---
title: "James J. Ong | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-j-ong"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James J. Ong

Tuscarawas County Court · County Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tuscarawas County Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: County Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-27

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Law Director for Uhrichsville (since 2018) WJER Radio
- The appointed County Court Judge for Tuscarawas County, Ohio, succeeding retired Judge Brad Hillyer, with the seat subject to a 2024 election to retain the position
- He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brad Hillyer in January 2023 Court News Ohio
- Ohio county court judge for Tuscarawas County, appointed in 2023 to replace retired Judge Brad Hillyer, with a background in law, municipal legal service, and prior judicial roles
- Partner at the law firm Connolly, Hillyer, and Ong in Uhrichsville
- Acting judge for Tuscarawas County Court
- Seasoned attorney with municipal legal leadership experience, prior judicial service, and a strong local legal practice, now serving as Tuscarawas County’s county court judge

### Education

- J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law and his B.A. from Hiram College
- Bachelor’s degree — Hiram College Court News Ohio+1
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) — University of Akron School of Law Court News Ohio+1

### Additional information

- Ong’s appointment is temporary; he must win the November 2024 judicial election to retain the seat
- Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Tuscarawas County Court in May 2023, taking office on May 29, 2023.
- after being appointed by Governor Mike DeWine following the retirement of Brad Hillyer in January 2023
- As a county court judge, Ong has jurisdiction over various civil and criminal matters in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
- Before becoming judge, Ong was
- As judge, he oversees traffic offenses, local ordinance violations, preliminary criminal hearings, issues search and arrest warrants, and handles sentencing in certain minor criminal cases
- James J. Ong serves as
- Village Solicitor for Dennison and TuscarawasCourt News Ohio+1
- In these roles, he reviewed charges, determined cases for trial, drafted and filed legal documents and warrants, prosecuted criminal charges, and provided sentencing recommendations
- He also earlier acted as
- Ong lives in Dennison, Ohio
- He has described the appointment as an honor and a meaningful opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Hudson “Hud” Hillyer, and his late relative Brad Hillyer’s judicial legacy
- He has indicated an intention to run for reelection when the seat is up for vote

## 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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