Jessica A. Lopez

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

I have not previously served as a judge.

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Question 2

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

As a licensed attorney in the State of Ohio since 2006, I have represented clients in the types civil and criminal cases that come before a municipal court judge. I have experience representing clients in felony and misdemeanor criminal cases as well as evictions and other civil matters. I currently serve as the Miami County Recorder. I use and interpret the law every day to ensure that the Recorder's Office operates in accordance with the law. As County Recorder, I have also worked, on behalf of the Ohio Recorders' Association, with Ohio legislators to develop, analyze and promote legislation that will impact local government. In addition to knowing the law, judges must implement policies and procedures that ensure the efficient administration of justice. As a current county elected official, I have implemented technology and other policy improvements that streamlined operations and made electronic services available to attorneys, real estate professionals and lending institutions. Under my leadership, the Miami County Recorder's Office implemented e-filing for real estate documents and offered access to services including: digitized real estate records dating back to at least 1980, electronic billing, electronic notification systems for filing real estate documents and electronic fraud alert notifications. Many of these improvements allowed for efficiencies for county government and for attorneys, law offices, and taxpayers. Moreover, modernizing operations resulted in significant cost savings for the county. One digitization project alone resulted in an estimated cost savings of over $700,000.00.

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Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running for this seat because I believe that my legal experience and my experience in county government make me uniquely qualified to best serve the citizens of Miami County. Through my legal work in private practice and my work as a county elected official, I have developed the skill sets that will create efficiencies and help lead the Miami County Municipal Court into the future. I have experience implementing technology in a way that improves government operations and transparency while saving the taxpayers money. I will timely issue decisions on cases as justice delayed is justice denied. I will come to work and get the job done. Through my role as a county elected official, I worked in cooperation with the Miami County Veterans' Services Office to address the needs of Veterans. I am passionate about implementing a Veterans' Court in Miami County. Through these specialized dockets, courts can address many of the underlying issues that lead Veterans to become involved in the criminal justice system. As an active member of the community, I am aware of what Miami County Municipal Court needs currently and in the future. I am a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Rotary, Optimist Club and the Miami County Bar Association. Through my work in local government and through my volunteer efforts with these organizations, I have seen the needs of the people in Miami County as well as opportunities to address some of those issues in the county court system.