Judge Tonya R. Jones: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Department 3rd Floor, Courtroom 1

Biography

The Hon. Tonya R. Jones is a judge for the Domestic Relations Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio. She was elected to the bench on November 8, 2016. Jones holds the distinction of being the first African-American female to serve as a judge for the court.

Over the course of her judicial career, Jones was instrumental in implementing the Child Support Warrant Recall Program and the Custody-Support Project for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. She currently presides over the Domestic Relation Court’s Families First Program, a program she designed to assist participants with accessing the treatment and supportive services necessary to overcome substance, abuse, mental health, and parenting issues.

Prior to her election, Jones was a magistrate for the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, a position she held since 2014. Before that, she spent a year as a client’s rights officer for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Cleveland, investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, or reported client rights violations.

Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cleveland State University in 1993. She spent the next few years working as a licensed social worker, handling developmental disabilities, mental health, domestic violence, and child protection and advocacy matters. Then, in 1998, she completed a J.D. at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

After graduating from law school, Jones opened her own private practice as a sole practitioner. She worked in that capacity until her appointment to the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.

Her memberships have included the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Norman S. Minor Bar Association, the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, the Ohio Association of Domestic Relations Judges, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She also sat on the Ohio Judicial Conference’s Domestic Relations Law & Policy Committee.

Jones is a resident of Cleveland, where she resides with her husband, Joe, and their two children.

She is registered as a Democrat.

Recent Cases by Hon. Tonya R. Jones

LEE ANDREW MARTIN vs. ANDGELA DELORES MARTIN

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

CINTHIA SANCHEZ MALDONADO vs. OSCAR COLON ALVAREZ

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

JHERICA S. FIELDS vs. ANDRE L. FIELDS

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

LAURA MARIE DUBECKY vs. RICHARD FRANK DUBECKY

On January 16, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 17, 2026

IRIS LEYDY HERNANDEZ VASQUEZ vs. MICHAEL VALENTIN DE LA ROSA VASQUEZ

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

VAN NGUY vs. DUNG TIEN NGO

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

TAMIA SHANYNE SMITH vs. DAVID ALLEN SMITH JR

On January 15, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 16, 2026

MARY BETH ADAMS vs. JAMES EDWARD ADAMS JR

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2026

GUILLERMINA CRUZ RIOS vs. EVELYN LOPEZ CONCEPCION

On January 14, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 14, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 15, 2026

JOANN FELTON vs. BRUCE FELTON

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

RACINE DOWNEY vs. OLALEYE AKINYELURE

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

TIAWNA BRASFIELD vs. RAHJEK BRASFIELD

On January 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 13, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

MEGAN PALANGE vs. SCOTT PALANGE

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 14, 2026

PETER KORMANIK vs. DAYANA ACEVEDO

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

YEIDY LARACUENTE vs. HECTOR RODRIGUEZ

On January 12, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

ZAKIYA WRIGHT vs. EDWARD WRIGHT

On January 11, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 11, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 13, 2026

DONNA M MILLER vs. RAYMOND A MILLER

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

LINDA TAYLOR vs. SCOTT TAYLOR

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

SHANNON GARNER vs. NICHOLAS GARNER

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

JOSUE VARGAS vs. SARIAH DANIELLE FROST

On January 9, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 09, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2026

ANNE BONAUDO vs. THOMAS CHERNITSKY

On January 8, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 08, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 09, 2026

MANUEL L MCKINNEY vs. TIMMESHA L MCKINNEY

On January 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2026

TERI MICHELE ROGERS vs. LLOYD JEROME ROGERS, SR

On January 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2026

FRANCES A. CHESLER vs. MICHAEL E. CHESLER

On January 7, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County. Judge Tonya R. Jones presiding.

Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Status

ACTIVE

Judge

Hon. Tonya R. Jones 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Tonya R. Jones

Court

Cuyahoga County

County

Cuyahoga County, OH

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 08, 2026

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About

Tonya R. Jones
Current Appointment Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Department 3rd Floor, Courtroom 1	Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Department 3rd Floor, Courtroom 1
Election/Appointment November 8, 2016	November 8, 2016
Education J.D., Cleveland Marshall College of Law - 1998 Bachelor's degree, Cleveland State University - 1993	J.D., Cleveland Marshall College of Law - 1998 Bachelor's degree, Cleveland State University - 1993

Documents related to Tonya R. Jones

Appeal is dismissed for lack of a final appealable order. An order to pay GAL fees, without a final decision as to custody, is an interlocutory order and is not final and appealable. See Smith v. Quigg, 5th Dist. Fairfield Nos. 05-CA-61, 05-CA-62, 05-CA-79, 2006-Ohio-1670, ¶ 10; Rose v. Rose, 5th Dist. Richland No. 2008 CA 0065, 2009-Ohio-1479, ¶ 13, FN. 1. See also Davis v. Lewis, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 99AP-814, 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 5747, 2000 WL 1808291 (Dec. 12, 2000). Notice issued.

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	OH - Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Clerk phone:	+1 (216) 443-8839
Bailiff:	+1 (216) 443-8809

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Court of Common Pleas	Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Magistrate	Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court	Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Client's Rights Officer	Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Cleveland	Cuyahoga County, Ohio
Sole Practitioner	Private Practice	Cuyahoga County, Ohio