Melissa Upthegrove
Susan Wollscheid
WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — Two local attorneys — Melissa Upthegrove and Susan Wollscheid — are vying to become the next Washington C.H. Municipal Court Judge, as longtime judge Victor Pontious’s final term will expire at the end of this year.
Both Wollscheid and Upthegrove provided bio information and shared insight into their professional experiences and judicial philosophies with the Record-Herald. This November general election race is on all ballots county-wide.
Upthegrove has a juris doctor degree from the Ohio State University College of Law and a bachelor of arts degree from the City University of New York. She is licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio (1996 to present) and in the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (2015 to present).
Upthegrove served as a magistrate at Fayette County Probate/Juvenile Court (2001-2011); a law director (prosecutor) in the Village of Sabina, Clinton County (2009-2018); and an acting judge in Washington Court House Municipal Court in 2005. She has also operated a local private law practice, Upthegrove Law, from 2001-2023.
“My judicial philosophy is that judges should apply the law as written,” said Upthegrove. “I will look at the original intent of the legislature to determine how the law would apply to my set of facts. I would review each case with an open mind, without any preconceived opinion on how cases should be decided. I will be a fair and impartial decision maker.”
Wollscheid was born and raised in Fayette County, and attended both Miami Trace Local Schools and Washington Court House City Schools.
“I married Fred Wollscheid and we have two children, Sydney and Nicolais. Once both of my children were in school full-time, I decided to further my education,” said Wollscheid.
Wollscheid attended Southern State Community College and then transferred into an accelerated bachelor’s program through Wilberforce University. She obtained her juris doctor degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. She has practiced law in Fayette County since May of 2010.
Wollscheid has taken on several roles during her practice, including acting as prosecutor, public defender, administrative hearing officer for CSEA, appellate attorney, attorney for children and parents in juvenile court, Guardian and Litem in custody-related cases and child protective services cases, attorney for children and adults in criminal cases, small claims, and non-support cases.
“While working in our restaurant (Ranchers Roast Beef), I gained valuable experience as well,” she said. “I handled scheduling, ordering, accounting, reporting, supervised employees, maintained compliance with laws and regulations, and engaged with the public. These skills will be crucial to running the court efficiently. Throughout my career, I have developed working relationships throughout Fayette County that will be valuable in the role of judge.”
Wollscheid said her judicial philosophy includes looking “at the evidence presented in each case fairly and impartially, then apply the current law to the facts of that case in making a decision. If necessary, I will look to the legislative intent to guide my interpretation of the law.”
Both candidates were asked how they will balance being an independent judge and an elected official if elected.
Upthegrove responded, “I will follow the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct on and off the bench: ‘I will act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. I will avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. I will not participate in extrajudicial activities that will interfere with the performance of my judicial duties. I will adhere to the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, which sets forth the duties of a Judge acting in their official capacity, to avoid any possible conflicts. I will perform my judicial duties without bias, prejudice or harassment.’ I will adopt the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct to apply the law as it is written and protect the rights of citizens.”
Wollscheid said she believes her duty as an elected official is to be an independent judge.
“I plan to achieve this first by being available to the court during all hours the court is open,” she said. “Next, I will be fair, impartial and consistent when deciding cases and when sentencing. Each case will be decided based only upon the facts and evidence presented and applicable law(s).”
As to why voters should cast their ballots for her, Wollscheid responded, “I will run the court efficiently. One example being, that I will utilize technology to enhance the court’s ability to communicate and transfer information to aid in scheduling and processing cases quickly. Also, I will work with staff and outside sources to ensure we have adequate resources to address mental health and substance abuse issues. These tend to be the underlying issues of most cases before the court.”
When asked the same question, Upthegrove responded, “The citizens of Fayette County should vote for me because I have the experience necessary to be a fair and impartial judge. Every position that I have held since graduating from law school was with the purpose of one day becoming a judge. I am familiar with the types of cases that come before the municipal court. I will listen to the parties and render decisions that are fair and according to the law. I live in Fayette County and care about its citizens. I have been a board member and volunteered for various community organizations throughout the years. I want to continue to serve my community in the capacity as the next Washington Court House Municipal Court Judge. I will treat everyone who comes before me with respect.”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Applications for absentee ballots to be mailed for the election must be received by the board of elections by close of business on Oct. 31. Absentee ballots, returned in person or via a method other than US mail, must be received by the board of elections by close of polls on Election Day.
The remaining early voting hours at the Fayette County Board of Elections are as follows:
Monday, Oct. 30: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 31: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 1-3: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nov. 5: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
