Common Pleas judge seeks re-election

Van Wert independent/contributor content

Judge Charles D. Steele announced he has filed petitions for reelection to the position of Van Wert County Common Pleas Court Judge for the 2012 election.  Judge Steele has served as the Common Pleas Court Judge since 1999.

He is the son of the late Chalmer and Doris Steele of Van Wert and is married to the former Kathy Wilhelm. The couple has three children: Jennifer (Steve) Trittschuh and Suzanne Woodruff of Van Wert and Jonathan (Rachel) Steele of Washington, D.C.  They also have four grandchildren, Robbie and Katie Trittschuh and Madison and Megan Woodruff.

Judge Steele graduated from Van Wert High School and attended East Carolina University. He has a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in American history from St. Francis College, and a law degree from Ohio Northern University.

Judge Steele served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969, including a 13-month tour in Vietnam. He also served as a judge advocate in the United States Army Reserve from 1984 to 2004 and was mobilized for Operation Desert Storm in 1991. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and Army Commendation Medal.

Prior to attending law school, Judge Steele was a teacher and coach at Parkway Local Schools and Van Wert City Schools. After graduating from law school, Judge Steele was an attorney with the firm of Young, Taylor and Steele, and served as an assistant prosecuting attorney.

Judge Steele is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Van Wert County Bar Association, Elks Lodge 1197, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, and First United Methodist Church.

During his term Judge Steele established a probation supervision fee, wherein probationers are required to pay for a portion of their supervision and also established a mediation program that assists litigants in reaching agreements outside of court, saving time and money for both litigants and the county.

In addition, the judge established the Court’s Special Project Fund, which is funded by an addition to court costs. From this fund, the court has been able to pay for the mediation program, supplement the expense of the court’s magistrate program, pay court employees’ travel and education expenses, upgrade technology, and pay for renovations to the courtroom, all without using tax payer money.

Judge Steele is currently researching the formation an intensive drug and alcohol counseling program for probationers to be funded by the Special Projects Fund and an Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction grant.