---
title: "Ronald J. Rice | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ronald-j-rice"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Ronald J. Rice

Trumbull Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Trumbull Co. Common Pleas Court
- State: Ohio
- Role: Common Pleas 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 Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, General Division, elected in 2012, with a long legal career in Ohio and prior judicial service in the Eastern District Court

### Education

- He is a life‐long resident of Trumbull County, a graduate of Brookfield High School, and holds a B.A. in Psychology (1979) and M.A. in American History (1981) from Youngstown State University, plus a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law (1985).

### Additional information

- Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, General Division since 2012, after previously presiding in the Trumbull County Eastern District Court from 1992 to 2012.
- In July 2025, Judge Rice was reported to have pleaded guilty to DUI and an improper handling of a firearm in connection with a single‐vehicle rollover crash in Vienna, Ohio.
- Before joining the bench, Rice practiced law at Ronald J. Rice Co., LPA (1985–2013)
- He also held the role of an arbitrator, part‐time instructor in “Law and Ethics in the Medical Profession” at Youngstown State University, and as president of the Trumbull County Bar Association (2000–2001)
- He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1985 and is licensed before the Ohio Supreme Court, U.S. District Court (Northern District of Ohio), U.S. Court of Appeals (Sixth Circuit), and the U.S. Supreme Court
- Sentenced to two years’ probation, a one‐year license suspension, 180 days in jail (177 suspended), and must forfeit the firearm involved.
- focusing on personal injury, litigation, business and corporate law, and limited criminal defense.
- Rice is a member of the American Judges Association, Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and Trumbull County Bar Association