Melissa is originally from Cincinnati. She has a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Melissa has served on numerous boards, including Cincinnati Works, Operations Legal Help Ohio, Cincinnati Fire Foundation, and the Tri-State Veterans Community Alliance.

Melissa previously worked as a private litigation attorney and an assistant prosecuting attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts.

Melissa Powers currently serves as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney. She was appointed in 2023. Melissa previously served as a judge on the Hamilton County Municipal Court from 2006 to 2016 and on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court from 2016 to 2022.

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As an assistant prosecutor, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.

Specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation as a private practice lawyer, handling over 75,000 cases as a judge.

As a private attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.

As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As a juvenile court judge, presided over over 77,000 cases of custody, dependency, and delinquency.

As a juvenile court judge, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.

As a county prosecutor, oversees civil and criminal prosecutions, works with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and investigate criminal and civil violations, and provides legal counsel and representation to state, county, and city officials in lawsuits against the government.

- As an assistant prosecutor, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
- As a private attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.
- As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As a juvenile court judge, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.
- As a county prosecutor, oversees civil and criminal prosecutions, works with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and investigate criminal and civil violations, and provides legal counsel and representation to state, county, and city officials in lawsuits against the government.

Legal Experience

Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life" and opposes early release.

Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life," and opposes early release.

Said, "Far too many activists and agenda-driven politicians have sought to undermine our way of life by seeking to excuse violent crime, and I will not stand for it. My office will have zero tolerance for repeat offenders and violent criminals."

Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for changes to be made through the state legislature.

Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for reforms to be made through the state legislature.

Believes in upholding "truth, justice and fairness" as a guiding philosophy in public service.

Supports offering those who commit less serious offenses a chance to become productive members of society through rehabilitation.

- Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life," and opposes early release.
- Said, "Far too many activists and agenda-driven politicians have sought to undermine our way of life by seeking to excuse violent crime, and I will not stand for it. My office will have zero tolerance for repeat offenders and violent criminals."
- Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for reforms to be made through the state legislature.
- Believes in upholding "truth, justice and fairness" as a guiding philosophy in public service.
- Supports offering those who commit less serious offenses a chance to become productive members of society through rehabilitation.

Criminal Justice

Supports consumer protection by establishing a dedicated team with a scam tip line and collaboration with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud and scams.

As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud targeting seniors.

Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks and the white-collar unit.

Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks.

- As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud targeting seniors.
- Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks.

Consumer Protection

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Melissa Powers

Melissa previously worked as a private litigation attorney and as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts.

Melissa Powers currently serves as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney. She was appointed to this position in 2023. She previously served as a judge on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court for 6 years and on the Hamilton County Municipal Court for 10 years.

As a municipal court judge, handled over 75,000 civil and criminal cases.

As a municipal court judge, established the Hamilton County Municipal Veterans Treatment Court to address the needs of justice-involved combat veterans.

As a private practice lawyer, specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation.

As a homicide detective, she worked with police to obtain a confession from a white supremacist serial killer, solving a 17-year-old double murder case in Cincinnati.

As an assistant prosecuting attorney, worked with police to obtain a confession from a white supremacist serial killer, solving a 17-year-old double murder case in Cincinnati.

- As a juvenile court judge, presided over over 77,000 cases of custody, dependency, and delinquency.
- As a municipal court judge, handled over 75,000 civil and criminal cases.
- As a municipal court judge, established the Hamilton County Municipal Veterans Treatment Court to address the needs of justice-involved combat veterans.
- As a private practice lawyer, specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation.
- As an assistant prosecuting attorney, worked with police to obtain a confession from a white supremacist serial killer, solving a 17-year-old double murder case in Cincinnati.

Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.

Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, Queen City Lodge 69.

Believes in holding criminals accountable, and supports measures to protect law enforcement officers.

Believes in pursuing suspects to ensure accountability and uphold the law.

Believes in strict parole policies for violent offenders, as demonstrated by supporting the denial of parole for two men convicted of murdering a Cincinnati police officer in 1979 and shooting one other person.

Opposes parole for certain criminals. As Hamilton County Prosecutor, opposed the parole of Wayne Reed and Russell Bell and encouraged public opposition.

Believes in the importance of community involvement in law enforcement, as demonstrated by a citizen ride-along during a police response to a potential armed robbery.

Supports opening investigations into reckless driving incidents to address public safety concerns.

Believes in strict criminal justice measures, as evidenced by supporting the prosecution of individuals who commit violent crimes against law enforcement officers and civilians.

Believes in ensuring violent repeat offenders are incarcerated.

As a prosecutor, opposed parole for men convicted of killing an officer in 1978.

- Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life" and opposes early release.
- Believes in ensuring violent repeat offenders are incarcerated.
- As a prosecutor, opposed parole for men convicted of killing an officer in 1978.
- Supports the death penalty.
- Said, "Far too many activists and agenda-driven politicians have sought to undermine our way of life by seeking to excuse violent crime, and I will not stand for it. My office will have zero tolerance for repeat offenders and violent criminals."
- Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for reforms to be made through the state legislature.
- Believes in upholding "truth, justice and fairness" as a guiding philosophy in public service.

Promises to prosecute anyone who targets seniors.

Plans to prioritize senior safety and security to prevent exploitation and "crimes against seniors...in Hamilton County."

Enjoys cooking, reading, and needlepointing.

Believes mental health treatment can help children understand long-term consequences and supports rehabilitation over incarceration.

As Hamilton County Prosecutor, created a new unit to address elder abuse and scams.

Believes consumer protection is important, especially for the elderly, and supports measures to combat crime targeting seniors.

Supports creating a consumer protection unit to address fraud and scams.

Supports consumer protection, especially for seniors. As Hamilton County Prosecutor, she created an elder justice unit to combat abuse and scams targeting senior citizens.

Supports addressing elder exploitation and Medicare fraud.

Supports consumer protection, especially for seniors, and aims to address the increasing losses due to cyber scams.

Supports the work of the Ohio Attorney General's Elder Justice Unit in helping senior citizens connect with law enforcement and social services.

Believes social isolation has increased the vulnerability of older adults to exploitation.

As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud and scams targeting seniors.

Believes elder scams and abuse have worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.

- As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud and scams targeting seniors.
- Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks.
- Believes elder scams and abuse have worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Melissa Powers is a lifelong Cincinnatian, graduating from McAuley High School in 1979 and the University of Cincinnati in 1984. She is married, has four children, and five grandchildren.

Melissa Powers is the Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, a position she assumed in January 2023. She has over three decades of experience, including roles as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, a private litigation attorney, and a judge on the Hamilton County Municipal and Juvenile Courts.

Melissa Powers was appointed as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney in January 2023. She previously served as a judge on the Hamilton County Municipal Court from 2006 to 2016 and on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court from 2016 to 2022.

Believes the 2024 elections will be crucial for Hamilton County.

Served as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney after being sworn in on January 24, 2023.

Believes her experience as a prosecutor and judge sets her apart from her opponent, who lacks this background.

Believes that legal reforms should be made through the state legislature.

Believes in "truth, justice and fairness" in the legal system.

As Hamilton County Prosecutor, Powers said, "We are beholden to truth, justice and fairness."

Said, "Powers has a message for any judge who she says might have an agenda."

Warns that U.S. copyright law imposes "substantial penalties for a false counternotice filed in response to a notice of copyright infringement."

Believes in providing clear disclaimers regarding the nature of informational content, emphasizing that it is not legal advice and urging individuals to seek legal counsel for intellectual property rights issues.

The candidate's website includes a statement affirming the accuracy of the information provided and their authority to act on behalf of the copyright owner in cases of alleged infringement.

Believes judges are "more like defense attorneys than neutral parties."

- County Prosecutors are attorneys that handle criminal and civil legal action for the people in their county. The County Prosecutor can choose the cases they want to take.
- County Prosecutors can also represent the state if the state is being sued. 
- They also have the discretion of whether or not to bring charges against arrested people, whether or not to seek jail time, or whether or not to send individuals to pre-trial diversion programs. 
- The County Prosecutor advises cities, townships, boards, departments, and county officials on legal matters. 
- County Prosecutors are elected to terms of 4 years. There are no term limits for this office. 