Susana B. Lewis for Judge

I am the Chief Magistrate of the Medina County Probate & Juvenile Court.  I have served the citizens of Medina County as magistrate and chief magistrate for 17 years.  In this time, I have presided over thousands of cases.  I am a proven magistrate and have a balanced and fair judicial temperament.  I have devoted my entire career to public service and am prepared to be your judge.  I am committed to maintaining a safe community for all citizens and make sound decisions regarding safety in my courtroom every day.  I am a member of various community organizations that serve our families. I am part of the court's leadership team, and am highly skilled in the administrative functions of the court. I seek to become the next  judge of the Wadsworth Municipal Court, to serve the people of our community, fairly, impartially with extensive experience and knowledge.      

Unmatched Experience 

As a trial magistrate, my docket consists of juvenile delinquency (criminal) felony and misdemeanor cases, child custody and emergency hearings, juvenile civil protection orders, probation violations, bond hearing, warrants, and more.  I preside over all aspects of cases, from initial appearance, through trial and disposition (sentencing).  I  have written thousands of magistrate's decisions. 

I preside over every type of traffic violation including  traffic crimes, speed violations, operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OVI), and more.  I preside over domestic violence cases and every type of misdemeanor crime.  I have handled hundreds of drug and alcohol related offenses.  I am entrusted to decide the most important  issues regarding children, families and victims of crime, daily.     

I am part of the court's leadership team and provide training to all court staff and supervise magistrates.  I frequently present continuing legal education courses.  I have co-developed numerous court programs and protocols, including COVID-19 safety measures, that kept the court operational and safe during lockdowns. I am skilled in court transitions to a new judge, having assisted and trained court personnel in times of change.

Prior to working as a magistrate, I  served as an Assistant Summit County Prosecuting Attorney for 11 years, from 1994 to 2005.  I prosecuted interstate support cases as well as felony child support cases from grand jury to jury trial.  The year I left the prosecutor's office to become a magistrate, I received the Summit County High Point Award, for my service and dedication.  I served as staff counsel for the Stark County Department of Human Services from 1991 to1994.  I appeared in court daily, and handled cases in the Stark County Family Court, and in the 5th District Court of Appeals. 

Community Involvement 

• Leadership Medina Class of 2014 – Government Day Committee  
• Medina County Coalition for Suicide Prevention 
• Northside Christian Church
• Medina County Alcohol Drug & Mental Health (ADAMH) Board, former Board member
• Medina Health Department - Vaping Taskforce
• Medina County Teen Court
• Medina County Share Cluster 
• Jr. Leadership Medina – Government Day Committee
• Wadsworth City Schools Career Day
• Cloverleaf High School Mock Crash 
• Brunswick High School Health Class 
• High School Mock Trial, Judge 
• Middle School Mock Trial, Judge and Advisor
• Introduction to Criminal Justice (ICJ Project), Mock Trial program for elementary school children
• Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve, former troop Leader, Wadsworth City Schools

Professional Organizations 

• Medina County Bar Association, Juvenile Law Chairperson
• Ohio Association of Magistrate
• The Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College Mentor Program 

Provided Continuing Legal Education  

• The Supreme Court of Ohio Continuing Legal Education
• The Medina County Bar Association 
• Ohio Prosecutor’s Association
• Columbus Bar Association 

About me

I am a graduate of Kean University of New Jersey, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (1987), and the University of Akron School Of Law, with a Juris Doctor degree (1990), and  am licensed to practice law in Ohio. I am fluent in Spanish.  I enjoy mentoring students and teaching them about due process rights. I enjoy introducing students to careers in law.  I aim to inspire young people to pursue their dreams.

My husband and I have been married for 32 years, and are the proud parents of two grown children.  We chose to move to Wadsworth when they were young, to raise them in a safe and friendly community with great schools.  They attended Wadsworth City Schools, and graduated from the University of Akron, just like us. 

I am the daughter of immigrant parents who came to this country in search of a better life.  My parents worked very hard to succeed and set a great example for us, which I strive to honor in all I do.      

I have decades of relevant courtroom experience and am highly involved in our community.  I know and apply the law fairly and have dedicated my entire career to public service.  I am caring and serve with dedication and integrity, and respectfully ask for your vote.