David Branstool

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Licking County Common Pleas Court 2010-present.

Licking County Municipal Court, 2003-2010.

I have served as a Judge in Licking County for over twenty years. First elected in 2003, I have been re-elected in 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2018. 

I was first elected to the Licking County Municipal Court in 2003 and served there until 2010.  I have served on the Licking County Common Pleas Court since 2010.  From serious criminal cases to complex civil cases, I have presided over thousands of cases and nearly 275 jury trials.  

In addition to my regular docket, I am the only judge in this county running a drug court program to help offenders get treatment if they are ready to change their lives.  I've been running a drug court for nearly 15 years and this program has been recognized with the Community Service Contribution Award in 2010, and the Licking County Wellness and Recovery Champion in 2014.

I have also taught for the Ohio Judicial College, bar association seminars, judicial conferences, and has presented educational topics to a wide variety of audiences of other judges, attorneys, law enforcement and treatment professionals. 

 

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Question 2

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

Prior to serving as Judge, I was in private practice for 10 years and had an active trial practice in the Courts where I have served.  Serving as a trial lawyer, representing ordinary people gave me valuable insight as to how the law affects real people.  I also gained extensive experience in a wide variety of cases that come before the Court where I now serve.  In addition, I am active in civic and legal associations dedicated to making the judical system accessible and transparent to everyone regardless of financial resources.  I have served on the Board of Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio since 2017 and frequently volunteered with the Licking County Interfaith Legal Clinic while in private practice.

Throughout my career as an attorney, I appeared in court on a daily basis; doing then what I do now as a Judge.  These appearances would have included initial appearances, bond hearings, arraignments, motions hearings, jury trials, change of plea and sentencing hearings, pretrial and status conferences, contested and uncontested divorce hearings, post-decree domestic matters and oral arguments in the court of appeals.  Most of my appellate practice was in the Fifth District Court of Appeals, however, I also represented clients in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running for re-election to continue to improve our justice system and to ensure that our justice system remains fair, independent and neutral in the administration of justice.  I am committed doing all I can to hold those who commit crimes accountable for their actions and to support the recovery and rehabilitation of people who are committed to changing their lives for the better.  I have seen first hand the damage the opioid epidemic has had on our community.  That's why I created two drug court programs in Licking County.  The first in Municipal Court in 2008, the second in Common Pleas Court in 2011 for felony cases, which I still run.  The goal of drug courts is to end addiction related recidivism and to help people restore their lives and I want to continue important programs like this.

I also believe that one of the fundamental promises of our Constitution is that our judical system acheive justice and that jury trials are one of the most important components of our justice system.  Having presided over nealry 275 jury trials, I am convinced that there is no better counterbalance to the erosion of public confidence in our courts than having people themselves decide these important questions.  As a trial judge I have had the privilege of doing what the consitution demands and what the public expects - to try cases and particpate in the purest form of democracy there is.  I hope to continue this important work.