---
title: "Antonio S. Nicholson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/antonio-s-nicholson"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Antonio S. Nicholson

Cuyahoga Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Cuyahoga Co. Common Pleas Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: Common Pleas Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### remote hearing exhibits

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance tells courts to include instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses when remote-hearing information is sent to participants.

Evidence excerpt: Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing ground rules

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.

Evidence excerpt: Documents: Share any documents/exhibits that will be reviewed in advance. Use the share screen function while documents are being discussed during the hearing. Request that the documents are pre-marked for exhibit purposes.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote recording

Scope: statewide

Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.

[Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Official roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster](https://www.ohiojudges.org/directory/ojc-directory/)
- [Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings](https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/courts/virtual-court/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Joined the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas by Governor Mike DeWine on June 3, 2025, and officially took the bench on July 14, 2025, filling the seat vacated by Judge Deena Calabrese, who moved to the Eighth District Court of Appeals
- He held the role of an assistant public defender in both Cuyahoga County and Lake County

### Education

- Began his career in private practice after earning his juris doctorate from Charlotte School of Law in 2014 and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology from Cleveland State University in 2009.

### Additional information

- To retain his seat, Nicholson is running in the general election on November 3, 2026, after advancing from the Republican primary on May 5, 2026
- As a judge, Nicholson emphasizes fairness, accountability, and rehabilitation.
- This election will determine whether he continues in his judicial role beyond the remainder of the term he joined complete
- He has expressed that he uses discretion to understand the reasons behind a defendant’s actions rather than focusing solely on the offense, aiming to apply sentences appropriately.
- He supports the ongoing reforms in Cuyahoga County’s bail system, balancing public safety with defendants’ rights, and believes judges should be elected by the people to ensure accountability.
- Nicholson has over a decade of legal experience.
- representing clients in criminal cases, including those facing substance abuse, mental health challenges, and homelessness.
- He also founded Nicholson Law, LLC, partnering with his twin brother, Anthony Nicholson, and handled both civil and criminal cases, providing pro bono services to those in need