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Judicial Votes Count
Maria Santo

Maria Santo

For Judge of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, General/Domestic Relations Division
Full Term Beginning 1/1/2023

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Ada
  • Email
    www.santoforjudge@gmail.com
  • Website
    msantoforjudge.com
  • Social Media
    m.facebook.com/people/Maria-Santo/100076401610844
  • Age
    60
  • Occupation
    Magistrate
  • Education

    Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law-JD, 1987

    Seton Hall University-BA, 1983

  • Work Experience

     

    Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, General Division-January, 2012-Present

    Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division-January, 2012-Present

    Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Hardin County-January, 2009-January, 2012

    Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Hardin County-July, 2008-January, 2009

    Private Practice Attorney, Santo Law Firm, Lima, Ohio-October, 1989-July, 2008

    Adjunct Attorney for The Innocence Project, Ohio Northern University Legal Clinic 2004-2005

    Adjunct Staff Attorney, Ohio Northern University Legal Clinic-2001-2002

    Independent Contract Attorney, Allen County Legal Aid-1996-2001

    Judicial Law Clerk, Third District Court of Appeals, Lima, Ohio-June, 1987-October, 1989

    Assistant Judicial Law Clerk, Superior Court of New Jersey-Summer Internship, 1986
     

  • Family
    Single
  • Affiliations

    Ohio Magistrates Association-Current Member

    Hardin County Bar Association-Past President and Active Member

    Ohio State Bar Association-Current Member

    Bruce C. French Inns of Court-Current President

    Hardin County Republican Party-Active Member

    Hardin County Republican Women-Active Member

    Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association-Associate Member

    Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity-Current Member

    Ada, Liberty Conservation Club-Current Member

    W.O.R.T.H. Center Board Member-2006-2012

    Allen County Appellate Court Committee-2005-2009

    Allen County Common Pleas Court Committee-2002-2009

    Allen County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court-2005-2009

    Allen County Bar Association Admissions Committee-1997-2008

    Allen County Bar Association Grievance Committee-1996-2002

    Lutheran Social Services Cheryl Allen Center Board-Member 1993-2009

  • Bar Association Ratings

     Hardin County Bar Association does not rate or endorse judicial candidates.

Photo of Maria Santo Maria Santo

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, General Division-January, 2012-Present

Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division-January, 2012-Present

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, General Division-January, 2012-Present

Magistrate, Hardin County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division-January, 2012-Present

Question 2

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

     I have 20 years of experience as a trial and appellate attorney handling juvenile, domestic relations, criminal and civil cases. I appeared as a trial and appellate attorney before the Ohio Supreme Court, Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (Cincinnati), U.S. Federal District Court (Toledo), the Third District Court of Appeals (Lima), the Sixth District Court of Appeals (Toledo) and the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Hancock and Putnam Counties.

     I have 3 1/2 years experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney handling serious felony offenses-murder, rape, burglary and drug offense.  

     I have 2 years experience as an Adjunct Staff Attorney at the Ohio Northern Legal Clinic for The Innocence Project and supervising third year law students drafting legal documents and appearing in court.

     I have 2 1/2 years experience as a judicial law clerk at the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima where I developed excellent research and writing skills.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I have 20 years of experience as a trial and appellate attorney handling juvenile, domestic relations, criminal and civil cases. I appeared as a trial and appellate attorney before the Ohio Supreme Court, Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (Cincinnati), U.S. Federal District Court (Toledo), the Third District Court of Appeals (Lima), the Sixth District Court of Appeals (Toledo) and the Municipal and Common Pleas Courts in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Hancock and Putnam Counties.

     I have 3 1/2 years experience as an assistant prosecuting attorney handling serious felony offenses-murder, rape, burglary and drug offense.  

     I have 2 years experience as an Adjunct Staff Attorney at the Ohio Northern Legal Clinic for The Innocence Project and supervising third year law students drafting legal documents and appearing in court.

     I have 2 1/2 years experience as a judicial law clerk at the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima where I developed excellent research and writing skills.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I can continue to serve my community as the Judge while satisfying my love of the law. Over my 34 year legal career, I have learned that you have a bigger impact on the legal system, community and litigants from the bench. 

 

              "Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts." Amos 5:15 (NIV)

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

I can continue to serve my community as the Judge while satisfying my love of the law. Over my 34 year legal career, I have learned that you have a bigger impact on the legal system, community and litigants from the bench. 

 

              "Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts." Amos 5:15 (NIV)