Complete History of Wadsworth Municipal Court Judges

The Wadsworth Municipal Court  was established in the late 1970s and early 1980s as Medina County’s western population expanded. The court operates with a single elected judge and handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, civil disputes, and preliminary felony hearings.  Recent court reports provide the most reliable historical record of the judges who have served the court. From those records, we have compiled a complete history of Wadsworth Municipal Court judges.

Chronological List of Judges

Judge David Hensal

Service: 1977–1986

Judge David Hensal is identified in court records as the earliest judge associated with the Wadsworth Municipal Court.

His service predates the modern structure of the court and likely corresponds with the transition period when the Wadsworth Municipal Court was being organized.

Judge Hensal represents the founding era of the court.

Judge James Kimbler

Service: 1986–1996

Judge James Kimbler served for approximately a decade after Judge Hensal.

During this period:

The Wadsworth area experienced suburban expansion
Court caseloads increased
Traffic and criminal filings grew

Judge Kimbler presided during the court’s early development.

Judge Stephen B. McIlvaine

Service: 1997–2023

Judge Stephen McIlvaine served more than 25 years and was the longest-serving judge in the court’s history.

During his tenure:

The court handled thousands of cases annually
Jury trials became routine
The Wadsworth area continued to grow

Judge McIlvaine presided over several decades of criminal and traffic cases and became closely associated with the court.

Judge Susana B. Lewis

Service: 2024–Present

The current judge is Susana B. Lewis, who began serving in 2024.

She presides over:

Criminal cases
Traffic cases
Civil matters
Jury trials

Her election marked a generational transition for the court.

Evolution of the Wadsworth Municipal Court

Founding Era (1970s–1980s)

• Court established
• Early judicial leadership
• Smaller caseload

Growth Era (1990s–2010s)

• Rapid suburban expansion
• Increasing criminal filings
• Larger traffic docket

Modern Era (2020s–Present)

• High-volume docket
• Jury trials
• Modern administration

Why This History Matters
Most criminal cases in western Medina County begin in the Wadsworth Municipal Court, including:

• OVI
• Domestic violence
• Assault
• Theft
• Drug possession

Understanding the judges who shaped the court provides insight into how the court operates today.