Gov. DeWine appoints ex-Treasurer Joe Deters to Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Thursday that he will appoint Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph T. Deters to fill the vacancy on the Ohio Supreme Court created by Justice Sharon Kennedy’s recent election as Chief Justice.

“Joe Deters has the right combination of experience, legal knowledge, and passion for public service that will serve the citizens of Ohio well as an associate justice of the Ohio Supreme Court,” DeWine said in a press release. “Joe is a long-serving and well-regarded public servant who is known for his legal intellect, reverence for the rule of law, and his accessibility.”

Deters has served as Hamilton County’s Prosecuting Attorney since 2005, overseeing the prosecution of felonies committed by adults, misdemeanors committed by adults outside city limits, and all offenses committed by juveniles. The office also serves as civil legal counsel to all county agencies, county officials, and various county boards, according to the release.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to accept this appointment to the Ohio Supreme Court,” said Deters. “I have spent my entire career standing up for victims and protecting the rights of criminal defendants. I appreciate the trust and responsibility that comes with this appointment and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Supreme Court to ensure Ohio’s justice system protects the rights of all Ohioans.”

Prior to his current role, Deters served as Clerk of Courts for Hamilton County, where he modernized the office and increased its efficiency. He was also elected Ohio’s 44th Treasurer of State in 1998 and 2002, where he was responsible for managing over $11 billion in assets for the state. The Ohio Treasurer’s Office earned 23 national awards for innovation and technology during Deters’ tenure, the release states.

Deters is a graduate of St. Xavier High School, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He is a member of various legal organizations and has served on the boards of the University of Cincinnati, the Ohio Organized Crime Commission, the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation, and the St. Joseph’s New Cemetery. He is married with six children and two grandchildren.

Deters will be sworn in on January 7, 2023 and must run for election in 2024 to complete the unexpired term of Justice Kennedy.