Candidate for
Judge; Hamilton County Municipal Court; District 7

It is through the Hamilton County Municipal Court that most citizens in our community come into contact with the judicial system, either as a defendant, a victim, or a witness. Judge Powers is firmly committed to equal justice and fairness. She is compassionate, patient, decisive, and a knowledgeable jurist. She is widely respected for her judicial temperment, professionalism, and efficient resolution of cases by defense attorneys, prosecutors, and litigants.

Judge Melissa Powers is a life long resident of Cincinnati, Ohio. As a child, she grew up in a large family in which her parents valued discipline, hard work, education, and strong moral values.

Judge Powers graduated from McAuley High School, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Judge Powers began her legal career in the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Appellate Division where she argued before the First District Court of Appeals. Thereafter, she was groomed and mentored for trial work. She advanced quickly through the litigation divisions of Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas. As a prosecutor, Melissa tried hundreds of cases, jury and non-jury trials, ranging from murder, rape, major drug trafficking, felonious assaults, DUI, and other felonies and misdemeanors.

In 1997, she obtained a confession for an unsolved, double homicide that occurred in Cincinnati in 1980, from the white supremacist serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin. In November 2002, Dateline NBC aired an hour-long television show that featured Melissa and how she obtained the confession. She was also featured in numerous local articles, Cincinnati Magazine, Court TV, Discovery Channel, MSNBC, German TV, and in French and Candanian magazines for her work.

Melissa left the Hamilton County Prosecutor's office in 1999, as a Chief Assistant Prosecutor for the Municipal Division, to start her solo litigation practice. Her private practice primarily included criminal defense of adults and juveniles, domestic relations and civil litigation. She sharpened her trial skills while at the same time establishing a successful practice and her own business.

In May 2006, the Ohio Governor appointed Melissa to Hamilton County Municipal Court District 7. Judge Powers filled the vacancy when Judge Robert Winkler advanced to Common Pleas. Judge Powers runs for a six year term in November 2007.

RESUME: PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

AS A LITIGATOR

• Effective trial lawyer with experience in criminal, juvenile, and appellate courts, a career history of success and advancement, and a strong ability to perform well in pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and work cooperatively to balance the needs of all concerned: victim, offender, law enforcement and judicial systems, and citizens.
• Achieve satisfaction from resolving matters quickly and effectively, yet persistent in pursuing most effective and appropriate course of action.
• Strengths include jury selection, presentation of facts, and persuasive argument abilities. Proven ability to acquire skill in essential areas such as public speaking and presenting.

• Named to Ohio State Bar, 1991 B.A., University of Cincinnati 1986

Melissa A. Powers, LPA, Cincinnati, Ohio 1999+2006

ATTORNEY General litigation practice, with extensive activity in the areas of criminal defense, domestic relations, probate, personal injury, collections, and business law.

• In October 2002, featured on hour-long NBC Dateline program titled "Beauty and the Beast," profiling active role in resolving serial-murder case in 1997.

Assistant Chief, Municipal Division, 1998+1999 Coordinated and managed the activities of 9 Assistant Prosecutors; trained, assisted, and educated in case preparation and jury trials. Approved plea bargains.

• Established policy for aggressive prosecution of domestic-violence cases.
• Conducted numerous speaking engagements, school and seminar presentations.
• Represent the Prosecutor's Office on U.S. Department of Justice Hate Crimes Work Group.

• In 1996, won convictions in 13 of 16 jury trials.
• In 1997, initiated contact with high-profile serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin and gained confession in 17-year-old double homicide case. Confession led to Franklin's indictment and conviction and also freed an individual incarcerated for one of the crimes in another state.

• Selected as one of two prosecutors to pioneer the Rapid Indictment Program, instituted to speed case resolution. Working cooperatively with defense counsel, law enforcement, judges and the Grand Jury, negotiated fair resolutions to offenses. This program, which is still in use, has succeeded in significantly reducing the cost of criminal prosecutions.

• Selected to train new prosecutors.

• Instrumental in conducting research that led to institution of highly successful Victim Advocate program.