Jazmin G Torres-Lugo
Cleveland Municipal Court
Full Term Commencing Jan. 2, 2024
*Top Vote-Getter in General Election
Candidate Details
- Residence
Cleveland - Email
jazatty1@gmail.com - Social Media
facebook.com/jazmintorreslugo
facebook.com?jazmintorreslugojudgeelect - Age
62 - Occupation
Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court - Education
Undergraduate School and Degree (Year of Graduation): University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, P.R., Political Science, Summer 1984.
Law School (Year of Graduation): Interamerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law, San Juan, P.R., Juris Doctor Degree, Summer 1987.
Jurisdiction of Ohio, United States (1994)- Active
United States Federal District Court of Northern Ohio (1992)- Active
Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (1988)-Active - Work Experience
January 2018- Current- Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court, 1200 Ontario St., 13-C, Cleveland, Oh 44113.
Duties include presiding over civil (up to $15,000) and criminal cases (Misdemeanors and Minor Misdemeanors); Felony preliminary hearings; setting felony and misdemeanors bonds; conducting bench and jury trials; sentencing and post-sentencing violations. I am one of four judges assigned to the specialized domestic violence docket. Member of the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Language Services.September 1999-2017 Trial Attorney, Solo Practitioner, Jazmin Torres-Lugo Law Office, 2012 West 25th Street, Suite 701, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
General Practice. Representing individuals in civil (torts, breach of contract, real estate matters, evictions, etc.), probate court (guardianship), and criminal cases (Felonies: attempt of murder, felonious assault, drug trafficking, etc.) and Misdemeanors (domestic violence, assault, aggravated assault, etc.)) in County and Municipal Courts; some experience in federal criminal cases (drug trafficking only) and some immigration cases (deportation, asylum, etc.); Domestic Relations (divorces, civil domestic violence protection orders, custody, post-decree motions,
etc.); Juvenile Court cases (Criminal and Custody cases); some experience in the Eighth District Court of Appeals.September 1994- June 1999 Housing and Legal Program Director, Spanish American Committee, 4407 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Duties Housing Director: Provided legal advice regarding the Ohio Landlord/Tenant Law; represented landlords and tenants in court. Filing complaints/answering lawsuits, and litigating cases in the Cleveland Housing Municipal Court. Coordinated with Housing Advocates Inc. studies in discriminations related to the rental, lending, insurance, and real estate industries. Creation and coordination of the home-buying and
credit program.
Duties Legal Director: managing and litigating cases in the following areas: domestic relations law, contract law, collections, wills, civil and criminal litigation. - Family
Married for 42 years to Edwin, three children, and six grandchildren. - Affiliations
Member of the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Language Services, Association of Municipal/County Judges, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, American Judges Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio State Bar Association, Northern Ohio
Municipal Judges Association, Black Women’s Political Action Committee, Cuyahoga
County Democratic Women’s Caucus, Former Executive Committee Person, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, 2008 & 2012 member of the Ohio Obama Hispanic Leadership Council, Participant of the Democratic Ohio Voter’s Program from 2008 until became a Judge in 2017, Former Board member of Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center, and the Cleveland Municipal Court mental Health Docket. - Endorsements
Endorsed candidate of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, Cuyahoga County Cleveland City Council, AFL-CIO, Teamsters Local 507, Teamsters D.R.I.V.E., United Automobile/aerospace/Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), Firefighters Local 93, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell, Cuyahoga County Councilman Dale Miller, Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Meredith Turner, Plain Dealer Cleveland.com
- Bar Association Ratings
https://www.judge4yourself.com/judicial-candidate-ratings
Excellent rating from all Bar Associations!
Jazmin G Torres-Lugo
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
January 2018- Current- Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court, 1200 Ontario St., 13-C, Cleveland, Oh 44113.
Duties include presiding over civil (up to $15,000) and criminal cases (Misdemeanors and Minor Misdemeanors); Felony preliminary hearings; setting felony and misdemeanors bonds; conducting bench and jury trials; sentencing and post-sentencing violations. I am one of four judges assigned to the specialized domestic violence docket. Member of the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Language Services.Volunteering for the Driver's License Clinics to assist individuals in regaining their driver's license.
Abbreviated Candidate Answers
January 2018- Current- Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court, 1200 Ontario St., 13-C, Cleveland, Oh 44113.
Duties include presiding over civil (up to $15,000) and criminal cases (Misdemeanors and Minor Misdemeanors); Felony preliminary hearings; setting felony and misdemeanors bonds; conducting bench and jury trials; sentencing and post-sentencing violations. I am one of four judges assigned to the specialized domestic violence docket. Member of the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Language Services.Volunteering for the Driver's License Clinics to assist individuals in regaining their driver's license.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
September 1999-2017 Trial Attorney, Solo Practitioner, Jazmin Torres-Lugo Law Office, 2012 West 25th Street, Suite 701, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
General Practice. Representing individuals in civil (torts, breach of contract, real estate matters, evictions, etc.), probate court (guardianship), and criminal cases (Felonies: attempt of murder, felonious assault, drug trafficking, etc.) and Misdemeanors (domestic violence, assault, aggravated assault, etc.)) in County and Municipal Courts; some experience in federal criminal cases (drug trafficking only) and some immigration cases (deportation, asylum, etc.); Domestic Relations (divorces, civil domestic violence protection orders, custody, post-decree motions,
etc.); Juvenile Court cases (Criminal and Custody cases); some experience in the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
September 1999-2017 Trial Attorney, Solo Practitioner, Jazmin Torres-Lugo Law Office, 2012 West 25th Street, Suite 701, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
General Practice. Representing individuals in civil (torts, breach of contract, real estate matters, evictions, etc.), probate court (guardianship), and criminal cases (Felonies: attempt of murder, felonious assault, drug trafficking, etc.) and Misdemeanors (domestic violence, assault, aggravated assault, etc.)) in County and Municipal Courts; some experience in federal criminal cases (drug trafficking only) and some immigration cases (deportation, asylum, etc.); Domestic Relations (divorces, civil domestic violence protection orders, custody, post-decree motions,
etc.); Juvenile Court cases (Criminal and Custody cases); some experience in the Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
As a judge, I have proven to be an impartial arbitrator of cases, from a simple misdemeanor traffic case to a complex domestic violence case. I have shown equal opportunity access, fairness, judicial temperament, and integrity, treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of color, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. My commitment to considering the seriousness of the offense and its impact on the community demonstrates my dedication to upholding justice and maintaining the well-being of society.
As the first Hispanic female elected in the history of Northeast Ohio, I bring much-needed diversity to the bench, ensuring a more inclusive representation in the legal system. I want to inspire others to persevere and demonstrate that overcoming challenges leads to personal growth and empathy.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersAs a judge, I have proven to be an impartial arbitrator of cases, from a simple misdemeanor traffic case to a complex domestic violence case. I have shown equal opportunity access, fairness, judicial temperament, and integrity, treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of color, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. My commitment to considering the seriousness of the offense and its impact on the community demonstrates my dedication to upholding justice and maintaining the well-being of society.
As the first Hispanic female elected in the history of Northeast Ohio, I bring much-needed diversity to the bench, ensuring a more inclusive representation in the legal system. I want to inspire others to persevere and demonstrate that overcoming challenges leads to personal growth and empathy.