Trumbull County Family Court...
This website is designed to give you general information on the main areas of responsibility of the Trumbull County Family Court. Family Court is broken down into the following areas: Court of Domestic Relations, Juvenile Court, and Juvenile Detention Center. This website is designed for informational purposes only and cannot be used to seek information regarding cases filed. To inquire or apply for assistance in any of the categories listed, call the Trumbull County Family Court at (330)675-2600.
The Trumbull County Family Court is run under the administration of the two(2) current elected Judges, Honorable Pamela A. Rintala, Administrative Judge and Honorable Richard L. James.
About Our Judges...
JUDGE PAMELA RINTALA
Judge Pamela Rintala was first elected to the Trumbull County Family Court in 1994, becoming the first woman elected to the bench in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas. She was re-elected in 2000 and again in 2006.
A graduate of Warren Western Reserve High School, Judge Rintala attended Kent State University where she obtained a B.A. Degree in Sociology. Following college, she became a social worker in Gallipolis, Ohio, returning to Trumbull County where she served as a detention counselor in the newly established Trumbull County Juvenile Justice Center. Judge Rintala was later promoted to the position of Juvenile Probation Officer during which time she attended law school in the evening at The University of Akron. Upon passing the bar, Judge Rintala practiced law, concentrating in family law issues. In 1988 Judge Peter Panagis hired her as a part-time Court Referee, a position she maintained until her election to the bench in 1994.
While serving, Judge Rintala has created the Solace Center, a supervised visitation center and a specialized docket Family Dependency Treatment Court. The Family Dependency Court handles cases of parents who are in danger of losing their children due to addiction to drugs or alcohol. In addition, Judge Rintala, in association with her colleague on the bench, Judge Richard James, has established a special projects fund to assist in the payment of Guardian Ad litems to represent the best interest of the children in cases that come before the Court.
Judge Rintala remains committed to the families of Trumbull County by providing fair access to the Court and ensuring that the children are provided for and protected.
JUDGE RICHARD JAMES
Judge Richard L. James (Ric) was appointed to the Trumbull County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court in 1993. He won the full-term elections in 1994, 2000 and 2006.
He is a 1969 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, attended Duke University, and graduated from Hiram College in 1973.
Prior to assuming the bench, Judge James worked as a Firefighter in Fairbanks, Alaska and, then worked day turn at Republic Steel while attending Law School at the University of Akron at night. He graduated from Law School and passed the Bar Exam in 1981. He then worked as an Assistant Law Director for the City of Warren, while maintaining a private law practice.
Judge James has been married for 30 years, has two adult children and four grandchildren.
While on the bench Judge James has been instrumental in creating a community service program for the at-risk youth.
He received the 2011 “President’s Award” from the Trumbull County Bar Association for “outstanding accomplishments or achievements during the prior year and over his lifetime which has benefited the Bar Association and the public.”
Judge James remains compassionately committed to providing services to the citizens of Trumbull County in a fiscally responsible manner.