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Janet Rath Colaluca
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Janet Rath Colaluca was a judge on the Cleveland Municipal Court in Ohio. She was appointed to the court by Governor John Kasich (R) on April 12, 2016.[1] Rath Colaluca lost a re-election campaign in the general election on November 7, 2017.
Colaluca was previously a judge on the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court in Cleveland, Ohio. She was appointed to the court by Gov. John Kasich (R) on December 21, 2012, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge Kathleen O'Malley, and took office on January 7, 2013. Colaluca was defeated in her bid for election to a full term in November 2014.[2][3]
Biography
Colaluca received her B.S. in business administration from John Carroll University and her J.D. from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.[2][4]
Before she became a judge, Colaluca served as a magistrate for the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, and in the Mayor's Court in the Village of Bratenahl. She also maintained a private practice, specializing in family law.[2][4]
Elections
2017
- See also: Ohio local judicial elections, 2017
Ohio held local judicial elections for municipal jurisdiction trial courts on November 7, 2017. Ballotpedia provided coverage of the municipal court elections that took place within the largest cities by population in Ohio. Jazmin Torres Lugo defeated Joseph F. Russo and incumbent Janet Rath Colaluca in the Cleveland Municipal Court (full term commencing January 2, 2018) general election.[5]
| Cleveland Municipal Court, Full Term Commencing 1/2/2018 General Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Jazmin Torres Lugo |
36.03% | 18,387 |
| Joseph F. Russo | 33.09% | 16,886 |
| Janet Rath Colaluca Incumbent | 30.88% | 15,757 |
| Total Votes | 51,030 | |
| Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "2017 General Election Official Results," November 22, 2017 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The judges of the Ohio Municipal Courts are each elected to six-year terms. The elections for this court are nonpartisan contested elections with partisan primaries. To serve on this court, a judge must be a resident of the municipality, licensed in the state, and practice law for six years or serve as a judge of court of record.[6]
2016
Ohio held general elections for local judicial offices on November 8, 2016. A primary election took place on March 15, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 16, 2015.
General election
Tonya Jones defeated Janet Rath Colaluca in the general election.
| Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division–Karner Seat), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Tonya Jones |
54.12% | 200,135 |
| Janet Rath Colaluca | 45.88% | 169,637 |
| Total Votes | 369,772 | |
| Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "Election Results," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
Primary election
Janet Rath Colaluca ran unopposed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division Republican primary election.
| Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division–Karner Seat), Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Janet Rath Colaluca (unopposed) |
100.00% | 61,087 |
| Total Votes | 61,087 | |
| Source: Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "Election Results," accessed March 16, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 391 judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are all selected in an identical manner. Qualified individuals wishing to join the bench must participate in partisan primary elections followed by nonpartisan general elections.[7]
The chief judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are chosen by peer vote and serve for one year.[7]
Qualifications
To serve on an appellate or general jurisdiction court, a judge must be:[7]
- a district or county resident (for court of appeals and common pleas judges);
- at least six years practiced in law; and
- under the age of 70.
Under the Ohio Constitution, a judge who reaches 70 years of age may be assigned by the chief justice to active duty, receiving payment on a per-day basis in addition to whatever retirement benefits he or she is entitled to.
2014
See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2014
Colaluca ran for re-election to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.
Primary: She was successful in the Republican primary on May 6, 2014, receiving 52.8 percent of the vote. She competed against John Mayer.
General: She was defeated in the general election on November 4, 2014, after receiving 49.7 percent of the vote. She competed against Francine Goldberg.
[8][9] [3]
Cleveland bar association ratings
According to the compiled results at Judge4Yourself.com, Colaluca received an average rating of 4 out of 4 by local Cleveland bar associations in 2014. Those break down as:
- Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: Excellent
- Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association: Excellent
- Norman S. Minor Bar Association: Excellent
- Ohio Women's Bar Association: Excellent[10]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Janet Rath Colaluca Cleveland Municipal Court. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Cuyahoga County, Ohio | Ohio | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Cleveland Municipal Court, "Governor Kasich Appoints Janet Rath Colaluca to the Cleveland Municipal Court," April 13, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Court News Ohio, "Governor appoints Colaluca to Cuyahoga County Court," December 21, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ohio Secretary of State, "2014 Election Results," accessed May 3, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, "Judge Janet Rath Colaluca"
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "2017 Candidate List," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "2014 Candidate List," February 26, 2014
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Unofficial Race Results All - May 6, 2014 Primary Election
- ↑ Judge4Yourself.com, "2014 Republican Primary Ratings," accessed May 3, 2015
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