Nickolas K. McCoy is running for Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge in the General Division in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Emma Mirles-Jones.
Asked why he is seeking the office, McCoy said in our questionnaire: "I am seeking elective office to further serve the legal community and citizens of Delaware County as I have done for the past 16 years."
Candidate information
Party affiliation: Republican
Education: "Capital University Law School - Juris Doctorate," and "Ohio University - Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology - Minor: Business Administration," McCoy said in our questionnaire.
Family: "I have been married for 23 years and have three children. My wife is a special education teacher at Delaware Hayes High School. I have a son in law enforcement. I have a son at The Ohio State University. I have a daughter who is a senior in high school in Delaware County."
Experience and public service
McCoy said in our questionnaire that he has served as a magistrate in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile and Probate Division since 2025. Before that, he said he was "Attorney/Managing Member/Owner" of McCoy Law LLC from 2011 to 2025.
His earlier career included engineering roles. He worked as a mechanical engineer at LSP Technologies Inc. from 2002 to 2010, according to his questionnaire.
McCoy was admitted by the Supreme Court of Ohio to practice law in November 2009, according to his campaign website.
He listed elected and appointed positions in our questionnaire: "Magistrate - Delaware County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile and Probate Division (Appointed)" and "Delaware County Republican Central Committee - elected 2020, 2022, and 2024."
McCoy said his civic service includes membership on the Orange Township Board of Zoning Appeals and the Delaware County Public Defenders Commission. He also served on the Delaware County District Library board of trustees and served two terms as president of the Delaware County Bar Association.
On the issues
What are the critical differences between you and other candidates?
McCoy said he has "judicial experience running my own docket and a court room in Delaware County." He also pointed to his engineering background: "The analytical mind required of an engineer is ideally suited to the mind of a judge … My broad legal experience in private practice for almost 16 years serves me well in my role as a Magistrate and will continue to serve me well as a Judge."
What prepares you for felonies and major civil lawsuits, and what would you need to learn?
McCoy said his nearly 16 years in private practice gave him "extensive familiarity with many areas of law." He also cited his four years on the Delaware County Public Defenders Commission. On areas he is still learning, he said: "I am currently reviewing aspects of the felony sentencing guidelines which can be difficult to apply even with seasoned judicial officers. The administration of criminal jury trials is also an area where I am heavily focusing on learning opportunities currently."
How would you handle Delaware County's growing caseload and specialty dockets?
"There has been a steady increase in civil actions filed with the Court. Estimates show approximately a 20 percent increase in cases," McCoy said. "Staffing and workload will need to be reviewed to ensure that the Court stays consistent with the processing of the cases in a fair and efficient manner for all litigants."
McCoy added: "As a former guardian of adult individuals with substance abuse and mental health needs, I am a huge supporter of the use of specialty dockets … I plan to utilize the Delaware County Probate Court for additional mental health needs for litigants."
How would you ensure neutrality and protect the rights of unrepresented defendants?
"Due process rights shall be protected, all litigants shall be treated fairly and transparently, and every litigant shall be given the opportunity to state their case," McCoy said. "I will not legislate from the bench and will not prosecute from the bench."
