Kim was born and raised in Montgomery County, Ohio. She earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Wright State University and a law degree from the University of Dayton.

Kim previously served as a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado from 2002 to 2006. 

Kim Melnick was appointed to be a judge in the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court in 2022. She is serving her 1st term. 

Judicial Votes Count, Kim Melnick

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge, handles felony criminal cases from aggravated murder to theft and drug offenses, civil cases with a monetary value of $15,000 or higher from medical malpractice to contract disputes, and appeals from administrative agency decisions.

- As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge, handles felony criminal cases from aggravated murder to theft and drug offenses, civil cases with a monetary value of $15,000 or higher from medical malpractice to contract disputes, and appeals from administrative agency decisions.

Legal Experience

As of August 23, 2024, Kim Melnick’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Dayton Daily News, Voters Guide: Melnick vs. Schoen for Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge

Aims to make fair decisions, be transparent with information, and protect individual rights while achieving justice for victims.

Perceives and treats non-violent and first-time offenders differently from repeat offenders and violent offenders.

Promises to decide each case on its merits and based on individual circumstances.

Believes that rehabilitation is sometimes possible, but public safety is the most important.

Supports judicial restraint, said, "I have an conservative approach to interpreting the laws of Ohio and the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions...The court has an important duty to apply laws as they are written. A judge that changes the meaning of a law to his/her own meaning is acting outside the intended authority of the court and is speaking for the voters instead of the voters speaking for themselves."

Pledges not to let factors like "race, gender, socio-economic background, for example," to affect the court’s decision

- Aims to make fair decisions, be transparent with information, and protect individual rights while achieving justice for victims.
- Perceives and treats non-violent and first-time offenders differently from repeat offenders and violent offenders.
- Promises to decide each case on its merits and based on individual circumstances.
- Believes that rehabilitation is sometimes possible, but public safety is the most important.
- Supports judicial restraint, said, "I have an conservative approach to interpreting the laws of Ohio and the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions...The court has an important duty to apply laws as they are written. A judge that changes the meaning of a law to his/her own meaning is acting outside the intended authority of the court and is speaking for the voters instead of the voters speaking for themselves."
- Pledges not to let factors like "race, gender, socio-economic background, for example," to affect the court’s decision

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Facebook

Kim Melnick

Kim was born and raised in Montgomery County, Ohio. She graduated from Centerville High School. Kim earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Wright State University and a law degree from the University of Dayton.

As a member of the Violent Crimes Bureau, prosecuted homicide cases.

Member of the Dayton Bar Association and the Carl D. Kessler Inn of Court.

As a prosecutor, Judge Melnick began her career in 1994 with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and returned there in 2006 after serving as a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado from 2002 to 2006.

Serves on the Information Technology and Security Committees of the Common Pleas Court.

As a judge, Melnick believes in upholding the law and ensuring fair and impartial trials.

Endorsed by the Kettering Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #92.

Endorsed by the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #104.

Former Montgomery County Sheriff - Phil Plummer.

Member of the Frederick J. Beard Memorial Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #117.

Endorsed by the Dayton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #44.

Supports community involvement through membership in the Huber Heights/Riverside Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #161.

Kim Melnick was born and raised in Montgomery County, Ohio. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1986 and attended Wright State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1990.

Kim Melnick is currently a Judge at the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in March 2022. She began her legal career in January 1994 with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office and has also served as a Deputy District Attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado from 2002 to 2006. She returned to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office in November 2006, where she held various supervisory roles and was a member of the Violent Crimes Bureau.

Judge Kim Melnick was appointed to the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Bench, General Division, by Governor Mike DeWine in March 2022. She is currently a member of the Common Pleas Court’s Information Technology and Security Committees.

- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.