Justice
Joseph T. Deters

Justice Joseph T. Deters is the 163rd justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He first joined the Supreme Court in January 2023, following an appointment by Governor Mike DeWine. Justice Deters was elected to a six-year term in November 2024. As a justice, he believes in upholding the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions while demonstrating judicial restraint and respect for our coequal branches of government. 

While growing up in Cincinnati, Justice Deters admired his grandfather, long-time Hamilton County Sheriff Dan Tehan, and followed in his footsteps by pursuing a career in public service. 

In 1982, Justice Deters began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County. It was there, while working in the felony trial division, that he realized the needs of victims and their families went largely unnoticed. After becoming the prosecutor in 1992, Justice Deters created the county’s first victim/witness advocate program. Victim advocates attend court hearings, provide emotional support, and connect victims of crime with available resources. 

As prosecutor in 2010, Justice Deters established the first drug court in Ohio with the assistance of Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Deidra Hair. He witnessed firsthand the strain addiction had on local courts and law enforcement. As a result, Hamilton County’s Drug Treatment and Recovery Court oversees more cases than any other specialized docket in the state. He also helped develop several diversion programs for first time non-violent offenders, established a sex offender unit within the prosecutor’s office, and formed a unit focused solely on violent crimes against women and children. 

Justice Deters served as Hamilton County’s longest-tenured prosecutor, holding that position from 1992–1999, and again from 2005–2023. Justice Deters was also elected statewide as Ohio Treasurer for two terms, in 1998 and 2002, where he collected, managed, and invested more than $11 billion in assets for Ohio. Justice Deters also served as Hamilton County’s Clerk of Courts from 1988–1992. 

Justice Deters attended the University of Cincinnati where he received both his undergraduate and law degrees. In 1997, he was the recipient of U.C. Law School’s Nicholas Longworth, III, Alumni Achievement Award for outstanding contributions in legal practice, and public and community service. In 2023, he was named Xavier University’s “Justice in Residence”– an honorary position. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association. He previously served on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, the Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation.