About Jason Aslinger


Jason Aslinger is a lifelong resident of Darke County, the son of Fred and Bonnie (Berger) Aslinger. He attended Greenville High School, played for the GHS baseball team, and graduated in 1989.

Following high school, Aslinger graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Business Administration (pre-law) while also writing for the university newspaper, BG News. Aslinger then earned a law degree from the Toledo College of Law. During law school, Aslinger was a member of the Federalist Society - and had internships with the Toledo Public Defender and the Sixth District Court of Appeals.

Jason Aslinger's first job as an attorney was with the law firm of Dynes & Garbig in Arcanum. He later moved his practice to Greenville with the firm of Amick & Breaden - and eventually would become a partner in the firm. In 2005, he started his own practice: the Law Office of Jason Aslinger, LLC, where he would remain until his appointment as probate/juvenile judge.

Jason Aslinger married his wife Karin (Funderburg) in 1997, and the Aslingers have three children: Audrey, Jacob, and Hallie. The Aslingers live in Neave Township and attend the Ansonia First Church of God.

Judge Jason Aslinger starts drug probation program


Even before I began my job as Judge, I knew there was a juvenile drug problem in our community. I attended a seminar after I became judge and listened to another judge speak about the "drug court" she created. She was very enthusiastic about her program and thought she was making a difference for the people in her court.

I discussed this idea with our probation department, and then a representative from the Ohio Supreme Court. The Supreme Court seems to favor an approach that gives a lot of attention to long-time addicts. I felt that a better approach, for our smaller rural community, is to try and get to the kids before they develop serious drugs problems.

My staff was ready for the challenge, and we set out almost immediately to start identifying kids that we felt needed some extra attention. These juveniles might have been charged with a drug offense - or tested positive during probation.

Our plan was to have increased accountability by having these juveniles return every-other-week for a court appearance, get an update on recovery status, and have them take a new drug test. We have been having these hearings for several months now. We have already had some great successes.

Our approach is proactive, and in some ways it is the opposite of the "traditional" approach of punishing juveniles after they have already gotten in trouble. We are spending a lot more time encouraging success, rather than waiting around to punish failure.

The Ohio Supreme Court encourages "drug courts" and has given a deadline of January 1, 2013 for all "drug courts" to be certified. We are looking forward to improving our current program and helping more kids, while also seeking Supreme Court certification in 2012. ~ Jason Aslinger

Judge Jason Aslinger cuts court's budget by over $130,000


Press release: Darke County Probate/Juvenile Judge Jason Aslinger recently submitted the Court’s preliminary 2012 budget to the Darke County Commissioners. The proposed budget cuts expenditures from $2,075,608 to $1,938,767, a reduction of $133,841 (or 6.6%) from 2011 to 2012. The Commissioners approved the preliminary budget.

One significant cut was achieved by not replacing a probation officer who resigned and moved to another community. The Court also changed its contract with the West Central Detention Facility to eliminate excess services which were not being fully used. Other reductions occurred as a result of changes with personnel and benefits.

Judge Aslinger commented that the goal was to find the best and most efficient use of the taxpayers' dollars while maintaining the effectiveness of the Court.

The Probate/Juvenile Court receives its funding from the county and the Department of Youth Services (DYS). A portion of the budget cuts were imposed as the DYS grant was significantly reduced from the last fiscal year. “We were able to deal with the loss in the DYS grant and still make significant reductions in the county’s portion of the budget as well,” Judge Aslinger said. “We will continue to seek areas where efficiencies can be found.”

The Court’s budget funds operations of the Probate Court, the Juvenile Court, the Juvenile Probation Department, and the Michael’s Resource Treatment Center (a residential facility with capacity to house up to ten teenage boys). Twenty-four employees are currently paid through the Probate/Juvenile Court budget.

UPDATE: The Court's final 2012 budget was even a little lower, due to a change in the cost of health insurance.

News and links about the Court and Judge Jason Aslinger

Darke County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge

Jason Aslinger took office as judge of the Darke County Common Pleas Court, Probate and Juvenile Divisions, on April 4, 2011 (official press release below).

(click on press release for full-size image)

Video courtesy of Clinton Randall

612 S. Broadway - Before and After

In 2008, Jason Aslinger purchased the building at 612 South Broadway in Greenville. The building had been vacant and unused for many years, last used at a retail shop - The Glass Merchant. Jason Aslinger rehabbed the building himself, and improved downtown Greenville by replacing an outdated eyesore with an updated store front. While the building was originally intended as a place to meet clients (supplementing a home office), the small space ended up being the primary law office for several years.

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