Meet the Judges & Their Staff

2023 retouched photo Judge CrossDCROSSDCROSS

Wood

Denise L. Cross, Presiding Judge for Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, Administrative Judge for Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court

Timothy D. Wood, Judge for Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court
              Judge Denise L. Cross is currently serving her twenty-third (23rd) year as Administrative Judge of the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University in 1975 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron in 1978. Judge Cross has practiced as a private attorney and has been a public servant in several capacities. In addition to being an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Assistant Public Defender, she has led in the Court system as both Chief Magistrate and Legal Director.  She was elected to the bench as Judge in 2000.  She actively participates in many legal forums and community organizations.

               After serving as a magistrate in the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Court for eighteen (18) years, Judge Timothy D. Wood was appointed as Judge in 2011.  He was elected to the bench in 2012. Judge Wood received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dayton in 1980 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton in 1984. Judge Wood first served as a Staff Attorney in Darke County, Ohio, and then went into private practice for a number of years.  Judge Wood became a Magistrate in 1992 and a Judge in 2011. He is very involved in several legal and community organizations.  
Bailiffs

Supporting each of the Judges, the Bailiff has the primary responsibilities to maintain the Judge’s calendar, coordinate hearing dates, prepare files and questionnaires for the weekly docket, and enter results for Supreme Court reporting.  The Bailiff serves as a point of contact for attorneys, self-represented parties and the public.  They monitor docket case flow, manage duties in the courtroom and prepare ex parte entries as well as other notices and court documents.  Bailiffs will also swear in litigants and witnesses for Court hearings.

Bailiff for Judge Cross                       (937) 225-4874
Bailiff for Judge Wood                      (937) 225-4091


Court Reporter and judicial assistant

Judge Cross utilizes a Court Reporter whose primary duty is to attend her trials and hearings, providing a verbatim record of all proceedings, as well as retain custody of all admitted exhibits.  The Court Reporter will prepare a type-written transcript as required in all filed objections or appeals.  This staff member has the additional responsibility supervising the court reporters who serve in the Magistrate courtrooms.

Judge Wood utilizes a Judicial Assistant for all of his hearings and trials.  This position has the primary duty of assuring an electronic record is maintained and to communicate with the Court Reporter should a type-written transcript be required.  This staff member retains custody of all admitted exhibits and is a point of contact for the attorneys and self-represented litigants filings objections or appeals.

Court Reporter for Judge Cross:  (937) 225-5817
Judicial Assistant for Judge Wood: (937) 225-5818