Linda Knepp
For Judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division
Unexpired Term Ending 1/4/2025
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Toledo - Email
judgelknepp@gmail.com - Website
judgelindaknepp.com - Social Media
facebook.com/judgelindaknepp - Age
56 - Occupation
Judge - Education
University of Toledo College of Law (J.D. 1992)
Wayne State University (B.A. psychology 1988)
- Work Experience
Judge--Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division (July 2021-present)
Magistrate--Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division (March 2020-July 2021)
Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor--Juvenile Division (October 2018-March 2020)
Director Board of Revision Lucas County Auditor (March 2015-October 2018)
Probation Officer Lucas County Court of Common Pleas (February 2012-March 2015)
Hearing Officer Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (July 1995-December 2011)
Assistant Prosecutor Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency (March 1993-July 1995)
Certified Legal Intern Lucas County Public Defender (May 1991-November 1992)
- Family
Married 29 years to US District Judge James Knepp. Mother of Sarah (Miami, Ohio grad and UToledo Law student) and Joshua (DeSales University grad and Michigan State graduate student) - Affiliations
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Ohio Judicial Conference--Specialty Docket and Juvenile Law Committees
University of Toledo Law Alumni Association Board of Directors
St. Thomas More Society Diocese of Toledo
Davis College Foundation Board of Directors
Little Flower Parish
Toledo Bar Association
Lucas County Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association
- Endorsements
Highly recommended (highest rating) by a majority of respondents and recommended by over 83 percent of respondents to the Toledo Bar Association Judicial Candidates Poll
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 40
Toledo Police Command Officers Association
IBEW Local 8
Linda Knepp
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division--July 2021 to present
Magistrate Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division--March 2020 to July 2021
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersLucas County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division--Judge July 2021 to present
Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division--Magistrate March 2020 to July 2021
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Most of my non-judicial career has been spent in quasi-judicial service. I was an administrative hearing officer for over 16 years with the Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency, determining issues of paternity and child support. In addition, in my position with the Board of Revision in the Auditor's Office, I presided at property valuation hearings. My more recent experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Juvenile Court gave me vast insight into the work of the Court. During my tenure as a probation officer, I was responsible for rolling out a program of close supervision in lieu of custody for felons post-conviction. In addition to direct supervision of a caseload of offenders, I facilitated several group sessions in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Thinking for a Change) which has served me well in my work as a Juvenile Judge as I attempt to break a cycle of violence and drug abuse which will otherwise almost certainly result in long-term incarceration as an adult or even death.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersMost of my non-judicial career has been spent in quasi-judicial service. I was an administrative hearing officer for over 16 years with the Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency, determining issues of paternity and child support. In addition, in my position with the Board of Revision in the Auditor's Office, I presided at property valuation hearings. My more recent experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Juvenile Court gave me vast insight into the work of the Court. During my tenure as a probation officer, I was responsible for rolling out a program of close supervision in lieu of custody for felons post-conviction. In addition to direct supervision of a caseload of offenders, I facilitated several group sessions in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Thinking for a Change) which has served me well in my work as a Juvenile Judge as I attempt to break a cycle of violence and drug abuse which will otherwise almost certainly result in long-term incarceration as an adult or even death.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I have never had political aspirations and have never before sought or held elected office. But when Judge Connie Zemmelman (whom I admire greatly) retired, so many people, ranging from attorneys to court staff to judges, suggested that I would be a perfect replacement for her, I applied for appointment to the position. Having been selected by the Governor, I understand that in order to continue the critical work I have undertaken, protecting children from those who would do them harm and all of us from youth who have fallen into a path of criminal behavior, frequently involving guns and drugs and with heartbreaking results, I must convince the voters of Lucas County that I am the most qualified candidate on the ballot. I have to transcend politics and overcome my distaste for self-promotion. I hope you will look favorably upon my career of service to families in Lucas County and excuse my lack of political comfort.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI have never had political aspirations and have never before sought or held elected office. But when Judge Connie Zemmelman (whom I admire greatly) retired, so many people, ranging from attorneys to court staff to judges, suggested that I would be a perfect replacement for her, I applied for appointment to the position. Having been selected by the Governor, I understand that in order to continue the critical work I have undertaken, protecting children from those who would do them harm and all of us from youth who have fallen into a path of criminal behavior, frequently involving guns and drugs and with heartbreaking results, I must convince the voters of Lucas County that I am the most qualified candidate on the ballot. I have to transcend politics and overcome my distaste for self-promotion. I hope you will look favorably upon my career of service to families in Lucas County and excuse my lack of political comfort.