Judges & courts

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile Division

Full term commencing 2/9/2027

Vote for: 1
Term: 6 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Probate/Juvenile Division judge hears juvenile court cases and oversees estates, guardianships, adoptions and mental health commitments in Licking County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Michael DalSanto

No party listed

Attorney and government teacher · Newark

The gist

Proposes diversion for first-time, low-level juvenile offenders
Pledges an accessible, efficient court for families
Pledges equal attention to the probate docket
Pledges to protect the right to keep and bear arms
Supports local control of county courts and schools

More about Michael

View sources (1)

Proposes diversion for first-time, low-level juvenile offenders
Issues - Michael DalSanto for Judge
Campaign website · Michael DalSanto for Judge · dalsantoforjudge.com
“a diversion process that keeps first-time and low-level juvenile offenders out of the formal system”
Pledges an accessible, efficient court for families
Issues - Michael DalSanto for Judge
Campaign website · Michael DalSanto for Judge · dalsantoforjudge.com
“a court that is accessible and efficient for the families who have no choice but to be there”
Pledges equal attention to the probate docket
Issues - Michael DalSanto for Judge
Campaign website · Michael DalSanto for Judge · dalsantoforjudge.com
“deserve the same attention and care as the juvenile docket”
Pledges to protect the right to keep and bear arms
Issues - Michael DalSanto for Judge
Campaign website · Michael DalSanto for Judge · dalsantoforjudge.com
“that means protecting gun rights the same way it means protecting every other right”
Supports local control of county courts and schools
Issues - Michael DalSanto for Judge
Campaign website · Michael DalSanto for Judge · dalsantoforjudge.com
“Michael believes Licking County should run its own courthouse, its own schools, and its own affairs”

Deborah G. Lang

No party listedIncumbent

Judge, Licking County Probate/Juvenile Court · Newark

The gist

Led creation of juvenile court assessment and mentorship programs
Supports rehabilitation paths for juvenile offenders where possible
Supports a restrained judiciary

More about Deborah

View sources (1)

Led creation of juvenile court assessment and mentorship programs
Meet Deborah | Lang for Judge
Campaign website · Lang for Judge · langforjudge.com
“the creation of the Juvenile Court’s Assessment and Resource Center, the Mentorship Program and the centralized truancy accountability program”
Supports rehabilitation paths for juvenile offenders where possible
Meet Deborah | Lang for Judge
Campaign website · Lang for Judge · langforjudge.com
“While tough on serious juvenile offenders, Judge Lang provides a path to rehabilitation whenever possible.”
Supports a restrained judiciary
Meet Deborah | Lang for Judge
Campaign website · Lang for Judge · langforjudge.com
“a restrained judiciary that does not legislate from the bench”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.