Ballotpedia, Joan Synenberg

Mike DeWine Governor of Ohio, Governor DeWine Appoints Joan Synenberg to Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

Cleveland, Will Cuyahoga County lose its ‘Judge Joan’?

Joan earned her bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University and her law degree from Cleveland Marshall School of Law.

Joan was a social worker who worked in the Cuyahoga County Jail and a criminal defense attorney. 

Joan Synenberg currently serves as a County Common Pleas Judge for Cuyahoga County in Ohio. She was appointed in 2022 and is serving her 1st term. Joan previously served as a Judge for Ohio 8th District Court of Appeals. She served for 1 full term from 2013-2022. She previously served as a County Common Please Judge for 1 full term from 2007-2013. Joan also previously served as a Judge for Cleveland Municipal Court in Ohio for 1 term from 2005-2006. 

Is a County Common Pleas Judge for Cuyahoga County.

- Is a County Common Pleas Judge for Cuyahoga County.
- Was a criminal defense attorney.

Legal Experience

As of August 23, 2024, Joan Synenberg did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Exercised judicial discretion by recommending three life sentences without parole when the jury recommended the death penalty for Douglas Shine, who murdered three people and was beaten at home at a young age.

- Exercised judicial discretion by recommending three life sentences without parole when the jury recommended the death penalty for Douglas Shine, who murdered three people and was beaten at home at a young age.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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- The Court of Common Pleas handles criminal felony cases and civil cases where more than $5,000 is at stake.
- The courts are divided into four divisions: general, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile. Each specializes in different types of cases, such as civil and criminal trials, divorces and child custody matters, inheritances and adoptions, and juvenile offenses.
- Ohio has a court of common pleas in each of its 88 counties.
- Common pleas judges are elected to six-year terms in nonpartisan elections.
- Common pleas judges earn $163,792 annually.

Serves as a judge on Ohio’s primary trial court. 

Cuyahoga

Public Health

Public Safety

Ohio

County Common Pleas Judge

As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.

As a criminal defense attorney, ensured defendants’ rights were not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses, provided advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represented defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.

- As a court of common pleas judge, reviews the decisions of certain state administrative agencies, issues marriage licenses, administers divorce, spousal support, parental custody, adoption, and eminent domain  proceedings, and oversees criminal felony cases, civil suits with alleged damages over $15,000, and cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless.
- As a criminal defense attorney, ensured defendants’ rights were not violated by the government over the course of an investigation or trial, gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses, provided advice and counsel on sentencing standards and possible plea deals, and represented defendants during pre-trial hearings, the trial, and any post-trial sentencing hearings.