John R. Payne

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Magistrate, Lima Municipal Court (Dec. 2018 to present)

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Question 2

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

After law school I served as a law clerk for Judge Preston, a former Findlay Municipal Court judge, on the Ohio Court of Appeals for the Third Appellate District, which covers seventeen Ohio counties. During that time, my role was to review written briefs and the trial court record, conduct legal research, and discuss the case with the judge before oral arguments. Afterwards, I would draft the opinion for approval and circulation to the other judges. During my almost seven years, I drafted over 300 opinions.

Early in 2014, the city law director approached me about working in the City of Lima Law Department; with Judge Preston’s full support, I accepted the position. Within six months, I was promoted to deputy law director after my predecessor was appointed as judge of the Lima Municipal Court. During my time there, I prosecuted traffic and criminal offenses and filed civil actions in the Lima Municipal Court. I assisted the City of Lima in removing blight from the neighborhoods, including the demolition of the Royal Inn Hotel, and collected in excess of $500,000.00 in taxpayer funds. I advised Lima City Council and a variety of city boards and commissions. I also argued several cases before the Ohio Court of Appeals.

My experiences prior to being appointed as a Lima Municipal Court Magistrate in December 2018 gave me a well-rounded legal background to prepare me for my judicial responsibilities. I am grateful for the great mentors I had along the way.

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

Since December 2018, I have served as a magistrate at Lima Municipal Court. I started and oversee the court’s Veterans’ Treatment Docket, which has now had six successful graduates. I have presided over a variety of civil, traffic, and criminal cases and been appointed acting judge in the judges’ absence. I have prioritized the collection of fines and costs and community service in sentencing. I have been highly engaged in court policies and procedure, including local rule changes and administrative actions to keep the court open during the Covid-19 pandemic. Court staff and I have worked with the prosecutor’s office to encourage offenders to obtain a valid driver’s license and insurance. I have also encouraged and assisted in making the court more accessible to unrepresented persons.

Prior to serving as a magistrate, I was a prosecutor in the same court for almost five years. I also worked with the city law department to remove blight from our neighborhoods and recover taxpayer funds.

Over the past year, as I’ve met with voters, I’ve emphasized the importance of accountability and restoration in the criminal justice system, especially for misdemeanor offenders. Accountability means serving jail time for repeat and violent offenders along with intense, court supervision—this is hard, costly, but necessary work to reduce recidivism and protect our community. For those with a long history of nonpayment of fines and costs, community service will be imposed and enforced. Accountability means owning your mistakes and moving forward in a different direction.

Offender restoration into the community is equally important. As I’ve led our Veterans’ Treatment Docket, and witnessed our Drug Treatment Courts, I’ve witnessed individuals make real and lasting change that benefits themselves, their families, and, ultimately, our community. These programs, along with the hard work of our probation department, help offenders recognize poor thinking and behavior patterns, often trigged by mental health and substance abuse. It is our job to address the underlying issues bringing offenders into the criminal justice system. Restoration also includes employment. Work brings offenders self-dignity and purpose and enables them to take responsibility for their own financial obligations. Restoration should be available to those offenders who want to make a positive change.

Technology is also an important partner to an efficient criminal justice system. Text messaging court reminders and providing offenders hearing dates while in the courtroom, are simple, cost-effective ways to reduce failure to appear rates, reducing future workload on our court staff and our law enforcement community. Video in-custody arraignments and telephonic civil pretrial hearings are now normal practice. Electronic filing has begun and should be expanded with new software capabilities. At the same time, technology is not the answer to all problems nor is it a substitute to in-person testimony where the court must access credibility.

I am grateful for my time at the Court and the opportunities I have been afforded. I am also grateful for the opportunity I had to meet with voters and hear their valid concerns. For more information about my campaign and vision for the court, please visit my website: johnrpayne.com.

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