WARREN — Voters in Warren will decide between two candidates for the Warren Municipal Court judge seat in the upcoming election: incumbent Republican Judge Natasha K. Natale and challenger Irene Makridis.

NATALE

Natale was appointed to the Warren Municipal Court in 2023 by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine after the retirement of Judge Thomas Gysegem.

A Warren native, Natale has spent much of her career in public service, focusing on criminal law. She previously worked as a sex crime prosecutor for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ohio Attorney General’s Special Prosecution Unit, where she handled cases involving violence against women and children.

Natale also served as a magistrate in Portage County’s Common Pleas Court, overseeing a wide range of civil cases.

“I love this community,” Natale said. “I’ve seen firsthand how the justice system affects people’s lives, and it’s important to me to serve with fairness, dignity and respect.”

Since taking the bench, Natale has introduced several initiatives to improve the court and community.

She launched the “Steering Clear” workshop, which helps people resolve driver’s license issues while connecting them with nonprofit and state agency services.

She also organized a “Safe Surrender” program, allowing individuals with outstanding warrants to resolve their cases with the help of public defenders and prosecutors. Natale has opened the court to local high school students, inviting them to observe proceedings and discuss the justice system with judges, attorneys and police officers.

Looking ahead, Natale is working to establish Warren’s first Supreme Court-certified drug court to help reduce recidivism and support individuals struggling with addiction.

“I want to ensure people move forward in a positive and productive way,” she said.

When asked what voters should consider, Natale advised, “Look at the candidates’ courtroom experience, the types of cases they’ve handled, and what they’ve done for the community.”

MAKRIDIS

Makridis, a defense attorney with 44 years of legal experience, is challenging Natale for the seat. A graduate of Toledo Law School, Makridis began her career clerking for the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office before working as a public defender. She later opened a private practice, handling criminal, traffic, juvenile and employment cases, as well as bankruptcies and Social Security / disability cases.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of pain and suffering,” Makridis said. “People come to me at difficult points in their lives, and I help them rebuild.”

Makridis is running to bring compassion and efficiency to the court. She proposes creating a specialized domestic violence docket to better track cases and ensure offenders receive counseling and treatment.

She also said she wants to strengthen the probation office by adding more officers and improving case followup. Makridis pointed to courtroom delays as a key issue, noting that hearings often run hours longer than scheduled, frustrating attorneys and defendants.

“I want to help people on a greater scale,” Makridis said. “Many who come to municipal court have made mistakes or faced hardships. They need someone who listens and cares.”

For voters, Makridis stressed her extensive experience and temperament. “I’m older, wiser, and patient,” she said. “I’ll listen to both sides and make fair decisions.”

Makridis accused Natale of giving “harsh” penalties, alleging that sentences of 30, 60, or even 120 days are not unusual under Natale’s tenure, particularly for first-time offenders, she said. Makridis argued these penalties are excessive for a municipal court, where the maximum sentence is six months, and can harm defendants’ families, jobs and benefits, such as Social Security.

She also alleged that Natale does not consistently follow Rule 11 agreements, which are plea deals between prosecutors and defense attorneys, causing frustration among the defense bar.

Natale responded to the allegations from Makridis.

“My sentencing decisions are entirely lawful, proportionate and guided by Ohio’s sentencing principles, which prioritize protecting the public, punishing unlawful behavior and reducing recidivism,” Natale said. “Each case is unique, and I consider all factors, including the offense’s severity and the individual’s circumstances. Violent crimes or those endangering the community require stricter measures to ensure justice and safety. No sentence I’ve imposed has been overturned by the Court of Appeals, confirming their appropriateness.”

On plea agreements, Natale added, “A judge’s role is not to simply rubber-stamp Rule 11 agreements. I carefully review each one, asking evidence-based questions to ensure they are lawful, appropriate and serve the interests of justice. This thorough approach upholds fairness and accountability for all parties involved.”

Makridis addressed claims made by Natale. Makridis confirmed a June 2025 contempt finding by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Cynthia Westcott Rice. Makridis described it as a minor interruption during an evidence dispute in chambers. She said the $500 fine came from a personal injury case.

To Natale’s claims of repeated failures to appear in for civil cases, Makridis explained that her non appearances were due to automatic bankruptcy stays, which she explained legally halt collection cases and lead to their dismissal.

“Once a bankruptcy is filed, the court can’t proceed, and I don’t appear because the case is closed,” she said.