Experienced Prosecutor Seated By Kasich as Franklin County Environmental Judge
Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- Governor John Kasich today announced the appointment of Dan Hawkins as the newest Franklin County, Ohio Judge for the Environmental Division of the Municipal Court.
Prior to his appointment, Hawkins, 37, was an Assistant County Prosecutor and Director of the Special Victims Unit under Franklin County Prosecutor, Ron O'Brien.
The Environmental Court has wide jurisdiction over local laws related to building, housing, air pollution, sanitation, zoning, and safety codes in addition to hearing general matters also administered by the Municipal Court.
As Director of the Special Victims Unit, Hawkins was charged with prosecuting some of the most serious criminal cases in Franklin County, including murder, rape, child abuse and domestic violence. He supervised six other prosecutors and performed over 70 jury trials including high profile cases of Adam Saleh, the man who abducted and murdered OSU student Julie Popovich in 2005, and Richard Enyart, who was sentenced to over 365 years in prison for the rape of several children in his north side neighborhood.
Dan is a graduate of DeSales High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology, from Bowling Green State University, and earned his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Law. Since 1999, he has served in the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. He has been involved with the Central Ohio Sexual Assault Task Force, is a member of the Franklin County Violence Against Women Act Advisory Board and the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Additionally, he has represented the Franklin County Prosecutor's office in various community organizations and provided training to law enforcement and other prosecutors.
He and his wife Amy have three children
Hawkins must run in November 2013 to retain the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term, which ends January 7, 2016.
Richard F. Kruse, Gryphon USA, Ltd., http://www.gryphonusa.com, 614-885-0020 17, [email protected]
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