Alan C. Triggs seeks re-election to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, in the Nov. 3 general election. Triggs has held the seat since 2021.
In a questionnaire submitted to Surround Sound News, Triggs said he is running because he remains "deeply committed to serving our community with fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law." He said he wants to continue ensuring that every person who enters the courtroom is heard, treated with dignity and receives a decision based solely on the facts and the law.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, General Division (Term Commencing Feb. 10, 2027)
- Party affiliation: Democrat (nonpartisan race)
- Residence: Anderson Township (since 1998)
- Family: Married 28 years; one daughter
- Education: Walnut Hills High School; bachelor's in accounting, Memphis State University (1991); Juris Doctor, University of Akron School of Law (1994); Master of Laws, Concord School of Law
- Endorsements: AFL-CIO; Hamilton County Democratic Party
Experience and public service
Triggs has served at every level of Ohio's trial court system. According to his Judicial Votes Count profile, he worked as an assistant Cincinnati city prosecutor from 1997 to 2001, then spent a decade as a Hamilton County magistrate from 2001 to 2011. During that time he also served as magistrate for the Villages of Lincoln Heights and Woodlawn and the Cities of Silverton and Golf Manor.
Triggs left the bench in 2011 to work as general counsel for CMI Inc., a subsidiary of MPD Inc., where he served until 2018. He also maintained a private law practice focused on tax and accounting matters, which he has operated since 1995.
He returned to the judiciary in 2018 as a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge. He was elected to the Common Pleas bench in 2021, where he has served since.
Triggs said his family has a long tradition of public service, including police officers, firefighters and City of Cincinnati maintenance workers.
On the issues
Courtroom experience: Triggs told Surround Sound News that the key difference between himself and other candidates is the breadth of his legal and judicial background. He said he has served as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, giving him a balanced view of the criminal justice system. He also pointed to his corporate law experience and his Master of Laws degree in business law.
Reducing felony case delays: Triggs said implementing stricter discovery deadlines for prosecutors would significantly reduce delays. He identified untimely discovery disclosures as the primary cause of continuances and said the time police agencies take to provide body-worn camera footage is a major contributor.
Courtroom management: Triggs said he runs his courtroom with an even temper and treats every person with respect. He said he has developed a database of prior decisions and legal research that allows him to address recurring motions promptly.
Leadership philosophy: Triggs said the best advice he ever received was that effective leadership "does not require raising one's voice or displaying anger to maintain control of a situation."
