Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the appointment of Republican prosecuting attorney Jason Given to the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile and Probate Division.
Given, of Coshocton, Ohio, will be taking the seat held by Judge Van Blanchard, who is retiring from the bench after being appointed in November 2011 upon the death of Judge David Burns. To retain the seat, Given must win the general election in November 2024. Given will assume office on May 1st, 2023.
Given (pictured above, right) acknowledged that he looks up to Burns, Blanchard, and former Judge C. Fenning Pierce as mentors.
According to Given, he considers this opportunity a good way to continue serving the community.
“I also think, at times, inside elected offices, things of that nature, it’s necessary to have some change. Change is good and we all need new challenges. It’s certainly going to be a challenge, but one I’m excited to dive into,” Given said.
Given reportedly doesn’t anticipate making any significant changes to the court’s policies or personnel.
Given has experience working in both public and private organizations. He began practicing law as a member of the Leech, Scherbel, Peddicord legal team. Later in 2009, he was a partner at the newly called Leech, Scherbel, Peddicord & Given law firm. Additionally, Given worked as the Coshocton County’s associate prosecutor for eight years. He was elected to office in 2011 and held it until DeWine’s recent appointment. He served in this capacity for Coshocton County.
Given obtained his B.A. from Capital University and Juris Doctorate from Capital University School of Law.
Given is a member of the Ohio State Bar Foundation and a member of the National District Attorneys Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, and the Ohio State Bar Association. He was given the 2012 Coshocton County Young Leader of the Year Award and the 2012 Statewide Community Service Award for Attorneys 40 & Under. Given serves on the boards of the Sacred Heart Foundation, Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices, and the Coshocton Rotary Club in his neighborhood.
The Coshocton County Commissioners need to appoint a new interim prosecutor by May 1st with the Coshocton County Republican Party, then approve someone to finish the current term ending in 2024.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jason Given” by Jason Given. Photo “Mike DeWine” by Governor Mike DeWine. Background Photo “Coshocton County Courthouse” by Nyttend.
