New Richland County juvenile court judge says raising six children helped prepare him

April 3, 2019

New Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley takes the oath of office on Tuesday afternoon, administered by Domestic Relations Court Judge Heather Cockley. McKinley's wife, Ann, holds the Bible during the ceremony at the Juvenile Court.

April 2, 2019

MANSFIELD -- New Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.

Moments later, the 52-year-old told an overflowing juvenile courtroom that raising six children with his wife, Ann, helped pave his way to the bench.

"They were a blessing to raise. They provided me with some preparation for the work I will be doing," McKinley said as the room erupted with laughter. "Don't ask for any details."

McKinley was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine last Wednesday to replace retiring Judge Ron Spon, who left after 26 years on the juvenile court bench.

"This is a great day. It's good to have my family and so many friends, new friends and old friends, who are here today," McKinley said after taking the oath from Domestic Relations Court Judge Heather Cockley. "I am grateful to take on this significant responsibility.

"I will do my best to help struggling children realize change while always keeping in mind my duty to keep our community safe," said McKinley, who has served as a domestic relations/juvenile court magistrate since he graduated from law school in 1998.

"To the best of my ability, and by the grace of God, I will endeavor to see these children through the eyes of their own experience, always keeping in mind the need to make sure our community is safe," said McKinley, a native of Ada, Ohio, whose grandfather was a former Common Pleas court judge in Hardin County.

 

New Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley hugs his wife, Ann, after being sworn in on Tuesday afternoon.

McKinley said his court will follow the "balanced and restorative justice model" that Spon used during his time as judge.

"It served our community well for 26 years," McKinley said, adding the three components of the model are community protection, personal accountability and competency development.

"Community protection will be first and foremost in my mind," he said. "Children will be held personally accountable for their actions, because that is ethically right and its therapeutic for them.

"The court will do all it can to understand a child's weaknesses and vulnerabilities and help a child succeed in those areas that were contributing to the child's destructive behavior," McKinley said.

New Richland County Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley speaks to a packed juvenile courtroom on Tuesday afternoon after being sworn in to replace long-time Judge Ron Spon, who retired last week after 26 years on the bench.

"I appreciate that Judge Spon has left this court in great shape. The staff of this court is to be commended for their devotion for continuing to help struggling kids and ensuring our community is safe," the new judge said.

The ceremony was attended by Common Pleas court judges Brent Robinson, Phil Naumoff and Philip Mayer, as well as retired Judge James DeWeese.

Before McKinley was sworn in, Mayer cautioned those in attendance to listen closely to the oath of office.

"It's very important we all understand that our oath is to uphold the laws of the United States and the State of Ohio and the Constitutions of Ohio and the United States," said Mayer, the county's probate court judge.

"It can be very difficult at times because we all have our personal beliefs, who we are, what we're made of, our families, our structure. There are times we have to follow the law and that's probably one of the most difficult challenges for any judge, especially if there is some conflict as it relates to perhaps some other long-held beliefs and thoughts," Mayer said.

McKinley has been married to his wife, Ann, for 28 years. They have six children, ranging in age from 18 to 27. They also have one grandson.

McKinley, who earned a bachelor's degree in finance in 1990 from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., before going to law school, will finish Spon's term, which concludes at the end of 2020. He is expected to run for re-election.

A Bellville resident, McKinley had served as Judge Heather Cockley's chief magistrate since 2011. He was appointed magistrate by Spon in 1998.

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