Warren T. Edwards
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Criminal Division
Warren T. Edwards received his undergraduate degree from Capital University in 1995 and his law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law in 2001. Upon receiving his law license, he joined the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office, where for almost two decades he successfully prosecuted thousands of felony crimes. His efforts resulted in a reputation as a “tough on crime” trial prosecutor, who had convicted dozens of murders to sentences of life in prison. Several cases he handled garnered national media coverage, including the prosecution of Columbus SWAT Officer Steve Smith’s killer, the Volunteers of America Warehouse Arsonist, and the prosecution of Michael Slager for both the arson of Judy Malinowski, and three years later for her murder from that arson, a case that made Ohio legal history by being the first to preserve a murder victim’s testimony via deposition for trial, and ultimately resulted in the passage of “Judy’s Law”, and is memorialized in the Emmy Award winning documentary “The Fire That Took Her”.
Mr. Edwards was elected Judge of Marion’s Common Pleas Court in November 2018. During his six-year term, Edwards also served as the Administrative Judge of that Court. In this role he made many changes to the Court. He brought the Marion County Courthouse into compliance with Ohio Supreme Court security guidelines and ensured that those facing or being held on felony charges were no longer released due to jail overcrowding by revoking a 1999 “catch and release” order thereby ending the “revolving door” to Marion’s justice system. He also re-wrote the Local Rules of Court, appointed defense counsel for arraignment hearings to protect accused rights, adopted fax and e-filing.
Additionally, as Administrative Judge, Edwards secured more than $5.43 million in total grant funds for the Marion Court system which helped fund the Marion County Adult Probation, which helped pay for all aspects of the operations of the department. Without these grants, local tax dollars would have to fund the necessary operations of the probation department. Edwards also spearheaded numerous restoration projects in the historic Marion County Courthouse. Edwards ran both Common Pleas Court’s specialized dockets, helping those who deal with addiction issues overcome their drug abuse and lead productive, law-abiding lives and re-enter society after a period of incarceration.
From 2019 to 2025, Edwards presided over thousands of both Civil and Criminal cases of various types during his time on the bench. He also held more jury trials than any other judge in Marion during that time, including 16 in 2022 and 22 in 2023.
At the conclusion of his term as Judge, Edwards joined the Muskingum County Prosecutors Office, where he specializes in the prosecution of complex felony crimes. To this role, Edwards brings his belief in personal accountability, real consequences for criminal conduct, protecting the community, ensuring the rights of victims as well as the accused, the pursuit of justice free from political influence, and equal application of the law regardless of who you are, who you know or how much money you have.
Edwards has been married to his wife for over 30 years and has two adult children. He is a member of the Muskingum County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, The Muskingum County Bar Association and the National District Attorneys Association.
Mr. Edwards was elected Judge of Marion’s Common Pleas Court in November 2018. During his six-year term, Edwards also served as the Administrative Judge of that Court. In this role he made many changes to the Court. He brought the Marion County Courthouse into compliance with Ohio Supreme Court security guidelines and ensured that those facing or being held on felony charges were no longer released due to jail overcrowding by revoking a 1999 “catch and release” order thereby ending the “revolving door” to Marion’s justice system. He also re-wrote the Local Rules of Court, appointed defense counsel for arraignment hearings to protect accused rights, adopted fax and e-filing.
Additionally, as Administrative Judge, Edwards secured more than $5.43 million in total grant funds for the Marion Court system which helped fund the Marion County Adult Probation, which helped pay for all aspects of the operations of the department. Without these grants, local tax dollars would have to fund the necessary operations of the probation department. Edwards also spearheaded numerous restoration projects in the historic Marion County Courthouse. Edwards ran both Common Pleas Court’s specialized dockets, helping those who deal with addiction issues overcome their drug abuse and lead productive, law-abiding lives and re-enter society after a period of incarceration.
From 2019 to 2025, Edwards presided over thousands of both Civil and Criminal cases of various types during his time on the bench. He also held more jury trials than any other judge in Marion during that time, including 16 in 2022 and 22 in 2023.
At the conclusion of his term as Judge, Edwards joined the Muskingum County Prosecutors Office, where he specializes in the prosecution of complex felony crimes. To this role, Edwards brings his belief in personal accountability, real consequences for criminal conduct, protecting the community, ensuring the rights of victims as well as the accused, the pursuit of justice free from political influence, and equal application of the law regardless of who you are, who you know or how much money you have.
Edwards has been married to his wife for over 30 years and has two adult children. He is a member of the Muskingum County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, The Muskingum County Bar Association and the National District Attorneys Association.