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Kristen D Guardado

Kristen D Guardado

Canton Municipal Court
Full Term Commencing Jan. 1, 2024

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Q&A

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Canton
  • Email
    GuardadoForJudge@gmail.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/GuardadoForJudge
  • Age
    52
  • Occupation
    Senior Trial Counsel and DV Prosecutor at the Canton City Prosecutor's Office
  • Education

    University of Akron, School of Law, Juris Doctorate 1995

    University of Akron, B.S.B.A. – Finance 1992

    McKinley Senior High School 1989

     

  • Work Experience

     

    Canton City Prosecutor's Office -Senior Trial Counsel - (01/ 2009 to present)

                                                  DV Prosecutor - 11/1998 to present    

                                                  Assistant Prosecutor - (11/1995 to 01/2009)

                                                  Legal Intern - (01/1994 to 11/1995)

    Current Responsibilities:

    ·       Supervise prosecutors and trials

    ·       Oversee all domestic violence cases

    ·       Supervise the legal interns

    ·       Evaluate criminal cases for charges and review untried indictments

    ·       Prepare search warrants and facilitate signing with a Judge and Clerk

    ·       Work with all police departments to provide assistance and advice

    ·       Provide legal training to police & community

    ·       Assist with specialized dockets, Polaris & diversion programs

    ·       Special Prosecutor for Massillon Municipal Court

    ·       Special Prosecutor in the past Stark County Common Pleas & Grand Jury

    ·       In charge of Liquor Hearings, Objections,  and assist Attorney General

    ·       Work with Income tax department on Income Tax Warrants

     

    Private Practice - (01/1999 - to Present)

    4600 Beverly Avenue NE, Canton, Ohio 44714

    Phone 330.497.2447

    ·       Family Law - Domestic Relations and Juvenile

    ·       Guardian ad litem in dependency, neglect and abuse, juvenile and domestic relations cases

    ·       Probate, estates and adoptions

    ·       Business litigation for small companies

    ·       Personal injury and other civil litigation

  • Family
    Married (Vince) and two children, Vincent -25 and Nicholas -22
  • Affiliations

    Previous Elected Experience:

    Plain Local Board of Education

           Elected: 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017

            ·       Served as:  President, Vice President, Student Achievement Liaison, and Legislative                        Liaison

            ·       Numerous Committees:  Redistricting, Facilities, Stadium, Bond Issue, Levy, Audit,                          Focus Groups, and Strategic Planning

            ·       Board Representative for community partners and nonprofit boards.

     

                                  Current Community Involvement:

     

    Stark County Bar Association                                 (since 1996)

                                  Executive Committee (2020-2023)

                                  Family Law Committee (since 2002)                              

                                  Disputed Fee Committee (since 2011)                            

    Stark County Family Court GAL Committee              (since 2011)

    American Bar Association                                       (since 2014)

    Ohio School Board Association                                (since 2001)

    National School Association                                    (since 2001)

    Women’s Board of Aultman Hospital                        (since 1998)

            Angel Auction Committee (since 1998)

            Past member of Nominating Committee (2013-2014)

            Volunteer Aultman Gift Shop (1998 – 2002)

    Project KARE Board                                              (since 2012)

              Chairperson (since 2020)

    Stark Domestic Violence Collaborative                    (since 1999)

    Stark County Association for Justice - Trustee         (since 2011)

    Golden Eagle Athletic Association-Auction Comm.    (since 2007)

    Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame Committee        (since 2010)  

    Fraternal Order of Police Assoc.- McKinley Lodge     (since 2011)

    Canton Ex Newsboys                                            (since 2016)

    Women’s Impact                                                   (since 2023)

     

    Member Little Flower Catholic Parish &  Member St. George Syrian Orthodox Church

     

                                               Past Community Involvement:

    Stark County Planning Committee (2009-2012)

    Canton Ballet Board (2012-2013)

    Canton Palace Theatre - Board of Trustees (1996 - 2001)

    Board of Trustees - Community Wellness Center (2006-2008)

    Wishes Can Happen Auction Committee (2007-2008)

    American Cancer Society - Cattle Barron’s Ball Committee (2007-2010)

    Volunteer Junior Achievement (1992-1994)

    Stark County Children Services and Advocacy Council (2003-2009)

    Pro Football HOF Festival - Security Committee (1997-1999)

    PTO at Barr, Frazer, Glenwood and Oakwood (2002- 2015)

    Red Cross BASH Committee (2013 -2020)

    Volunteer Eagle Spirit Shop (2007-2020)

  • Endorsements

    Endorsed for the Canton Municipal Court race by:

    Canton Professionsal Firefighters Local 249 

    Stark County for Justice (formerly the Trial Lawyers) 

    Ironworkers Local 550

    AFL-CIO Hall of fame Labor Council

     

    Previously awarded:

    Stark Regional Chamber of Commerce 20 under 40!

    Attorney General Special Achievement in Domestic Violence Advocacy 

  • Bar Association Ratings

    Recommended - Stark County Bar Association - 2023

     

Photo of Kristen D Guardado Kristen D Guardado

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

None.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

None.

Question 2

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

My qualifications include my 29-years of experience at the Canton City Prosecutor's Office working in the Canton Municipal Court, 23-years in private practice appearing in civil litigation and other courts and my proven fiscal responsibility as an elected board member for 20-years for the Plain Local Board of Education.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

My qualifications include my 29-years of experience at the Canton City Prosecutor's Office working in the Canton Municipal Court, 23-years in private practice appearing in civil litigation and other courts and my proven fiscal responsibility as an elected board member for 20-years for the Plain Local Board of Education.

Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

         I am running for the open judicial seat in the Canton Municipal Court. I have spent my career in the municipal court and my experience both criminal and civil makes me the most qualified candidate for this position. I am the domestic violence prosecutor and the senior trial counsel with the Canton City Prosecutor’s Office. I served 5-terms on the Plain Local board of Education.       

         I am always looking at ways to improve the judicial process and help modernize the Canton Municipal Court. I pushed for and helped develop the 1st time Offender Program & I pushed for and helped create the Income Tax Warrant Relief Program.  If elected as a Judge for the Canton Municipal Court, I would like to add a misdemeanor Veteran’s Court. On a monthly basis, there is 40-50 veterans in jail on misdemeanor cases that a misdemeanor Veteran’s Court would help.

         I am running for the Canton Municipal Court because I truly like helping people get on the right track whether it is getting their license back or garnishing wages for damages that were never paid. If elected, I will use all of my experience to continue to streamline the court. I will be respectful, flexible and promise to make decisions on a case by case basis by applying the law based on the set of fact presented.

         I respectfully ask for your vote in November for Canton Municipal Court Judge.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

         I am running for the open judicial seat in the Canton Municipal Court. I have spent my career in the municipal court and my experience both criminal and civil makes me the most qualified candidate for this position. I am the domestic violence prosecutor and the senior trial counsel with the Canton City Prosecutor’s Office. I served 5-terms on the Plain Local board of Education. I am always looking at ways to improve the judicial process and help modernize the Canton Municipal Court. I pushed for and helped develop the 1st time Offender Program & I pushed for and helped create the Income Tax Warrant Relief Program. If elected as a Judge for the Canton Municipal Court, I would like to add a misdemeanor Veteran’s Court. On a monthly basis, there is 40-50 veterans in jail on misdemeanor cases that a misdemeanor Veteran’s Court would help. I am running for the Canton Municipal Court because I truly like helping people get on the right track whether it is getting their license back or garnishing wages for damages that were never paid. If elected, I will use all of my experience to continue to streamline the court. I will be respectful, flexible and promise to make decisions on a case by case basis by applying the law based on the set of fact presented. I respectfully ask for your vote in November for Canton Municipal Court Judge.