Providing justice and protecting communities

Judge Helen Wallace

Administrative Judge

Judge Wallace is the first female Administrative Judge of Montgomery County Juvenile Court, leading the large organization of nearly 450 employees who strive to provide individualized justice for children and protect the community, carefully balancing the interests of both. Prior to being elected as Montgomery County’s first female Juvenile Court Judge, Judge Wallace worked as a prosecutor, defense attorney, guardian ad litem, family law and civil litigation attorney for nearly twenty (20) years. Judge Wallace earned her law degree from George Washington University Law School after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Cincinnati and attending Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.  While obtaining her education, Judge Wallace interned for the United States Department of Justice, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Cincinnati Public Defender’s Office and United States Senator John Glenn’s Office. Judge Wallace presides over specialized dockets including Juvenile Life Court and Juvenile Treatment Court. Life Court offers mental health support and rehabilitation to youth. Judge Wallace encourages family involvement and collaboration between treatment providers, law enforcement and the youth in an effort to reduce recidivism and promote positive, healthy futures. Treatment Court assists in rehabilitation of juveniles who have been adversely affected by drugs and alcohol. The program aims to reduce substance abuse and recidivism by providing judicially supervised treatment, case management, drug testing, community supervision and use of incentives.   Judge Wallace secured the H.E.L. P. (Helping Everyone Learn Program) grant from the Ohio Supreme Court in 2019 to take a unique, innovative approach to better understand the needs of a child. The grant funds neuropsychological evaluations on youth before the Court.  These evaluations give great insights on behavioral issues and overall brain development.  Once issues are identified, the Court works to implement interventions to remediate and teach youth through cognitive behavior instruction and education that is tailored to their needs.  Judge Wallace believes this approach will increase success in teaching children and reduce recidivism. Judge Wallace oversees young adults transitioning from Children Service’s custody to independence. Judge Wallace works with the State of Ohio’s Bridges Program and Children Service’s to ensure that transition plans have been executed for each young adult and that the young adult understands and knows about all the resources available to them. Judge Wallace created Book Nooks all around the courthouse to promote reading.  The Book Nooks provide free books (donated by the community) to all families that enter the Court. Judge Wallace resides in Washington Township, Ohio with her husband of nearly 25 years and her daughter who is in her senior year of high school. Judge Wallace has a 20 year old son who is a combat medic in the U.S. Army.  In her free time, Judge Wallace loves to spend time with her family, swim, read and hike.