Christopher M. Berhalter at a glance
- Current role
- Common Pleas Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Ohio · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Christopher M. Berhalter
Common Pleas Judge · Belmont Co. Common Pleas Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge on the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations Division in Ohio, appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in July 2023 to succeed Judge Frank Fregiato
- Private Practice: Partner at Sommer, Librati & Berhalter in Martins Ferry, Ohio, from 1996 to 2000
- Judge Berhalter’s career spans private legal practice, prosecutorial service, and multiple judicial appointments, with a strong background in both law and community service
Education
Additional information
- Began his new judgeship on September 1, 2023, serving the remainder of Fregiato’s unexpired term and must run for election in 2024 to retain the seat.
- Earlier Judicial Service: Held various judicial roles, including acting county court judge
- One of several judges on the Belmont County Common Pleas Court, which handles serious civil cases, major criminal cases, and family law matters such as divorce, custody, and support
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
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.
Instructions for submitting exhibits or notifying the court of witnesses.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance recommends advance ground rules for documents, exhibits, screen sharing, and pre-marking exhibits for remote hearings.
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 ↗
Statewide
Ohio's statewide virtual-court guidance states that litigants, attorneys, and the public should be instructed not to record the hearing.
The court should instruct the litigants, attorneys, and the public to not record the hearing.Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Ohio Judicial Conference Directory official judicial roster ↗Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings ↗