---
title: "Joel C. Fichter | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joel-c-fichter"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Joel C. Fichter

Massillon Municipal Court · Municipal Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Massillon 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 of the Massillon Municipal Court in Ohio, serving a six‐year term beginning January 1, 2020, with a career spanning decades in law and public service
- 2004–2007 (Acting Magistrate & Acting Judge)
- 1984–2007, with Stergios & Kurtzman Co., L.P.A. for over 20 years, then as sole practitioner for 3+ years (Private Practice)

### Education


### Additional information

- 2020, six‐year term (Elected Judge).
- Appointed January 1, 2008 by Judges Edward J. Elum and C. Roland Centrone (Full‐time Magistrate).
- Judge Fichter presides over the Massillon Municipal Court, the court of original jurisdiction for western Stark County, Ohio.
- Former commissioner of the City of Massillon Civil Service Commission; board member of the Recreation Board, Community Hospice of Stark County, Massillon YMCA, and Washington High School Alumni Scholarship Fund.