---
title: "Jack R. Puffenberger | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jack-r-puffenberger"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Jack R. Puffenberger

Lucas Co. Probate Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Lucas Co. Probate Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: 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

- In December 2024, he was elected presiding judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, a role effective Jan
- 1987–1991: Judge, Toledo Municipal Court
- Administrative Judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas
- Puffenberger denied wrongdoing, stating the program aligns with judicial duties to promote public understanding of justice

### Education


### Additional information

- 1, 2025 In August 2026, he faced a taxpayer lawsuit alleging misuse of $60,000 in public funds for TV commercials promoting the probate court’s educational program, which the plaintiff claimed also benefited his son’s campaign for the probate seat.
- 6, 1990; re‐elected 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014, 2020)
- overseeing the court’s 15 judges across domestic, juvenile, probate, and general divisions.
- He also continues as the administrative judge of the probate division NewsBreak.
- He has served on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Ohio Judicial Conference Executive Committee, and the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline