Governor Mike DeWine appointed Republican Magistrate Rhonda Burggraf as judge of Marion County Family Court.
Burggraf, of LaRue, Ohio, is replacing Judge Robert Fragale, who retired from the court last month, ending his 40-year career in the legal profession, 30 of which he served as a Marion County judge. Burggraf will assume office on January 9th alongside fellow family court Judge Larry N. Heiser. Burggraf must run for election in 2024 to retain the seat.
The Marion County Republican Party Central Committee decided to endorse Burggraf as the candidate to succeed Fragale and sent a letter to DeWine that “an overwhelming number of committee members voted to recommend Rhonda Burggraf for the appointment to Marion County Common Pleas Court.”
“Burggraf’s experience within the Family Court system for the past fifteen (15) years, as well as holding the position of current Magistrate for the Family Court, makes her the logical choice for the soon-to-be vacant position when Judge Robert Fragale retires,” Marion County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Ken Stiverson said.
The Marion Women’s Club applauded DeWine’s appointment saying Burggraf is dedicated “to our community and the courts.”
Burggraf started her law career as a law clerk at the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court before serving as a district hearing officer for the Ohio Industrial Commission. Burggraf then advanced to become an assistant prosecuting attorney for Crawford County, then Marion County. She practiced privately at Burggraf Law as the principal attorney until she returned to Marion County as a probate investigator and family services coordinator. She is currently a Marion County Family Court magistrate.
Burggraf graduated from the University of Dayton with a law degree. She also graduated from Wittenberg University with a bachelor of science in political science.
Burggraf belongs to the Marion County Bar Association, the Women’s Business Council, the Marion Noon Kiwanis, and the Class of 2023 of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute. She serves on the Marion Rotary Club‘s grant and scholarship committee and is the organization’s secretary and 5K director.
According to the Ohio Bar Association, magistrates have the same authority as a judge, except that they only conduct jury trials if the parties agree. A magistrate’s decision must be adopted by the judge who assigned the case. As judge, Burggraf will hear and decide family law cases in Marion County, Ohio. These cases include child support, delinquent children, divorce, guardianship, private custody, dissolution, and adult criminal cases.
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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 “Rhonda Burggraf” by Rhonda Burggraf. Photo “Mike DeWine” by Governor Mike DeWine. Background Photo “Courtroom” by Carol M. Highsmith.
