Monday, January 25, 1999
New judge not afraid to take chance
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Patricia Oney has never shied away from daring endeavors.
As a young woman, she parachuted from airplanes six times.
As a licensed scuba diver, she has explored the depths of the seas.
Now she's embarked on a new adventure that doesn't require a parachute or an oxygen tank. All she needs is a black judicial robe.
After six years as a Butler County Area I Court judge, the 56-year-old Reily Township resident began a new job three weeks ago — Butler County Common Pleas Court judge.
Sitting on the common pleas bench represents the culmination of her 23-year law career.
“I had been interested in the full spectrum of cases, criminal and civil, that address more complicated issues,” Judge Oney said. “Some cases have very difficult intellectual questions.”
Judge Oney, a Republican, earned the position by defeating Assistant Prosecutor Dan Eichel, a Democrat, in November's general election. She replaced John Moser, who retired after 20 years as a common pleas judge.
Her elation at starting the job was muted by the Dec. 30 death of her sister, Diane Walker, of pancreatic cancer.
Judge Oney already had lost her parents and a brother in tragic circumstances.
In 1965, her parents died when a drunken driver smashed into their car.
“I have a lot of empathy for people dealing with grief,” Judge Oney said. “It also made my family risk-takers. We felt like you should grab all you can while you're able.”
She received another jolt in 1976 when her brother, Richard, and his wife disappeared from their Tacoma, Wash., home. Their truck was found in a small town in Oregon.
Three weeks after their disappearance, Richard's body washed up on a Pacific Ocean shore. His wife's body was never found.
Cause of their deaths has not been determined.
Judge Oney was born in Grafton, W.Va., a small railroad and mining town. Her father was a physician, and she developed an interest in science early in life.
After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in microbiology, she switched fields and entered the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
“I felt I could have more impact on society in law,” she said.
After earning her law de gree in 1976, she worked for the Green County prosecutor and the Montgomery County public defender, then opened a private law practice.
As Area I Court judge, she saw many alcohol-related traffic accidents and assaults involving Miami University students.
She seldom let defendants off with a mere fine and often sentenced them to community service.
“I utilized community service as an equalizer and a punishment,” she said. “I ordered 32,000 hours of community service a year, not counting those who couldn't afford to pay a fine. The students did well, and it helped the communities.”
Roger Gates, president of the Butler County Bar Association, said he's impressed with Judge Oney's patience in dealing with difficult criminal cases.
“She made sure that everybody who came in front of her had a fair hearing,” he said. “She always tried to sort out what happened and do the right thing.”
Judge Oney lives on a farm with her husband, Rodney, a dentist, and their son, Patrick, a student at Miami.
Physical limitations forced her to give up such adventurous hobbies as skydiving and snow skiing. But being a common pleas judge provides its share of drama and excitement.
“It's challenging, but a little bit scary because I want to do a good job,” Judge Oney said. “I've always been passionately interested in issues of justice. If we don't believe our court system is fair, we are not going to follow the laws.”
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