Monica E Hawkins
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations/Juvenile Division
Full Term Commencing Jan. 10, 2025
Candidate Details
- Residence
Columbus - Email
shari_stump@fccourts.org - Social Media
- Age
59 - Occupation
Judge - Education
The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Arts & Science in Criminal Justice
The University of Dayton, Masters of Education in Social Agency Counseling
The Capital University Law School, Juris Doctorate
- Work Experience
Judge, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Division and Juvenile Branch
Prosecuting Attorney, City Attorney Zach Klein
Investigator, Federal Public Defender's Office, Capital Habeas Unit, 6th District
Attorney, Franklin County Children Services
Childwelfare Caseworker, Franklin County Children Services
- Family
Single - Affiliations
Judge is currently a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Judicial Conference, Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges, Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges, Franklin County Democratic Lawyers Club, Franklin County Democratic Women's Club. Judge Hawkins is a long-time member of Rhema Christain Center. Judge Hawkins has served on numerous panels, community forums and discussions, and she continues to stay heavily engaged in her community: speaking at schools, participating in moot court competitions, and attending events.
Monica E Hawkins
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
Judge Monica Hawkins was elected Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch in 2018, bringing over 23 years of public service experience working with families in our community. Since taking the bench on January 9, 2019, Judge Hawkins has presided over 17,000 cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect and dependency, termination of parental rights, divorces, dissolutions, custody, visitation, and child support cases. On January 1, 2024, Judge Hawkins was voted as Administrative Judge.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersJudge Monica Hawkins was elected Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch in 2018, bringing over 23 years of public service experience working with families in our community. Since taking the bench on January 9, 2019, Judge Hawkins has presided over 17,000 cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect and dependency, termination of parental rights, divorces, dissolutions, custody, visitation, and child support cases. On January 1, 2024, Judge Hawkins was voted as Administrative Judge.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Hawkins was dedicated to serving families as a Childwelfare caseworker for Franklin County Children Services working with the diverse population of this county then as an Attorney for the agency after she obtained her law license in 2000. Judge Hawkins had over two decades serving families, which also included working as a drug and alcohol counselor, assistant city attorney, an investigator for death row inmates. It was her combined experiences that Judge Hawkins had an epiphany and realized the epidemic and titled it "from the cradle to the grave", and that most inmates she encountered were introduced into the court system as abused, neglected, and dependent children.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersPrior to taking the bench, Judge Hawkins was dedicated to serving families as a Childwelfare caseworker for Franklin County Children Services working with the diverse population of this county then as an Attorney for the agency after she obtained her law license in 2000. Judge Hawkins had over two decades serving families, which also included working as a drug and alcohol counselor, assistant city attorney, an investigator for death row inmates. It was her combined experiences that Judge Hawkins had an epiphany and realized the epidemic and titled it "from the cradle to the grave", and that most inmates she encountered were introduced into the court system as abused, neglected, and dependent children.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Judge Hawkins is a life-long public servant with a passion for justice and compassion for people. She believes this is her calling.
Abbreviated Candidate AnswersJudge Hawkins is a life-long public servant with a passion for justice and compassion for people. She believes this is her calling.