OLBC Condemns Effort to Admonish Judge Ted N. Berry of Cincinnati Municipal Court

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) today condemns the advancement of House Concurrent Resolution 26, a measure that seeks to summon and publicly admonish Judge Ted N. Berry, a respected Cincinnati Municipal Court judge and son of Cincinnati's first Black mayor.

"This resolution represents a serious overreach of legislative authority and a troubling misuse of taxpayer resources. The Ohio Constitution establishes a clear process for judicial discipline through the Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel, not through political theater in the General Assembly. To disregard this process is to erode the very separation of powers that upholds our democracy.

Judge Berry's tenure on the bench is nearing its natural conclusion, with his retirement already set for early 2026. This action is both unprecedented and unnecessary. Calling a judge before a legislative committee under these circumstances wastes public time and undermines the integrity of our institutions.

At its core, this action is not about judicial ethics, it is about weaponizing legislative power to target and humiliate a prominent Black jurist. That should concern every Ohioan who values fairness, due process, and the independence of our courts.

The OLBC stands united against this misuse of power. We will continue to defend the principles of judicial independence and speak out against attempts to distract from the real work Ohioans sent us here to do, improving schools, creating jobs, and making our communities safer and stronger," said OLBC.