Judge Schroeder announces candidacy for the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas
In my mind, the most important thing is finding ways to convince young people that heroin is not a a recreational drug you can just try once. They need to learn how dangerous and addictive it is before they try it and learn the hard way.
Judge David Schroeder, sitting Judge of The Ashtabula County Western County Court, has filed
his Declaration of Candidacy Petitions for the Ashtabula County Common Pleas judgeship
currently held by the Honorable Gary Yost, who will be retiring at the end of 2020.
Judge Schroeder, a lifelong resident of Northwest Pennsylvania and Northeast Ohio, completed
his undergraduate studies at Mercyhurst College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
with a concentration in Police Science. He attended the Cleveland Marshall College of Law as an
evening student while working full time at the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, and later
at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, having held the following positions: intake liaison with
the Cleveland Police Department; Magistrate hearing traffic and delinquency matters, and
Interim Legal Director. As a law student, Judge Schroeder distinguished himself by being
appointed to the Cleveland Marshall Law Review, and receiving the Outstanding Student of
Criminal Law award. A 1981 graduate, he was admitted to practice law by successful Bar
examinations to the State of Ohio (1981) and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1982), and has
maintained a private practice in both states since 1982.
During his 37 years as a practicing attorney, Judge Schroeder has handled criminal matters,
domestic relations/family law matters, administrative agency cases and appeals such as
unemployment and workers compensation, and complex civil matters all matters that are
handled by a Court of Common Pleas Judge. Judge Schroeder has also practiced in the Federal
Court system, handling criminal matters as appointed counsel. In addition to his private practice,
Judge Schroeder has been an Assistant Public Defender in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and an
Assistant District Attorney, also in Erie County, Pennsylvania.
In 1996 Judge Schroeder began his tenure as an Assistant County Prosecutor in Ashtabula
County, serving under former prosecutors Greg Brown and Thomas Sartini. He was later
appointed the Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Conneaut, Ohio, and subsequently appointed
Law Director for the city of Conneaut in 2010. During this time frame, Judge Schroeder
maintained a private practice with a local Ashtabula County law firm for approximately 10 years.
Governor John Kasich appointed Judge Schroeder to the bench of the Ashtabula Western County
Court in March of 2013. Judge Schroeder has presided over thousands of criminal and civil
matters during this time frame, and established innovative and cost-effective programs utilizing
existing county personnel and assets to address pervasive problems in Ashtabula County,
including alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Judge Schroeder partnered
with the Ohio Attorney General to initiate a past due fine and cost collection program, which
has increased collections with no additional taxpayer expense. A weekly warrant amnesty
program was initiated which enables individuals with outstanding warrants to voluntarily
appear and begin the process of accepting responsibility to resolve their pending matters.
“When I was sworn in as the judge of the Western County Court in March 2013, I made the
commitment that no man is above the law, and no man is beneath the law. I continue to
recognize the importance of this principal and have treated all litigants, counsel, court personnel
and law enforcement officers with the dignity and respect that they deserve while maintaining
the orderly administration of justice. I look forward to a campaign focusing on the most
important attributes of a good judge: experience, integrity, competence and temperament.”
Judge Schroeder resides in Harpersfield Township with his wife of 36 years, Michele, retired
Chief Probation Officer of the Geauga County Juvenile Court. They have 2 children:, Christopher
is an Assistant County Prosecutor in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, handling death penalty cases and
appeals, and Corinne is an Equine/Agriculture insurance agent for a regional insurance company
who also resides in Harpersfield Township. Judge Schroeder is also an active member of the
Geneva Rotary, and has shared his time and expertise with students at Geneva High School as a
featured speaker in the Life Skills Curriculum.
