Disciplinary Counsel v. Judge Pinkey S. Carr, Case No. 2021-1518
Cuyahoga County

The Board of Professional Conduct recommends a two-year suspension for Cleveland Municipal Judge Pinkey Carr. The board states that the disciplinary case is "without precedent" because of the "breathtaking number of infractions." Among the judicial misconduct accusations against Judge Carr:

Issuing arrest warrants for defendants who didn't appear for court in the first weeks of the government-issued stay-at-home order for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Holding hearings without a prosecutor present.
Unilaterally entering pleas for unrepresented defendants.
Arbitrarily imposing or waiving fines and court costs.
Jailing defendants to compel payment of fines and costs.
Creating false court journal entries.

Judge Carr has acknowledged much of the misconduct. However, she objects to the proposed sanction and the board's decision about mitigating evidence related to her health. Because the judge has objected to the board's conclusions, the Supreme Court of Ohio will hear oral argument in the matter.