Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon
Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon has been on the Juvenile Court of Lucas County since December 2004. Her court docket consists of all matters involving juveniles and related issues, including delinquency, dependency, neglect and abuse cases, custody, child support, truancy, and unruly behavior.
Her upbringing and background explain why she is a perfect fit for a position involving young people in the Toledo area. She was born and raised in Toledo with nine brothers and sisters. Her sister Renee is married to Boyk Attorney Mike Bruno. Judge Cubbon and her husband, Stuart Cubbon, Esq., raised four children in Toledo and now have eight grandchildren.
Judge Cubbon graduated from St. Ursula Academy, The American University (B.A. Anthropology), and received her law degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law. She was hired by then Lucas County Prosecutor Tony Pizza, in 1981 and served as an assistant prosecutor for 23 years before taking the bench. Most of her years as
an assistant prosecutor were spent in the juvenile court, supervising the Juvenile Division.
Judge Cubbon has earned numerous awards and distinctions for her advocacy of children, including the YWCA Milestones Award in 2018 for outstanding contributions to government, the Center of Hope Healing Communities Criminal Justice Reform Policy Award in 2018, and the Zonta Club of Toledo Woman of Achievement Award in 2022.
Her determination to help young people is not limited to her local juvenile court docket. Judge Cubbon has spoken nationally on juvenile court reform, including testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives in 2017.
Judge Cubbon is known nationally as an innovator in how her court deals with at-risk kids and their families. In fact, HBO featured Judge Cubbon and her Court during an episode of Vice on April 6, 2018, because of her Court’s success in dealing with at-risk youth.
Her current and final term ends December 31, 2026, as Ohio does not permit judges to run for re-election after their 70th birthday.
“I have had the responsibility and privilege to witness children, youth, and families on their journeys to make important changes in their lives to create safe, loving, stable homes where children and youth can grow and become valuable members of our community,” says Judge Cubbon. “There is nothing better than witnessing the successes one family at a time.”
