Judge Kevin Greer to seek fourth term

Judge Kevin L. Greer has announced that he will be seeking a fourth term as judge of the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Divisions.

Judge Greer first took the bench on Feb. 9, 1997.

During his first term, Judge Greer developed a monthly driver's improvement program held on Saturday mornings for first-time offenders. He, his Probation Department and members of the community traveled with juveniles and their parents to Columbus for the Scared Straight program.

He also started a community service program for delinquent and unruly youth who are required to work throughout the county. Over the past four years, 500 miles of road have been covered and approximately 2,500 bags of trash recovered.

As a result of various programs like those previously mentioned, together with the hard work and dedication of the Highland County Prosecutor's office as well as law enforcement within the county, the number of traffic tickets filed in Juvenile Court has been reduced from 505 in 1997 to 108 in 2013.

In addition, the number of delinquent and unruly complaints has been reduced from 584 in 1997 to 329 in 2013.

Judge Greer computerized the court in 1997. As a result, a system was developed in Probate Court wherein legal counsel receive a monthly report of all cases pending with timelines for due dates. This system has resulted in a more efficient and timely resolution of probate actions.

Enforcement of the financial obligations of the parties to a case has been another focus of Judge Greer during his first three terms. Those who owe court costs or fees are required to report on a regular schedule until their obligations are paid. As a result, over $2,830,000 has been collected since 1997, helping fund not only the court but also county government.

As an example, $197,434 has been collected as repayment of indigent legal fees, $212,610 to offset detention costs and $1,705,789 to the general fund and miscellaneous costs. More than $206,000 has been collected in restitution to partially compensate victims.

Even though in 1998, Judge Greer expanded the hours of operation of the court to 48 per week, the general fund appropriation for the court, exclusive of the Ross County Detention Center appropriation, was less in 2013 than in 1998.

Judge Greer has been able to keep the expense of operating the court at or below 1998 levels in part by computerizing the office, cross-training employees and presiding over all cases filed instead of hiring a magistrate to handle part of the caseload. Judge Greer has been able to keep his docket current, having no cases pending at year's end during his first three terms as set forth by the time guidelines of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Judge Greer has received special recognition from the Corrections Receptions Center for outstanding leadership to the youth of central Ohio. He received the GLAD award from the Highland County Mothers Against Drunk Drivers and the Outstanding Service award from the State of Ohio Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

The Ohio Educational Service Center recognized Judge Greer for outstanding leadership in advancing the cause of the county school system, and he received the Highland County Friend of Education Award from the Highland County Educational Service District Governing Board.

Judge Greer and his wife, Kristy, recently received the Friend of Center Award from the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center. Judge Greer has participated as a mentor in the Ohio Supreme Court Judges Mentor Program.

Judge Greer attended Leesburg-Fairfield High School and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Fairfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was inducted into the Highland County Sports Hall of Fame. Judge Greer is a member of several civic organizations and a member of the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church.

Judge Greer and his wife are proud parents of two sons, Ryan and Ross, two special daughters-in-law, Katie and Lauren, and four beautiful grandchildren, Gavin, Kailyn, Gaige and Kyson.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Highland County Juvenile and Probate Judge since 1997," Judge Greer said. "It has and will continue to be my goal every day to treat each person that comes before the court with respect and each case with the importance and attention required to reach a just result. If afforded another term, I will continue to serve ethically and address each case efficiently and effectively."