---
title: "Jill Worthington | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-worthington"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Jill Worthington

Van Wert Municipal Court · Municipal Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Van Wert Municipal Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: Municipal Court 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

- Judge Jill T. Worthington has held the role of the judge of Van Wert Municipal Court in Ohio since November 5, 2010, and is the second female judge elected in Van Wert County at age 39
- She pioneered the Van Wert Veterans Court, a specialized docket certified by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2021, aimed at reducing stigma and improving outcomes for veterans in the justice system.
- She later held the role of Van Wert City Law Director and prosecutor in Van Wert Municipal Court (2003–2006), and as a Senior Claims Attorney at Central Mutual Insurance Co. (2007–2010)
- Joined the bench in 2010 after a long legal career that began in 2002 as a public defender attorney at the Law Offices of Steven L. Diller.

### Education



### Additional information

- In 2025, Judge Worthington appeared before the Van Wert City Council to explain a five percent raise request for municipal court employees, citing staff retention challenges and pay disparities with other municipal courts in the region
- She has served on the YWCA of Van Wert County Board of Directors for six years, was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2004, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Van Wert
- She is admitted to practice in the U.S. Federal District Court (Northern District of Ohio) and the U.S. Supreme Court
- Judge Worthington is active in numerous organizations, including the Van Wert Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and the American Judges Association.