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TimesReporter, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart talks about the death penalty, bail bond reform, efficiency

As a state supreme court justice, Stewart wanted to improve responsiveness in towns and cities statewide.

Believed the state court did not have "enough meeting hours or weekend hours."

Believed"where justice is served..." should not rely on which county one lives in.

- As a state supreme court justice, Stewart wanted to improve responsiveness in towns and cities statewide.
- Believed the state court did not have "enough meeting hours or weekend hours."
- Believed"where justice is served..." should not rely on which county one lives in.

Judicial Administration

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Believes in protecting democracy by opposing unlawful partisan schemes.

Opposes politicians applying favoritism when mapping districts. 

Said "There are some counties in this state who have never prosecuted a case with death-penalty specifications. If a heinous crime is death-penalty worthy, then it's death-penalty worthy, whether you're in a small county or...a big urban county, or we do away with the death penalty...".

- Opposes politicians applying favoritism when mapping districts. 
- Said "There are some counties in this state who have never prosecuted a case with death-penalty specifications. If a heinous crime is death-penalty worthy, then it's death-penalty worthy, whether you're in a small county or...a big urban county, or we do away with the death penalty...".

Judicial Philosophy

Served with a county Community Juvenile Diversion Program and the Catholic Charities Service Corporation.

- Served with a county Community Juvenile Diversion Program and the Catholic Charities Service Corporation.

Community Involvement

Believes the only reason to run for public office is to serve the public, not partisan political agendas.

Believes the "first and only reason to run for public office is to serve the public, not partisan political agendas."

- Believes the "first and only reason to run for public office is to serve the public, not partisan political agendas."

Ethics & Conduct

As a state supreme court justice, Stewart decides which cases the court will review, and evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice also ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.

As a state court of appeals judge, Stewart ensured the law had been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercised the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of law by lower appeals and trial courts, and heard applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.

Served with the Judicial College of the Ohio Supreme Court.

- As a state supreme court justice, Stewart decides which cases the court will review, and evaluates questions of constitutional law, wrongful imprisonment cases, capital felonies, election contests, and the state’s use of the death penalty. The justice also ensures that lower courts apply the law correctly, allows certain cases to be retried, and provides final interpretations of state law.
- As a state court of appeals judge, Stewart ensured the law had been applied correctly in state criminal and civil cases, exercised the authority to correct procedural errors or misinterpretations of law by lower appeals and trial courts, and heard applications for court orders that compel and prohibit certain actions by lower courts and government officials.
- Served with the Judicial College of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Legal Experience

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Melody J. Stewart

As a prosecutor, established Ohio's first drug court.

As a prosecutor, established the county’s first victim/witness advocate program and helped develop several diversion programs for first time non-violent offenders.

As treasurer, he was responsible for collecting, managing, and investing more than $11 billion in assets for the state.

As a treasurer, responsible for collecting, managing, and investing more than $11 billion in assets for the state.

Supports allowing local judges to "set appropriate bonds on dangerous criminals and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods."

- As a prosecutor, established Ohio's first drug court.
- As a prosecutor, established the county’s first victim/witness advocate program and helped develop several diversion programs for first time non-violent offenders.
- As a treasurer, responsible for collecting, managing, and investing more than $11 billion in assets for the state.
- Supports allowing local judges to "set appropriate bonds on dangerous criminals and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods."

Plans to base decisions on "a strict interpretation of our laws as they are written."

Believes as a Justice, his chief responsibility is to "respect and honor the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s role as a co-equal branch of government" and supports judicial restraint from influencing legislation.

Wants to "respect and honor the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s role as a co-equal branch of government" and supports judicial restraint from influencing legislation.

Believes in being a "strict conservative constitutionalist" who values the rights of all Ohioans.

Believes in "enforcing the law to hold violent criminals accountable."

Supports "enforcing the law to hold violent criminals accountable."

Believes in distinguishing between individuals who need rehabilitation and those who require compensation.

- Plans to base decisions on "a strict interpretation of our laws as they are written."
- Wants to "respect and honor the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s role as a co-equal branch of government" and supports judicial restraint from influencing legislation.
- Believes in being a "strict conservative constitutionalist" who values the rights of all Ohioans.
- Supports "enforcing the law to hold violent criminals accountable."
- Believes in distinguishing between individuals who need rehabilitation and those who require compensation.

Previously served on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation.

- Previously served on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation.

Believes in "upholding the integrity and honesty of the Ohio Supreme Court."

- Believes in "upholding the integrity and honesty of the Ohio Supreme Court."

WCPO, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters steps down after 25 years; this is his exit interview

As an assistant prosecutor, tried felony cases.

- As an assistant prosecutor, tried felony cases.

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Joseph T. Deters

- The Supreme Court of Ohio has seven justices and serves as the final authority on the Ohio Constitution and Ohio law.
- The Court must accept appeals of cases that originated in the courts of appeals; cases involving the death penalty; cases involving questions arising under the U.S. Constitution or the Ohio Constitution; and cases in which there have been conflicting opinions from two or more courts of appeals.
- Decisions are made collectively by majority vote, and a justice writes the majority opinion.
- The justices elect a chief justice who serves as the administrative head of the state's court system, serving a six-year term.
- Justices are elected at large by the voters of Ohio for six-year terms across districts. Vacancies can be filled by the governor's appointment, with staggered elections ensuring that only some justices are elected each year.
- The chief justice earns $174,700 per year and associate justices $164,000 per year.