Matthew P Kreitzer
For Judge of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations/Juvenile Division
Full Term Beginning 1/1/2023
Candidate Details
- Residence
CANTON - Email
kreitzerforfamilycourtjudge@gmail.com - Website
kreitzerforfamilycourtjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/kreitzerforfamilycourtjudge - Age
48 - Occupation
Chief Magistrate, Stark County Family Court - Education
Juris Doctorate 2004
· University of Akron, School of Law, Akron, Ohio.
B.A.: Criminal Justice Studies / Minor: Paralegal 1998
· Kent State University, Kent, Ohio - Member of 1997 Gold Key Honor Society.
· Multiple Dean's List Recipient.
· Graduated Cum Laude
- Work Experience
Chief Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2020 - present
In addition to the duties of a Magistrate, provide supervision to assigned court departments and personnel, evaluate requests for expedited hearings, consider Ex Parte (non CPO) requests when Judges are unavailable, create and manage the schedules for all magistrates, apprising all magistrates of procedure and/or statutory changes, and attend all administration/Judges weekly meetings to present on issues related the Magistrates.
Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2014 – 2020
Preside over various kinds of hearings, both oral argument and full trial. Issue interim orders and render final decision in the areas of divorce, dissolution, post-decree modifications, domestic violence civil protection orders, allocation of parental rights, child support, paternity, child protective cases (abuse, neglect, dependency), juvenile delinquency, juvenile offenses, and juvenile traffic.
Staff Counsel: Stark County Child Support Enforcement Agency, 2010 – 2014Represent CSEA in matters of child support, including contempt, paternity, setting support amounts, arrears issues, collection of spousal support, and in reviewing trusts for Medicaid purposes. Provide legal advice and guidance to caseworkers and other CSEA staff.
Staff Counsel: Stark County Public Defender Office, 2007 – 2010
Represent indigent defendants in criminal matters in Municipal court. Represent children and adults in the Stark County Family Court in cases involving delinquency actions, matters of contempt, and alleged dependency, neglect and abuse of their children. Responsible for own caseload, from arraignment through trial and appeal.
Attorney: 2004 – 2007
Handling of domestic relations, contract preparation, traffic offenses, probate, wills, property damage, personal injury, etc.
- Family
Married with 4 children and three dogs. - Affiliations
Board of Directors, United Way of Greater Stark County
Ohio State Bar Association
Ohio Association of Magistrates
Stark County Bar Association
Stark County Bar Association Family Law Committee – Bench Chair
Ohio Child Support Advisory Council
Stark County Community Corrections Planning Board
35th Class of Leadership Stark County
- Endorsements
Votes for Women
Alliance FOP Lodge #73
McKinley Lodge #2 FOP
Stark County Deputies Association
- Bar Association Ratings
Stark County Bar Association: Recommended rating (2022)
Matthew P Kreitzer
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Chief Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2020 - present
In addition to the duties of a Magistrate, provide supervision and guidance to assigned court departments and personnel, evaluate requests for expedited hearings, consider Ex Parte (non CPO) requests when Judges are unavailable, coordinate with schools and Prosecutors to support schools’ access to informal truancy case docket, create and manage the schedules for all magistrates to assure all hearings are covered, apprising all magistrates of procedure and/or statutory changes, and attend all administration/Judges weekly meetings to present on issues related the Magistrates.
Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2014 – 2020
Preside over various kinds of hearings, both oral argument and full trial. Issue interim orders and render final decision in the areas of divorce, dissolution, post-decree modifications, domestic violence civil protection orders, allocation of parental rights, child support, paternity, child protective cases (abuse, neglect, dependency), juvenile delinquency, juvenile offenses, and juvenile traffic. Provide overall regulation of the courtroom to provide access to the Family Court Judicial System.
Promote education of the public as to Family Court Services and assist with updating local rules and policy. Participate in specialized dockets and programs run by the court.
Chief Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2020 - present
In addition to the duties of a Magistrate, provide supervision and guidance to assigned court departments and personnel, evaluate requests for expedited hearings, consider Ex Parte (non CPO) requests when Judges are unavailable, coordinate with schools and Prosecutors to support schools’ access to informal truancy case docket, create and manage the schedules for all magistrates to assure all hearings are covered, apprising all magistrates of procedure and/or statutory changes, and attend all administration/Judges weekly meetings to present on issues related the Magistrates.
Magistrate: Stark County Family Court, 2014 – 2020
Preside over various kinds of hearings, both oral argument and full trial. Issue interim orders and render final decision in the areas of divorce, dissolution, post-decree modifications, domestic violence civil protection orders, allocation of parental rights, child support, paternity, child protective cases (abuse, neglect, dependency), juvenile delinquency, juvenile offenses, and juvenile traffic. Provide overall regulation of the courtroom to provide access to the Family Court Judicial System.
Promote education of the public as to Family Court Services and assist with updating local rules and policy. Participate in specialized dockets and programs run by the court.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have been doing Domestic Relations and Juvenile law since I became licensed in 2004. I had a private practice from 2004 – 2007. I then began working in the Stark County Family Court as a Public Defender in 2007. I was representing juveniles charged with breaking the law, adults charged with contempt of court and contributing to the delinquency of minors, and parents who were having their children removed from their home due to allegations of dependency, neglect, and/or abuse. In 2010 I became an attorney with the Stark Co. Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). As a CSEA attorney in the Family Court, I established paternity and established and enforced child support orders. Through private practice and my capacity as a Public Defender and CSEA attorney, I have handled nearly every type of hearing and case that the Family Court decides. Topping that off with my actual judicial experience, and I have done every kind of case and every kind of hearing handled in the Family Court.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI have been doing Domestic Relations and Juvenile law since I became licensed in 2004. I had a private practice from 2004 – 2007. I then began working in the Stark County Family Court as a Public Defender in 2007. I was representing juveniles charged with breaking the law, adults charged with contempt of court and contributing to the delinquency of minors, and parents who were having their children removed from their home due to allegations of dependency, neglect, and/or abuse. In 2010 I became an attorney with the Stark Co. Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). As a CSEA attorney in the Family Court, I established paternity and established and enforced child support orders. Through private practice and my capacity as a Public Defender and CSEA attorney, I have handled nearly every type of hearing and case that the Family Court decides. Topping that off with my actual judicial experience, and I have done every kind of case and every kind of hearing handled in the Family Court.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I genuinely love working in Family Court. Whether it has been as an attorney, representing clients, or as a magistrate, hearing and deciding cases. Developing a legal career serving Stark County families has allowed me to grow into a fair, just, and empathetic hearing officer.
Like many families and children that come before the court, I have experienced the hardship of trauma, living in poverty, and struggling to make ends meet. I have experienced a marriage end, and the need to put differences aside to best co-parent a child. I am in a second marriage and have a wonderful, blended family. And, while these experiences do not affect my judicial decisions, or how I apply the law to the facts of a case, they have helped me to develop a respect, empathy, and compassion for those who come before me.
Because a Family Court Judge has incredible influence over the future of families, it is imperative that a Judge possess a deep understanding of family law. Since becoming a Magistrate, I have handled over 10,000 Family Court cases. I have years of experience deciding cases and have a reputation for being knowledgeable of the law. A Judge must possess a fair, firm, and compassionate judicial temperament. The temperament of the Judge, and the ability to mutually respect everyone, is critical to maintaining a fair approach to hearing cases and making decisions.
For these reasons, I hope to continue to serve Stark County children and families as a Family Court Judge.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersI genuinely love working in Family Court. Whether it has been as an attorney, representing clients, or as a magistrate, hearing and deciding cases. Developing a legal career serving Stark County families has allowed me to grow into a fair, just, and empathetic hearing officer.
Like many families and children that come before the court, I have experienced the hardship of trauma, living in poverty, and struggling to make ends meet. I have experienced a marriage end, and the need to put differences aside to best co-parent a child. I am in a second marriage and have a wonderful, blended family. And, while these experiences do not affect my judicial decisions, or how I apply the law to the facts of a case, they have helped me to develop a respect, empathy, and compassion for those who come before me.
Because a Family Court Judge has incredible influence over the future of families, it is imperative that a Judge possess a deep understanding of family law. Since becoming a Magistrate, I have handled over 10,000 Family Court cases. I have years of experience deciding cases and have a reputation for being knowledgeable of the law. A Judge must possess a fair, firm, and compassionate judicial temperament. The temperament of the Judge, and the ability to mutually respect everyone, is critical to maintaining a fair approach to hearing cases and making decisions.
For these reasons, I hope to continue to serve Stark County children and families as a Family Court Judge.