Cuyahoga County has 34 elected Common Pleas judges who handle felony criminal cases and civil disputes.

On Nov. 5, voters will select judges for six of those seats. In addition, seven candidates on the ballot have no opponent.  Four of those General Division judges are already on the bench, and three – Carl J. Mazzone, Lauren C. Moore and John J. Spellacy –  will be new to the court. Countywide judge candidates run in partisan primaries and non-partisan general elections.

Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court has six elected judges, and candidates running for three of those seats are unopposed. 

Judge Timothy Clary and Kira Krivosh

Kira Krivosh is challenging Judge Timothy Clary, who was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the seat of Judge Michael Russo, who died before his term ended. The winner will fill the rest of the term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2026.

The General Election Judge Guide is created in partnership with Signal Cleveland, Cleveland Documenters and The Marshall Project, a nonprofit news organization covering the U.S. criminal justice system. Find the full guide and share feedback here.

Judge Kevin Kelley and Antonio Nicholson

Antonio Nicholson is challenging Judge Kevin Kelley for a six-year term that starts on Jan. 1, 2025.

Tim Hess and Mollie Ann Murphy

The two candidates are running for the seat long held by Judge John D. Sutula, who is retiring. The winner will serve a six-year term that starts on Jan. 8, 2025.

Amily Imbrogno and Joy Kennedy

These candidates are running for the seat of longtime Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold, who is retiring. The winner will serve a six-year term that starts on Jan. 10, 2025.

Daryl Dennie and Judge Joan Synenberg

Daryl Dennie is challenging Judge Joan Synenberg for a six-year term that would start on Jan. 11, 2025.

Judge Cassandra Collier-Williams and Jason Ralls

Jason Ralls is challenging current Judge Cassandra Collier-Williams, who has been a judge on the Common Pleas court since 2013. The winner will serve a six-year term starting Jan. 12, 2025.

Common Pleas General Division uncontested candidates

These candidates ran for seats with no opposition and would be newly elected to the Common Pleas General Division

Current Common Pleas judges running unopposed

These candidates are all current judges who are not being challenged.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Juvenile Division uncontested candidates

The three candidates are all current judges and are running unopposed.

The Marshall Project is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system. Through a partnership with Signal Cleveland, The Marshall Project is weaving more resident voices into its reporting and building an understanding about how the justice system works — and doesn’t work — in Cleveland.