but he did not serve for a full term. He also served as a member of the Toledo City Council. He was named to that position in 1993 and served for 2 full terms. 

THE BLADE, Zmuda the right choice for appeals court

As a county court of common pleas judge, Zmuda worked to reduce jail populations, with inmate populations reportedly "down 19 percent since 2015...".

As a county court of common pleas judge, Zmuda made efforts to defer defendants with substance abuse or mental health issues to treatment rather than incarceration.

- As a county court of common pleas judge, Zmuda worked to reduce jail populations, with inmate populations reportedly "down 19 percent since 2015...".
- As a county court of common pleas judge, Zmuda made efforts to defer defendants with substance abuse or mental health issues to treatment rather than incarceration.

Judicial Administration

As of August 7, 2024, Gene A. Zmuda did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

As a state court of appeals judge, Zmuda 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 court of common pleas judge, Zmuda reviewed the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issued marriage licenses, administered divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversaw 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, Zmuda 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, Zmuda researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

- As a state court of appeals judge, Zmuda 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 court of common pleas judge, Zmuda reviewed the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issued marriage licenses, administered divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain proceedings, and oversaw 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, Zmuda 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, Zmuda researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Serves as chairperson of the Civil Law Committee for the Ohio Judicial Conference.

- Serves as chairperson of the Civil Law Committee for the Ohio Judicial Conference.

Community Involvement

Gene A. Zmuda

- 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. 