Candidate Details
- Residence
Blue Ash - Email
donteforjudge@gmail.com - Website
dontejohnsonforjudge.com - Social Media
facebook.com/donteforjudg
twitter.com/donteforjudge - Age
36 - Occupation
Attorney at Law - Education
J.D. from The University of Cincinnati, College of Law; B.A. from Howard University
- Work Experience
Attorney since 2010 (Private Practice, Hamilton County Public Defender's Office, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority)
- Affiliations
Cincinnati Bar Association, Black Lawyers Association of Cincinnati (Lifetime Member), Cincinnati NAACP (Lifetime Member), Allen Temple AME Church.
- Endorsements
Hamilton County Democratic Party
Question 1
List your judicial experience (courts and years)
I have never served as a Judge.
Question 2
What non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?
I have dedicated my career to seeking criminal and civil justice. As a Public Defender, I successfully defended cases as minor as disorderly conduct and as major as aggravated murder. After several years as a Public Defender, I joined the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority where I fought to secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in tenant assistance for our residents and fought to cut eviction rates in half. In my private practice, I focus on criminal defense, plaintiff's litigation, and probate. I have a passion for improving the justice system for everyone involved.
Question 3
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
I am running for Judge because I believe all people should have equal access to justice regardless of where they came from, who they know, or how much money they have. I plan on being a progressive judge and continuing to push the court forward. I will work to reduce the jail population and alleviate the burden an overcrowded jail places on our community by increasing the number of people released on OR bond and pre-trial supervision; ensuring that people who are accused of non-violent crimes and do not pose a danger or threat to society are not kept in jail just because they cannot afford to pay. I will work to reform probation by reducing the number of people on probation and removing the obstacles to success so many on probation face. And I will work to ensure that people are not given harsher judgements because of their race.