On Friday, February 17, 2023, the Wkyc Studios reported that former Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Pinkey Suzanne Carr was replaced by former Cuyahoga County Judge Mark Majer. The appointment was made by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

Since 2012, former judge Carr served in her position. On October 18, 2022, the Supreme Court of Ohio ordered her indefinite suspension from the practice of law in Ohio. The Supreme Court described the conduct of former judge Carr as being “in a manner benefitting a game show host rather than a judge.” and “ruled her courtroom in a reckless and cavalier manner, unconstrained by the law or the court’s rules, without any measure of probity or even common courtesy.”

Judge Carr’s misconduct involved forcing parties to show up in person for court proceedings while there is a COVID-19 shutdown. She also sent someone to jail for 15 days after the defendant apparently rolled their eyes in court and cursed in lockup. According to the filing, the disciplinary counsel charged Carr with five counts of judicial misconduct. Each count set forth numerous instances of misconduct that occurred over a period of two years and shared common elements that fall into one or more of the following categories: (1) issuing capias warrants and making false statements, (2) engaging in ex parte communications and improper plea bargaining and rendering arbitrary dispositions, (3) using capias warrants and bonds to improperly compel payment of fines and court costs, (4) exhibiting a lack of decorum and dignity in a judicial office, and (5) abusing contempt power and failing to recuse herself from contempt proceedings in which she had a conflict.

The lawyer of Judge Carr stated that the latter acknowledged her behavior and claimed that the former judge had taken full responsibility for her conduct. Despite her acknowledgment of the same, the court indefinitely suspended her from the judicial office without pay. The Governor’s Office confirmed that Judge Carr already resigned from her office.  Judge Mark Majer officially took the office on February 24, 2023.

Ms. Pinkey Suzanne Carr attended the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Her info can be found on Ballotpedia.

 

Source: Wkyc Studios

Full story here.