Case Title: In re Disqualification of Ruehlman

Citation: 2024-Ohio-1306

Docket Number: 

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2024-04-08T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Ruehlman, __ Ohio St.3d __, 2024-Ohio-1306.] 
 
 
 
 
IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF RUEHLMAN. 
WARD v. ROSS ET AL. 
AND 
THE CITY OF JACKSON ET AL. v. WARD. 
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Ruehlman, __ Ohio St.3d __,  
2024-Ohio-1306.] 
Judges—Affidavits of disqualification—R.C. 2701.03—Affidavit dismissed as to 
Ward v. Ross—Affidavit granted as to Jackson v. Ward to avoid appearance 
of impropriety. 
(No. 23-AP-191—Decided March 5, 2024.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, 
General and Domestic Relations Division,  
Case Nos. 23-CIV-0009 and 23-CIV-0088. 
__________________ 
KENNEDY, C.J. 
{¶ 1} Roger Dean Ward has filed an affidavit of disqualification pursuant 
to R.C. 2701.03 seeking to disqualify Judge Robert P. Ruehlman, a retired judge 
sitting by assignment on the Jackson County Court of Common Pleas, General and 
Domestic Relations Division, from presiding over two cases: Ward v. Ross, Jackson 
C.P. No. 23-CIV-0009, and Jackson v. Ward, Jackson C.P. No. 23-CIV-0088.  
Judge Ruehlman filed a response to the affidavit of disqualification. 
{¶ 2} As explained below, Ward’s affidavit to disqualify Judge Ruehlman 
from Ward v. Ross is dismissed because nothing is pending in that case. 
{¶ 3} Ward’s affidavit to disqualify Judge Ruehlman from Jackson v. Ward 
is granted to avoid an appearance of impropriety.  The appointment of a new 
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assigned judge to preside over Jackson v. Ward will be addressed in a separate 
entry. 
Trial-Court Proceedings 
{¶ 4} As stated above, Ward seeks to disqualify Judge Ruehlman from two 
cases: (1) Ward v. Ross, a civil case filed by Ward, and (2) Jackson v. Ward, a case 
in which the plaintiffs sought to have Ward declared to be a vexatious litigator. 
Ward v. Ross, Jackson C.P. No. 23-CIV-0009 
{¶ 5} On January 2, 2023, Ward was stopped by a Jackson police officer 
and issued various traffic citations.  Ward later filed a civil lawsuit, Ward v. Ross, 
against the city of Jackson (“the city”), the state of Ohio, the police officer who 
stopped him, and various other city and county officials.  Judge Ruehlman was 
assigned to the case, effective June 29. 
{¶ 6} On August 15, the judge dismissed Ward’s complaint for failure to 
state a claim upon which relief can be granted. 
{¶ 7} On October 24, the judge presided over a sanctions hearing. 
{¶ 8} On November 22, the judge issued an entry ordering Ward to pay 
attorney fees.  The entry indicated that it was a “Final Appealable Judgment.” 
Jackson v. Ward, Jackson C.P. No. 23-CIV-0088 
{¶ 9} On October 24, the city and other plaintiffs filed Jackson v. Ward, 
seeking to have Ward declared to be a vexatious litigator.  The plaintiffs also sought 
a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction pending resolution of 
their vexatious-litigator claim.  Ward filed a counterclaim against the plaintiffs.  
Judge Ruehlman was assigned to the case, effective November 3. 
{¶ 10} On November 16, Judge Ruehlman granted the request for a 
temporary restraining order and scheduled a preliminary-injunction hearing for 
November 22. 
{¶ 11} During the November 22 hearing, the plaintiffs presented testimony 
from the city’s attorney about Ward’s conduct in legal actions involving the city.  
January Term, 2024 
 
 
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Judge Ruehlman limited Ward’s cross-examination of the city’s attorney, finding 
that many of Ward’s questions were irrelevant to the issue before the court. 
{¶ 12} After the witness stepped down, the judge stated that he had heard 
enough evidence to declare Ward a vexatious litigator.  The following exchange 
occurred: 
 
Judge [Ruehlman]: * * * I’m going to declare—um—you 
Mr. Ward to be a vexatious litigator.  * * *  So, what that means 
then, sir, is this—um—you cannot file anything unless I give you 
permission to file it.  Now, if you’re injured, you know, in a car 
accident or something like that—um—sure you can file it.  If you 
get injured by a doctor, you want to file a medical malpractice claim, 
I’ll review it and I’ll decide whether you can file it.  You can file it.  
So, it’s not going to prevent you from filing suits that are legitimate 
but you can’t file anything unless I give you permission.  If you file 
anything, you’ll be in direct contempt of this court and I will put you 
in jail.  I’ll find you in contempt and put you in jail.  Now, listen to 
me, because I’m the guy you don’t want to play with.  I don’t play 
well.  I was the guy on the playground that nobody screwed with.  
My dad was a boxer.  I was a boxer.  I got five surgeries, plastic 
surgeries to prove that I was the guy nobody wanted to fool with and 
you don’t want to fool with—I have a reputation in my county, you 
don’t fool with Judge Ruehlman.  You just don’t fool with me.  I 
don’t play well.  If you fool with me and file a complaint, any kind 
of complaint without permission, you’re going to jail.  I’ll find you.  
I’ll come over here—I’ll drive over here and we will find you and 
track you down.  You will be locked up.  Now, I deal with sovereign 
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citizens all the time.  I know you don’t have a driver’s license.  
Right, you don’t drive with a driver’s license do you? 
[Ward]: Uh— 
Judge [Ruehlman]: —and  you don’t have a license plate, do 
ya? 
[Ward]: Yeah—uh— 
Judge [Ruehlman]: —well, and I know because of all these 
lawsuits they’ve filed.  They’ve kind of laid off on ya but I want— 
[Ward]: —that’s not true— 
Judge [Ruehlman]: —I recommend they shouldn’t lay off on 
ya anymore. 
[Ward]: But that’s not true. 
Judge [Ruehlman]: Maybe if they—if they pull you over and 
charge you—uh—which they should because you should follow 
the—you got to learn to follow the law.  You live in our—our 
country—if you don’t like our country leave.  If you’re not going to 
follow the law and behave yourself and file these ridiculous lawsuits 
—um—you’re going to come in front of me and I will file—I will— 
I will swiftly put you in jail.  You file anything without permission, 
you’re going to jail.  Now, this is any place.  You can’t file any place.  
* * * 
* * * 
[Ward]: In this county? 
Judge [Ruehlman]: You—in any county.  You file any place, 
you go to Pike County, Vinton County, where you’re from or this 
county, you file anything—anything, federal court, anything, you’re 
going to come in front of me.  And you will be—because you have 
to ask permission before you file anything, you got to ask permission 
January Term, 2024 
 
 
5 
of the court as to whether you can file it and I have to give you 
permission to file it.  If I decide you can’t file it, you can’t file it.  
Um—if you file anything and play around with this ruling, you’re 
going to go to jail.  I’ll find you and track [you] down and put you 
in jail.  I won’t—I won’t—I won’t play around.  I don’t play well.  I 
don’t play well with people that don’t follow the law.  You get 
yourself a driver’s license and get yourself a license plate because—
um—I got a feeling I’m not going to mess with you anymore 
because I’ve given them permission they can—they can—they can 
enforce the law.  They are really—they—they—they haven’t been 
writing you tickets I guess because they’re afraid you’re going to 
file all these complaints and they’re tired of it.  So, now I’m putting 
a stop to it.  There’s no more—there’s no more filing of these silly, 
silly things that you’ve been filing.  It’s not going to happen.  I’m 
not going to mess with you and I’m a guy you don’t want to fool 
with.  Understand me? 
[Ward]: Yeah, Your Honor, for the record I’m not a 
sovereign citizen.  I just want to put that clear, I’m not. 
Judge [Ruehlman]: Well, from what you’ve—what I’m 
reading here it’s clear that you—you fancy yourself as such or 
you’re similar to a sovereign citizen because I’ve read your stuff and 
it doesn’t make any sense.  It’s silly stuff.  You’re just messing 
around with people and you’re wasting our time and I’m tired—I 
don’t like that.  And—uh—we don’t—the court system, we have 
enough to deal with—enough serious stuff to deal with without 
dealing with silly stuff like this that you’ve been filing.  It’s just silly 
stuff.  It’s—it’s just stupid and silly and I’m tired of it and this 
county is tired of it and I think everybody is tired of you filing stuff.  
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You file it without permission.  You go to jail.  Okay?  That’s all.  
Court’s adjourned. 
 
{¶ 13} On November 30, Judge Ruehlman issued a judgment entry 
declaring Ward to be a vexatious litigator and prohibiting him from instituting or 
continuing legal proceedings in the court of claims, any municipal or county court, 
or in any court of common pleas without first obtaining leave to proceed.  In the 
entry, the judge noted that pursuant to Civ.R. 65(B)(2), he had consolidated the 
November 22 preliminary-injunction hearing with a trial on the merits and that 
Ward’s counterclaim remained pending. 
{¶ 14} On December 22, Ward filed this affidavit of disqualification. 
{¶ 15} Because Ward has failed to establish that anything is pending in 
Ward v. Ross, the threshold issue is whether the judge may be disqualified from 
that case. 
No Evidence That a Proceeding Is Pending in Ward v. Ross 
{¶ 16} R.C. 2701.03 provides that “[i]f a judge of the court of common 
pleas allegedly is interested in a proceeding pending before the court, allegedly is 
related to or has a bias or prejudice for or against a party to a proceeding pending 
before the court or a party’s counsel, or allegedly otherwise is disqualified to 
preside in a proceeding pending before the court,” then that party or the party’s 
counsel may file an affidavit of disqualification with the clerk of this court.  
(Emphasis added). 
{¶ 17} Under the plain and unambiguous language of the statute, the chief 
justice’s authority to order the disqualification of judges extends only to those 
matters in which a proceeding is pending before the court.  See R.C. 2701.03(A).  
It is well settled that this language “limits the authority of the [c]hief [j]ustice in 
determining the existence of interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification to matters 
pending before the court of common pleas.”  In re Disqualification of Grossmann, 
January Term, 2024 
 
 
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74 Ohio St.3d 1254, 1255, 657 N.E.2d 1356 (1994).  “[T]he chief justice cannot 
rule on an affidavit of disqualification when * * * nothing is pending before the 
trial court.”  In re Disqualification of Hayes, 135 Ohio St.3d 1221, 2012-Ohio-
6306, 985 N.E.2d 501, ¶ 6.  Therefore, the chief justice has dismissed affidavits of 
disqualification when the underlying case is closed or inactive.  See, e.g., In re 
Disqualification of Kubilus, 155 Ohio St.3d 1210, 2018-Ohio-5412, 120 N.E.3d 5, 
¶ 3, 5. 
{¶ 18} Ward has not presented evidence that shows that anything in Ward 
v. Ross is pending before Judge Ruehlman.  The record shows that Judge Ruehlman 
dismissed Ward’s complaint in that case on August 15 and issued a final, appealable 
judgment on November 22.  Therefore, the chief justice has no authority to rule on 
this portion of the affidavit of disqualification, and it is dismissed. 
{¶ 19} This decision turns now to the allegations Ward has made against 
Judge Ruehlman’s continuing to preside over Jackson v. Ward. 
Affidavit-of-Disqualification Proceedings 
{¶ 20} R.C. 2701.03(A) provides that if a judge of a court of common pleas 
“allegedly is interested in a proceeding pending before the court, allegedly is related 
to or has a bias or prejudice for or against a party to a proceeding pending before 
the court or a party’s counsel, or allegedly otherwise is disqualified to preside in a 
proceeding pending before the court,” then that party or the party’s counsel may 
file an affidavit of disqualification with the clerk of this court. 
{¶ 21} Ward alleges that Judge Ruehlman has a conflict of interest, that the 
judge is biased against him, and that the judge is disqualified for other reasons.  The 
judge denies having a conflict of interest, denies having any bias against Ward, and 
denies that there are any other grounds for his disqualification. 
 
 
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Conflict of Interest 
{¶ 22} In support of the allegation that the judge has a conflict of interest, 
Ward points to a pleading that he filed in federal court attempting to add Judge 
Ruehlman as a defendant in Ward’s federal case against the city’s officials. 
{¶ 23} In response, the judge states that according to his attorney, the 
federal court has not yet added him as a named defendant in Ward’s federal case. 
Bias 
{¶ 24} In support of the allegation that Judge Ruehlman is biased against 
him, Ward points to the judge’s comments during the November 22 hearing.  
Specifically, Ward asserts that the judge (1) labeled him a sovereign citizen, (2) 
suggested a “readiness for physical confrontation and violence” by alluding to the 
judge’s past as a boxer and his reputation as someone not to be messed with, and 
(3) threatened Ward with incarceration if he filed a legal action in any jurisdiction 
without first obtaining permission to proceed.  (Boldface and emphasis sic.)  Ward 
further asserts that in every hearing before the judge, Ward was “humiliated, talked 
down to, threatened, [and] intimidated and [that his] rights [we]re trampled on.” 
{¶ 25} Judge Ruehlman denies having any bias against Ward.  The judge 
acknowledges that he told Ward that he could not file any civil lawsuits without 
prior court approval and that if Ward ignored the court’s order he would be found 
in contempt of court.  But the judge notes that he also advised Ward that if Ward 
had a legitimate complaint, the judge would allow it to be filed.  The judge’s 
reference to plastic surgery on his nose from fights, he states, “was to send [Ward] 
a stern message, that [he is] not a pushover who is going to let [Ward] get away 
with violating [his] orders.” 
Otherwise Disqualified under R.C. 2701.03(A) 
{¶ 26} In support of the allegation that the judge should be otherwise 
disqualified, Ward asserts that the judge’s November 22 comments also support 
disqualifying the judge to avoid an appearance of impropriety. 
January Term, 2024 
 
 
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{¶ 27} Additionally, Ward avers that the judge violated his due-process and 
other rights during the November 22 hearing by, among other things, consolidating 
the November 22 preliminary-injunction hearing with a trial on the merits and 
impeding Ward’s ability to cross-examine the witness during the hearing. 
{¶ 28} The judge’s response to this allegation is the same as his response to 
the allegation of bias. 
Disqualification of a Common-Pleas-Court Judge 
{¶ 29} As set forth above, R.C. 2701.03(A) provides two specific grounds 
and a catchall provision for the disqualification of a judge of the court of common 
pleas.  Granting or denying the affidavit of disqualification turns on whether the 
chief justice determines that the allegations of interest, bias, prejudice, or 
disqualification set forth in the affidavit exist.  R.C. 2701.03(E). 
{¶ 30} The burden falls on the affiant to submit “specific allegations on 
which the claim of interest, bias, prejudice, or disqualification is based and the facts 
to support each of those allegations,” R.C. 2701.03(B)(1).  Therefore, “[a]n 
affidavit must describe with specificity and particularity those facts alleged to 
support the claim.”  In re Disqualification of Mitrovich, 101 Ohio St.3d 1214, 2003-
Ohio-7358, 803 N.E.2d 816, ¶ 4. 
{¶ 31} Ward alleges three bases for the disqualification of Judge Ruehlman: 
(1) the judge has a conflict of interest, (2) the judge is biased against Ward, and (3) 
the judge is disqualified for other reasons, including to avoid the appearance of 
impropriety and for violating Ward’s constitutional rights.  For the reasons 
explained below, because the judge’s disqualification is necessary to avoid an 
appearance of impropriety, there is no need to address the other allegations.  See, 
e.g., In re Disqualification of Kuhn, __ Ohio St.3d __, 2023-Ohio-4882, __ N.E.3d 
__, ¶ 14; In re Disqualification of Celebrezze, __ Ohio St.3d __, 2023-Ohio-4383, 
__ N.E.3d __, ¶ 107. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 32} An appearance of impropriety is not among the grounds for 
disqualification specified in R.C. 2701.03(A).  However, a judge “otherwise is 
disqualified” under R.C. 2701.03(A) when one of the express bases for 
disqualification—interest, relation to a party, bias, or prejudice—does not apply but 
other grounds for disqualification exist.  See In re Disqualification of Schooley, 173 
Ohio St.3d 1241, 2023-Ohio-4332, __ N.E.3d __, ¶ 19 (citing examples of when a 
judge is otherwise disqualified).  Although R.C. 2701.03 speaks in terms of actual 
bias and prejudice, it has long been recognized that “even in cases in which no 
evidence of actual bias or prejudice is apparent, a judge’s disqualification may be 
appropriate to avoid an appearance of impropriety.”  In re Disqualification of 
Crawford, 152 Ohio St.3d 1256, 2017-Ohio-9428, 98 N.E.3d 277, ¶ 6. 
{¶ 33} “The proper test for determining whether a judge’s participation in a 
case presents an appearance of impropriety is * * * an objective one.  A judge 
should step aside or be removed if a reasonable and objective observer would 
harbor serious doubts about the judge’s impartiality.”  In re Disqualification of 
Lewis, 117 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2004-Ohio-7359, 884 N.E.2d 1082, ¶ 8.  “The 
reasonable observer is presumed to be fully informed of all the relevant facts in the 
record—not isolated facts divorced from their larger context.”  In re 
Disqualification of Gall, 135 Ohio St.3d 1283, 2013-Ohio-1319, 986 N.E.2d 1005, 
¶ 6. 
Analysis 
{¶ 34} Because the judge’s repeated comments relating to “find[ing]” Ward 
and jailing him for “direct contempt” would cause an objective observer to question 
the judge’s impartiality, the affidavit of disqualification is granted as to Jackson v. 
Ward. 
{¶ 35} “ ‘If a valid restrictive order has been issued, a court has the statutory 
and inherent power to entertain contempt proceedings and punish disobedience of 
that order.’ ”  Toledo v. State, 154 Ohio St.3d 41, 2018-Ohio-2358, 110 N.E.3d 
January Term, 2024 
 
 
11 
1257, ¶ 23, quoting Planned Parenthood Assn. of Cincinnati, Inc. v. Project 
Jericho, 52 Ohio St.3d 56, 61, 556 N.E.2d 157 (1990).  Contempt may be classified 
as either direct or indirect.  See Burt v. Dodge, 65 Ohio St.3d 34, 35-36, 599 N.E.2d 
693 (1992).  “Direct contempt occurs ‘in the presence of or so near the court or 
judge as to obstruct the administration of justice.’ ”  Id. at 35, fn. 1, quoting R.C. 
2705.01, and is “generally dealt with summarily,” Cincinnati v. Cincinnati Dist. 
Council 51, Am. Fedn. of State, Cty. and Mun. Emps., 35 Ohio St.2d 197, 202, 299 
N.E.2d 686 (1973).  “Indirect contempt occurs outside the court’s presence, and the 
alleged contemnor is entitled to a hearing before he may be convicted and 
punished.”  Burt at 35, fn. 1, citing In re Gonzalez, 70 Ohio App.3d 752, 755, 591 
N.E.2d 1371 (8th Dist.1990), and R.C. 2705.03. 
{¶ 36} Contempt proceedings are also classified as either civil or criminal.  
See State ex rel. Corn v. Russo, 90 Ohio St.3d 551, 554-555, 740 N.E.2d 265 
(2001).  “The distinction is usually based on the purpose to be served by the 
sanction.”  Id. at 554.  “Civil contempt sanctions are designed for remedial or 
coercive purposes and are often employed to compel obedience to a court order.”  
Id. at 555.  Criminal contempt sanctions “are punitive in nature and are designed to 
vindicate the authority of the court.”  Id.  “A party subject to criminal contempt is 
afforded many of the same constitutional safeguards that a defendant in a criminal 
trial enjoys.”  Liming v. Damos, 133 Ohio St.3d 509, 2012-Ohio-4783, 979 N.E.2d 
297, ¶ 11. 
{¶ 37} Regardless of the classification, “[w]here judges have no personal 
knowledge of the alleged act of contempt because of its commission beyond the 
court’s actual physical presence,” the alleged contemnor is entitled to a hearing and 
an opportunity to answer the charge and present evidence.  State ex rel. Seventh 
Urban, Inc. v. McFaul, 5 Ohio St.3d 120, 122, 449 N.E.2d 445 (1983); see also In 
re Chambers, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-180333 and C-180334, 2019-Ohio-3596; 
In re Contempt of Huth, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108501, 2020-Ohio-3177; State v. 
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T.F., 9th Dist. Lorain No. 17CA011175, 2019-Ohio-1039.  “A finding of fact must 
be based on evidence,” and “to find that contemptuous conduct has occurred outside 
the presence of the court, the court must hold a hearing and analyze record 
evidence.”  Disciplinary Counsel v. Gaul, 127 Ohio St.3d 16, 2010-Ohio-4831, 936 
N.E.2d 28, ¶ 55. 
{¶ 38} Trial judges sometimes use strong or stern language to impress on 
litigants the importance of following court orders and the possible sanctions for 
violating court orders.  See Flamm, Judicial Disqualification, Section 16.4, at 461 
(2d Ed.2007) (a judge’s use of colorful language to warn litigants or to drive home 
a point ordinarily does not require disqualification); see also In re Disqualification 
of Forchione, 134 Ohio St.3d 1235, 2012-Ohio-6303, 983 N.E.2d 356, ¶ 31 (a 
judge’s use of “strong words” when warning counsel of sanctions did not require 
disqualification).  And while judges should explain the possible consequence for 
violating court orders, Judge Ruehlman’s “stern message” here about finding Ward 
and locking him up crossed a line that would cause an objective observer to 
question the judge’s impartiality. 
{¶ 39} During the November 22 hearing, Judge Ruehlman said: “If you file 
anything, you’ll be in direct contempt of this court and I will put you in jail.  I’ll 
find you in contempt and put you in jail.”  (Emphasis added.)  The judge repeated 
that sentiment four more times during the hearing, stating:  
 
If you fool with me and file a complaint, any kind of complaint 
without permission, you’re going to jail.  I’ll find you.  I’ll come 
over here—I’ll drive over here and we will find you and track you 
down.  You will be locked up. 
* * *  
If you’re not going to follow the law and behave yourself and file 
these ridiculous lawsuits—um—you’re going to come in front of me 
January Term, 2024 
 
 
13 
and I will file—I will—I will swiftly put you in jail.  You file 
anything without permission, you’re going to jail. 
* * * 
[I]f you file anything and play around with this ruling, you’re going 
to go to jail.  I’ll find you and track [you] down and put you in jail.  
I won’t—I won’t—I won’t play around.  I don’t play well. 
* * * 
You file it without permission.  You go to jail.  Okay?  That’s all. 
 
{¶ 40} While Judge Ruehlman maintains that his words were meant to 
convey that he is “not a pushover” and that Ward would not get away with ignoring 
the court’s orders, the question here is what an objective observer would believe.  
Because an objective observer would reasonably conclude that the judge has 
already determined that Ward would be guilty of direct contempt for which jail time 
is the appropriate punishment—regardless of the evidence adduced at a potential 
contempt hearing—Judge Ruehlman is disqualified from presiding over Jackson v. 
Ward to allay any concerns about the fairness and integrity of the proceedings and 
to assure the parties and the public of the unquestioned neutrality of the trial judge. 
Conclusion 
{¶ 41} The affidavit of disqualification seeking to disqualify Judge 
Ruehlman from Ward v. Ross, Jackson C.P. No. 23-CIV-0009, is dismissed.  The 
affidavit of disqualification seeking to disqualify Judge Ruehlman from Jackson v. 
Ward, Jackson C.P. No. 23-CIV-0088, is granted.  The appointment of a new 
assigned judge to preside over Jackson v. Ward will be addressed in a separate 
entry. 
_________________