Murphy appointed by governor to serve late judge’s term

BUCYRUS — Local attorney Patrick T. Murphy has been appointed to the position of Probate/Juvenile Judge in Crawford County Common Pleas Court. The appointment came from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

Murphy, 65, of Bucyrus graduated from The University of Toledo in 1980. He worked for a year-and-a-half with Bucyrus attorney, Ed Wead, before he opened his own law office.

Murphy replaces the late Judge Steven Eckstein who was elected judge and took the bench in 1985 where he remained until his death in March. Eckstein was not seeking re-election to the bench. Murphy won the Republican nomination for the position in the March primary. Murphy will serve out the rest of Eckstein’s term and then run for re-election in November.

“Judge Eckstein was a good man. He ran a tight ship,” Murphy said.

In over 40 years of trying cases all over the state, Murphy estimates that he has litigated around 20,000 cases, many of which involved juvenile law, custody, child abuse/neglect and adoption.

Murphy feels confident that his extensive litigation experience will help him as he assumes the position of judge.

“I have 40 years of experience. Experience matters,” Murphy said. “I understand the rules for juvenile criminal procedures, civil procedures, traffics crimes involving juveniles, rules of evidence and general litigation in these areas.”

After several years of practicing in his own successful firm, Murphy feels it’s time to give something back to this community where he was born and raised. Murphy and his wife of 46 years, Joyce, raised their family here. His children and grandchildren also live locally.

“We have witnessed the denigration of the family unit in Crawford County and frankly all over the country. We have children raising children who were raised by children,” Murphy said. “They’re 25 and they don’t know how to be a parent. We have children who are witnessing drug use and, in some cases, addicted to drugs. Every child deserves to live in a clean, dry home with a parent who loves and takes care of them. I am dedicated to helping these kids.”

Murphy will be sworn in as judge in a special ceremony in Common Pleas Court on Monday, June 8. When asked if he had any trepidation about the new venture, he responded, “I have learned in life you always better yourself by pushing yourself into the unknown. That’s how you expand your own horizons. My field of focus will be this community. I want to help the kids, do noble work for the county and simply give back.”