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Cynthia Westcott RICE

Cynthia Westcott RICE

For Judge of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/2026

*Top Vote-Getter in General Election

Candidate Details

  • Residence
    Brookfield
  • Email
    judgecyntiarice@gmal.com
  • Website
    judgecynthiarice.com
  • Social Media
    facebook.com/judgecynthiarice
  • Age
    64
  • Occupation
    Judge
  • Education

    University of Akron School of Law, Juris Doctor

    Purdue University, Bachelor of Science, Krannert School of Management

  • Work Experience

    Judge, Eleventh District Court of Appeals                                                 2003 – Present
    Presiding/Administrative Judge                                                               2007, 2016, 2020
    Preside over appellate cases in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage, and Trumbull Counties.
     
    Ohio Judicial Conference
    Executive Committee                                                                             2011 – present
    Criminal Law & Procedure Committee co-chair                                         2011 – present
    Appellate Law & Procedure Committee                                                    2013 – present
    Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Security                      2013 - 2020
     
    United States Attorney’s Office                                                               1999 - 2001
     
    Assistant United States Attorney, General Crimes Division, Youngstown, Ohio
    Responsible for prosecuting to trial assigned federal offenses including firearms violations, drug trafficking, and bank robbery.
     
    Special Assistant United States Attorney                                                 1997 – 1999
     
    Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office                                                       1991 - 1999    
                     
    First Assistant, Criminal Division
    Chief Counsel, Vertical Prosecution Unit, Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force
    Criminal Administrator
    Chief Counsel, Drug Prosecution Unit
     
    Private Practice, Rice Law Offices                                                              1989 – 1993
    General law practice including contracts, probate matters, and family law.

  • Family
    Married with 3 adult children
  • Affiliations

    Ohio State Bar Association

    Trumbull, Portage, Geauga, Lake and Ashtabula Bar Associations

  • Endorsements

    N/A

  • Bar Association Ratings

    N/A

Photo of Cynthia Westcott RICE Cynthia Westcott RICE

Question 1

List your judicial experience (courts and years)

Court of Appeals Judge, 2003-Present

Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice was elected to the Eleventh District Court of Appeals in November 2002.  The court hears appeals from decisions of the trial courts in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage, and Trumbull Counties. Over the past 20 years, Judge Rice has written over 1,500 appellate opinions and decided more than 4,000 appeals.  She has had the opportunity to be a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Second, Seventh and Ninth District Court of Appeals.  She serves on the Ohio Judicial Conference’s Executive Committee and is co- chair of the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

Over the past 20 years, Judge Rice has written over 1,500 appellate opinions and decided more than 4,000 appeals.  She has had the opportunity to be a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court and the Second, Seventh and Ninth District Court of Appeals.  She serves on the Ohio Judicial Conference’s Executive Committee and is co- chair of the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee.


Question 2

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

Over 10 years as a state and federal criminal prosecutor

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

Over 10 years as a state and federal criminal prosecutor


Question 3

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

The trial courts are on the frontline dealing with the consequences of our communities’ woes, whether it is the foreclosure crisis, increased crime or the opioid epidemic. I would like to apply my experience as a judge and criminal prosecutor to do all I can to assure the safety of Trumbull county’s citizens and access to fair and efficient courts.

Abbreviated Candidate Answers

The trial courts are on the frontline dealing with the consequences of our communities’ woes, whether it is the foreclosure crisis, increased crime or the opioid epidemic. I would like to apply my experience as a judge and criminal prosecutor to do all I can to assure the safety of Trumbull county’s citizens and access to fair and efficient courts.