Former Hamilton County Juvenile Court judge Tracie M. Hunter, who was convicted of a felony more than eight years ago, is facing an indefinite suspension from practicing law, as recommended by the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct.
This sanction follows the consistent punishment handed out to other judges convicted of felonies. Hunter has been under temporary suspension since 2014.
If Hunter opposes the recommendation, the Ohio Supreme Court will schedule an oral argument to address the case. Ultimately, the final decision on discipline lies with the seven-member court.
Hunter’s conviction in October 2014 involved her unlawful interest in a public contract, constituting a fourth-degree felony. She had provided confidential documents to her brother, an employee of the juvenile court who was in the process of being terminated.
Although she remained free during the appeals process, she was forcefully removed from court by bailiffs in July 2019 to begin serving a six-month sentence.
Upon her release in October 2019, Hunter successfully argued for a reduction in her court costs. The original bill of $34,560 was reduced to $17,275.
In March, Hunter filed a federal lawsuit against the director of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct and the Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court.
In her lawsuit, she alleges being subjected to selective prosecution, retaliation, and framing. She accuses the disciplinary committee of consistently dismissing her complaints against Joe Deters, the former Hamilton County prosecutor who currently serves on the Ohio Supreme Court.
