Marion County Judge Slagle receives statewide honor

MARION – — Marion County Common Pleas Judge Jim Slagle received statewide recognition last week for his work supporting community corrections, a news release stated.

The Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections awarded Slagle the C.J. McLin Award on Thursday at its annual conference held in Columbus. The award is given annually to an elected official in Ohio who has worked toward the improvement of community corrections, the release stated.

Previous recipients of the award include former Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Attorney General Mike DeWine.

In presenting the award, OJACC noted that Slagle started Marion County’s first felony drug court, helped obtain $2 million is state grant money to improve local community corrections, and as judge has worked to improve public safety and hold criminal offenders accountable, the release states.

Slagle thanked OJACC, as well as the Marion County Common Pleas adult probation department “who are working hard every day to hold offenders accountable and improve the safety of our community.”

Slagle was elected Marion County Common Pleas Judge in 2012. He, along with Judge William Finnegan, preside over all criminal felony cases and major civil litigation in Marion County.

OJACC is an umbrella organization consisting of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, prison officials, probation officers, treatment professionals and others involved in the criminal justice system who work to promote community corrections for the purpose of enhancing public safety.