Judge Richard Sheward is a native of Jackson, Ohio, and graduated from the University of Miami/Ohio University in 1967 with a B.B.A.  Upon graduation, Judge Sheward entered the United States Army where he earned the rank of Captain and was awarded a Bronze Star, Air Medal and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his exemplary service during the Viet Nam War.  He returned to Ohio, entered Capital University Law School, and graduated in 1974.  While in law school, Judge Sheward served as a legal intern to the United States Attorney.  It was during his internship that Judge Sheward first became interested in criminal law and prosecuting cases. After graduating, he accepted a position as Assistant Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney.

 Judge Sheward served two years as an assistant prosecutor.  In 1976, Judge Sheward co-founded the firm of Sheward & Weiner, a general practice litigation firm which existed until Judge Sheward was elected to the Municipal Court Bench in 1987.  During his years in private practice, Judge Sheward was appointed Referee of the Franklin County Probate Court, Special Prosecutor for the Columbus City Attorney and Franklin County Prosecutor, and as a Mediator for the State Board of Personnel Review, State Department of Mental Health, OCSEA, AFSCME and CWA.

 In addition to his practice with Sheward & Weiner, Judge Sheward spent the next several years actively involved in professional and civic activities.  He was a member, and ultimately President of the American Inns of Court, Robert M. Duncan Chapter, Chairman of the Columbus Bar Association Criminal Law Committee, President of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association, Director of the Upper Arlington Booster Club, Member of the Board of Trustees of Easter Seal Society of Central Ohio, Fund Advisor to the Jeffrey Endowment, and a member of the Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations, Columbus Bar Foundation, Upper Arlington Civic Association, Agonis Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Amvets, Viet Nam Veterans of America, Community Lodge No. 684, Charity Newsies, and a 32nd Degree Mason.

 Judge Sheward also continues to support his alma mater and the City of Columbus by becoming a member of the Touchdown Club of Columbus, and serving as a member of Capital University Law School’s Dean’s Council and the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Voluntary Services.
 
 In 1987 Judge Sheward was first elected to the bench of the Franklin County Municipal Court.  Three years later he was elected to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, a position he continues to hold.  During his tenure as a Common Pleas Court Judge, Judge Sheward has distinguished himself by being elected as both the Presiding Judge and the Administrative Judge by his peers.  Further, in his last two elections—1996 and 2002—Judge Sheward won by more than 67%.

 Judge Sheward’s legal career spans over 34 years and his judicial career spans 22 years.  In that time, he has presided over 20 trials on average per year during his last term. He is licensed to practice in Ohio, before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court.  Judge Sheward’s honors include appointment to the Kentucky Colonel (1992 – present), Bravo Honoree (1993), Who’s Who in America (1992 – present), and Who’s Who in American Law (1987 – present).

1.  What aspect of your job as a judge do you like the most?

That’s an easy question.  It’s the people perspective that brings me to work every day.  My job really is about working with human emotions: greed, love, hate.  They all come together in a competitive arena.  Add to that mix talented attorneys and it makes a dynamic display.  I am fortunate enough that I am in a position where I have been elected to manage how the game is played.  It is fascinating to see how the people bring the law to life.

 
2.  What have you learned about being a judge since you first took the bench in 1987?

Being a judge has been the greatest legal education there is.  As a judge, I am perpetually learning more law.  Virtually every day I get to dig through the law to clarify fine points and put the statute or rule into action when ruling on a case.

3.  What type of cases are tried in your courtroom?

As a Common Pleas Court Judge, I hear civil cases where the amount of money disputed exceeds $15,000.00 and criminal cases that involve felony (as opposed to misdemeanor) charges.  Surprisingly, the cases that go to trial are fairly evenly split between criminal and civil, even though I have far more civil cases on my docket.  Right now, I am carrying approximately 730 active cases.

4.  What is your approach for handling cases that come before you?  

I strive to maintain an orderly court out of respect for the witnesses and litigants who are involved.  That means I expect attorneys who practice in my court to appear in a timely fashion and exhibit simple manners.  I find that this benefits everyone.

5.  What is one of the more memorable cases you have heard as a judge?  

There have been hundreds of cases tried in my courtroom over the years, but one of the most remarkable involved an individual who confessed to a murder in front a law school class where homicide detectives were enrolled as students.  The defendant in the case had committed a series of burglaries a good number of years of ago.  Another judge sentenced to him to 6-7 years in prison for those crimes.  While in prison, the defendant earned his college degree.  After serving his prison term, he earned his master’s degree.

One of the local law school professors took an interest in the individual because he seemed to have turned his life around.  The law school professor therefore occasionally asked the former prisoner to speak to one of his evening law school classes.  During the course of the presentation, one student asked the former prisoner if there were any crimes that he had committed but for which he had not been punished.  With very little reluctance, the speaker admitted that he had committed a murder, which at the time, was unsolved.  The speaker reasoned however that it was safe to talk about because the statute of limitations had passed since the murder happened long before he was imprisoned for the burglaries.  

Unbeknownst to the speaker, two homicide detectives were enrolled in the class.  Upon hearing the confession, the detectives reviewed the “cold cases” and realized that the murder that their guest lecturer had spoken of was in fact an unsolved crime.  The detectives in turn contacted the prosecuting attorney who quickly informed them that there was not a statute of limitations on murder, as the speaker had believed there was.  Consequently, the detectives who sat in the lecture, in conjunction with the Prosecuting Attorney’s office charged the speaker with murder.  

When the case eventually came before me, nearly 12 years had passed since the commission of the murder.  This case stands out from the hundreds of other cases because of the quirky way a criminal confessed to none other than a class of law school students.  But, it also demonstrates justice may sometimes be slow, but it surfaces in the end.

6.  What do you consider before sentencing defendants who have either pled guilty or been found guilty of a crime?

First, I consider whether it was an offense of violence and take into account the harm to the victim.  I also consider the age of the offender, and his or her prior record.  When the offender is young, and does not have a criminal record, it is more likely that probation will serve as appropriate punishment.  Finally, I think about what kind of social support the offender has.  Does the offender have a job that he or she can keep?  What is the family situation?  Is the offender financially supporting a family?  All of these things run through my mind before I impose a term of imprisonment, or order the offender placed on community control (probation).  It is important to me that everyone who comes into my court is treated fairly and taking these factors into consideration ensures that the sentences I impose fairly reflect the offense.