On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio granted the motion of former Cleveland Municipal Court Judge Pinkey Susan Carr to purge the contempt order in relation to her suspension for her misconduct that involved issuing capias warrants and making false statements.
The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v. Hon. Pinkey Susan Carr,” with case no. 2021-1518.
On October 18, 2022, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended the respondent from the practice of law for two years and was immediately removed from judicial office without pay. This is in relation to the respondent’s misconduct wherein the judge forced parties to show up in person for court proceedings while there is still a COVID-19 shutdown. It was also alleged that the respondent 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 filing states:
“On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(12)(A)(2) and consistent with the opinion rendered herein, respondent, Pinkey Susan Carr, Attorney Registration No. 0061377, last known business address in Cleveland, Ohio, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law. It is further ordered that pursuant to Gov.Jud.R. III(7)(A), the respondent is immediately suspended from judicial office without pay for the duration of her disciplinary suspension.”
After the order of suspension, Judge Carr was replaced as a judge in the Cleveland Municipal Court by former Cuyahoga County Judge Mark Majer. This appointment was made by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
On January 30, 2023, Judge Carr filed a motion to purge the contempt order. This is based on the October 18th order issued by the court stating that an affidavit showing compliance must be filed.
The filing continues:
“The October 18th order, paragraph 6 reads: “File with the clerk of this court and disciplinary counsel of the supreme court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of service of the notices required herein, and setting forth the address where the respondent may receive communications, and retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by respondent pursuant to this order.”
On February 1, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio granted Carr’s motion.
The Order states:
“This matter came on for further consideration upon the filing by the respondent of a motion to purge contempt order. Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered by the court that the motion is granted.”
Ms. Pinkey Suzanne Carr attended the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Her info can be found on Ballotpedia.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
