Alan C. Triggs, a sitting Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge, is running for re-election to the General Division bench in the Nov. 3 general election.
Triggs said in his candidate questionnaire that he is seeking another term because he is committed to serving the community with fairness and respect for the rule of law. He said he wants to continue ensuring every person in the courtroom is heard, treated with dignity and receives a decision based on the facts and the law.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, General Division (Term Commencing Feb. 10)
- Party identification: Democrat (Ohio judicial races are nonpartisan on the ballot)
- Residence: Anderson Township (since 1998)
- Family: Married 28 years; one daughter
- Education: Bachelor's in accounting, Memphis State University (1991); Juris Doctor, University of Akron School of Law (1994); Master of Laws, Concord School of Law
- Endorsements: AFL-CIO; Hamilton County Democratic Party
Experience and public service
Triggs has served at every level of Ohio's trial courts. He has been a Common Pleas judge since 2021, according to his candidate profile with the University of Akron's Judicial Votes Count project. Before that, he served as a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge from 2018 to 2021 and as a Hamilton County magistrate from 2001 to 2011.
Earlier in his career, Triggs worked as an assistant prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati from 1997 to 2001 and as an assistant city solicitor. He also served as a magistrate for the Villages of Lincoln Heights and Woodlawn and the Cities of Silverton and Golf Manor from 2001 to 2011. Outside the courtroom, he was general counsel for CMI Inc., a subsidiary of MPD Inc., from 2011 to 2018.
His family has a long tradition of public service. In his questionnaire, Triggs said that tradition includes police officers, firefighters and City of Cincinnati maintenance workers.
On the issues
What sets him apart from other candidates: Triggs said the key difference is the breadth of his legal and judicial experience. He said he has served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, giving him a balanced view of the criminal justice system. He pointed to his corporate law background and his Master of Laws in business law, saying that combination "uniquely prepares me to continue to serve effectively in this post."
Reducing felony case delays: Triggs said stricter discovery deadlines for prosecutors would significantly reduce delays. He identified the time police agencies take to provide body-worn camera footage as a major cause.
How his judicial experience shapes his courtroom: Triggs said effective docket management is essential to ensure each case gets the time it deserves. He said he runs his courtroom with an even temper and has built a database of prior decisions and legal research to address recurring motions promptly.
The general election is Nov. 3.
