Judge Jessica D'Varga

Judge D’Varga took the bench on the Franklin County Municipal Court on January 3, 2020. She received her bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Dayton in 2002 and her JD from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2005. D’Varga focused her legal practice on criminal defense and worked in several counties throughout the State, defending individuals charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. She was on the board of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, an organization through which she mentored young lawyers and organized and instructed at defense bar CLE's. D’Varga has published several articles on topics in criminal law and was rated both a Rising Star and Super Lawyer from 2012-2020.

D’Varga is the presiding Judge over the Recovery Court program, the court’s polysubstance specialized docket and also launched a diversion docket for emerging adults between the ages of 18-25 called Unleashing Potential (“UP”), which is now in its third year. 

Judge D’Varga is currently the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court and the Chair of the Franklin County Criminal Justice Planning Board. She has played an integral part in several community outreach programs, including sealing clinics, license reinstatement clinics, the Tap In Clinic and the Court’s MARCH program. 

D’Varga resides on the north side with her twin sons. When not on the bench or working in the community, she enjoys running with her friends, staying active with her family, reading and seeing live music.