---
title: "Thomas E. Harris | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-e-harris"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-27"
---

# Thomas E. Harris

Ashtabula Co. Common Pleas Court · Common Pleas Judge

## Profile

- Court: Ashtabula 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 General Division of the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, elected in 2014 and currently seeking re‐election for a term beginning February 9, 2027
- His prior judicial role was as Judge of the Conneaut Municipal Court from 1988 until 2014

### Education


### Additional information

- Elected to the bench on November 4, 2014, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alfred Mackey.
- handling a wide range of civil and criminal cases in the county.
- Judge Harris has held the role of president of the Conneaut Rotary Club and the Exchange Club, coached youth baseball and basketball, and volunteered at the Northeast Ohio Soap Box Derby.
- He has also led community initiatives such as the “My Day in Court” program in Conneaut
- He is a lifelong resident of Ashtabula County, raised in Jefferson, Ohio, and a graduate of Jefferson Area High School