Skip Menu
Judicial Votes Count
Kim Melnick

Kim Melnick

For Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Unexpired Term Term Ending 1/4/2025

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Dayton
  • Email
    kim.melnickforjudge@gmail.com
  • Website
    citizensforjudgemelnick.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080410042244
  • Age
    54
  • Occupation
    Judge - Montgomery County Common Pleas Court
  • Education

    I attended Centerville High School, graduating in 1986. I then attended Wright State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1990, and went on to University of Dayton School of Law graduating with my Juris Doctorate in 1993.

     

  • Work Experience

    I am currently a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge in the General Division. I handle all types of felony criminal cases from aggravated murder to theft and drug offenses, civil cases with a monetary value of $15,000 or higher from medical malpractice to contract disputes, and appeals from administrative agency decisions.

    In criminal cases, I preside over pre-trial motion hearings and issue decisions on evidentiary matters that must be determined before trial. I also preside over both trials to the court, where guilt or innocence is determined by the judge, and trials to a jury. After any guilty plea or verdict, I am then responsible for making all sentencing decisions, including conducting hearings on revocations from community control sanctions (probation).

    In civil cases, I determine issues such as injunctive relief and protection orders. I issue decisions on pre-trial motions regarding evidentiary matters. I preside over both civil trials to the court and to a jury. I act as a court of review in administrative cases by reviewing decisions made by agencies and ensuring that laws and procedures were followed properly.

    I have been a practicing attorney for nearly 29 years.  I have spent 26 years as a criminal prosecutor; over 22 of those years were in the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s office. During my tenure there, I have tried every kind of felony case including drugs, theft, rape, aggravated robbery cases to complex financial cases. I have supervised the Grand Jury/Intake Division, the Adult Protection Unit, and have been a Trial Supervisor. I mentored, trained and supervised other trial attorneys in the office. Prior to taking the bench I had been promoted to the Violent Crimes Bureau, which consists of a select group of attorneys who are responsible for all stages of trial preparation and presentation of cases involving someone’s death, including aggravated murder, murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter as well as vehicular homicides.

    During my remaining years, I was a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado doing criminal prosecution. Early in my career, I also spent time in private practice in the fields of criminal defense, domestic relations and probate before returning to my prosecutor role.

     

  • Family
    Conventional long term committed relationship.
  • Affiliations

    I am a member of the American Bar Association, and the Ohio Bar Association and the Dayton Bar Association along with the Carl D. Kessler Inn of Court associated with the Dayton Bar Association. DBA Inn of Court is a monthly gathering of attorneys, judges, law professors and law students that discuss topics of professionalism, ethics and general educational topics.

    I am also a member if the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court's Security Committee and Information Technology Committee. The Security Committee discusses issues surrounding the security of the court and its affiliated departments, including public security issues as well as internal security measures. The Information Technology Committee is involved with continual technology updates to the court equipment and software programs used to run the entirety of the court.

  • Endorsements

    Kettering Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #92

    Moraine Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #100

    HuberHeights/Riverside Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #161

    Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #104

    Frederick J. Beard Memorial Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #117

    Dayton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #44

    Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck

    Former Montgomery County Sheriff/Current Ohio State House Representative - Phil Plummer

    Montgomery County Clerk of courts - Mike Foley

    Montgomery County Treasurer - John McManus

     

  • Bar Association Ratings

    I am a member of the American Bar Association, and the Ohio Bar Association and the Dayton Bar Association. My career has been spent in public service as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.

Photo of Kim Melnick Kim Melnick

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

I was appointed to the bench by the Governor in March 2022 and have been serving Montgomery County in that capacity since that time. I am profoundly honored to have served Montgomery County in my role as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and now as a Common Pleas Court Judge and am eager to continue serving our community in this role.

Question 2

What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

I have spent 26 years as a criminal prosecutor; over 22 of those years were in the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s office. During my tenure there, I have tried every kind of felony case including drugs, theft, rape, aggravated robbery cases to complex financial cases. I have supervised the Grand Jury/Intake Division, the Adult Protection Unit, and have been a Trial Supervisor. I mentored, trained and supervised other trial attorneys in the office. Prior to taking the bench I had been promoted to the Violent Crimes Bureau, which consists of a select group of attorneys who are responsible for all stages of trial preparation and presentation of cases involving someone’s death, including aggravated murder, murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter as well as vehicular homicides.

During my remaining years, I was a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado doing criminal prosecution. Early in my career, I also spent time in private practice in the fields of criminal defense, domestic relations and probate before returning to my prosecutor role.

I was appointed to the bench in March 2022 due to my knowledge and courtroom experience and have been serving Montgomery County in that capacity since that time.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am a current judge seated in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division and am seeking to retain this position. I was born and raised here and care deeply about serving this community. I have practiced law in Montgomery County for 24 years of my 29-year career. Prior to taking a seat on the bench, I served in the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office as a trial attorney for over 22 years.

As a prosecutor, I endeavored to make fair decisions on charges, transparent exchanges of information and evidence, and protect individuals' rights while achieving justice for victims.

I have been a public servant of Montgomery County for 22 years. I was appointed by the Governor to continue this service. Our community needs judges that pursue fairness, justice and public safety. My position as a current judge allows me to continue my service in an important role with great responsibility that I have eagerly accepted and seek to maintain.

As a trial judge, my extensive trial experience is important. I have handled thousands of cases in my career, nearly two hundred have proceeded to trial. I understand the dynamics that are involved with motion hearings, jury trials and bench trials. I have an in-depth knowledge of the Rules of Evidence and Procedure and I understand the importance of the position I currently hold.