About Rick
Rick Rodger, Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Union County, Ohio
Republican Candidate for:
Union County Probate and Juvenile Judge
Legal Experience:
Union County Prosecutor’s Office: 2005- present – Marysville, Ohio
Hardin County Prosecutor’s Office: 2001-2004 – Kenton, Ohio
Union County Prosecutor’s Office: 1992-2000 – Marysville, Ohio
Prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases in all Courts in Union County, Ohio.
Prosecuted cases in the Probate and Juvenile Courts involving abused, neglected and dependency cases, Adult Protective Service matters, emergency guardianships, mental illness hearings
Represented Union County, all County Agencies and Townships
Private Practice of Law: 2001 – 2014
Maintained a successful private practice involving divorce, dissolution, child support issues; landlord/tenant issues; collections; probate matters and general business issues.
Village Solicitor – Village of Richwood, Ohio: 2001-2005
Represented the Village in all civil and criminal matters; advised Village Council, Village Fiscal Officer, Richwood Police Department and all other Village Offices.
Schulze & Phillips – 1988 – 2000; Partner - Marysville, Ohio
Represented clients in matters involving domestic relations cases, custody matters, insurance defense and subrogation; collection matters; landlord/tenant cases; real estate issues and general business matters.
Education:
Capital University Law School – Juris Doctor received 1988, Columbus, Ohio
Brigham Young University – Bachelor of Science received 1985, Provo, Utah
Community Activities:
Lifelong Republican; Member of the President's / Century Club
Board Member, Union County Law Library Board – 2010 - present.
Marysville Evening Lions Club- former President
Union County Builder’s Association – Home Show Director
Architectural Review Board Member – City of Marysville
Union County Fair Board Member
Committee for the Tax Levy; Co-Chair - Literature Drop Committee – 2009
Church Leadership Positions
Member – Masons Lodge
Child Assault Prevention Project – Board member
Union County Builder's Association
Professional Organizations:
Union County Bar Association - former President
Ohio State Bar Association – member
American Bar Association – past member
Ohio Prosecuting Attorney’s Association
National District Attorney’s Association – member
Admitted to Practice:
United States Supreme Court
United States District Court – Southern District of Ohio
Ohio Supreme Court
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My entire professional legal career has been in Union County, Ohio. Through my experience as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and private practice, I have continued to focus on issues involving the family, children and victims in order to provide a voice for them before the Court.
As your next Probate and Juvenile Judge, holding individuals accountable for their actions while continuing to strengthen families will be a priority.
Why I wish to be the next Probate and Juvenile Judge?:
I want to continue making a difference in our community. My wife and I have been married 36 years and made a choice to raise our family in Marysville and this community has been very kind to us. Union County, Ohio has proven to be a great place in which to raise a family. As Judge, I will continue to work with law enforcement and others to ensure our community remains family friendly and safe.
As Judge I will support individuals and families in Union County, Ohio. I have been in private practice and have handled many cases involving children and families. As an Assistant Prosecutor, I have prosecuted cases in all three Courts in Union County and have spent many years before the Probate and Juvenile Court presenting cases involving children and families. I have also handled many civil issues involving our County, County Agencies and Townships. I believe that my broad base of experience will benefit Union County and families when I am the next Probate and Juvenile Judge.
In Juvenile Court, many cases involve children who may be abused, neglected and/or dependent and many are placed into foster care. As an Assistant Prosecutor, I have prepared and tried many of these cases to the Court through the years. To be successful with these cases, it is important to build relationships with caseworkers, social service providers, mental health providers, doctors and other medical personnel, parents and law enforcement in order to develop testimony and gather evidence needed to present such cases before the Court. I have been able to forge relationships with these professionals which will serve me well as Judge as I work to improve services that are in place for Union County children and families.
I have practiced law for 30 years and have been an assistant prosecutor for over 28 years. I have spent over 25 years in the Probate and Juvenile Court presenting cases and working with individuals, children and families to address issues which threaten to tear them apart. My goal is to strengthen families and help families remain together. As Judge, I will continue to focus on strengthening families.
Over the years, I have seen many of the same individuals and their children in the Court through the years. It is time to stop this pattern and work to educate individuals and families to better their circumstances and give them the tools to improve their lives and strengthen them and their families.
As Judge, I will:
1. Hold parents, individuals and children accountable for their actions and will work to prevent children from moving to the adult felony and/or misdemeanor system through rehabilitation.
2. Build and maintain relationships with service providers and other agencies to improve existing services in our County for the benefit of families, individuals and children so families can be together;
3. Work to identify and bring new services to the County through collaboration with community partners;
4. Work to address the drug issues facing our community, parents and children and will work to improve the effectiveness of Family Treatment Court;
5. Develop ways to make the Court process more efficient and responsive for all; and
6. I will be respectful of everyone appearing before the Court.
As the next Probate and Juvenile Judge, I will continue working with law enforcement to keep our community safe for our families.
I would appreciate your support to become the next Union County Probate and Juvenile Judge.
Thank you.
Rick
