Honorable Judge Christine Croce

Judge Christine Croce graduated in 1989 with honors from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communications. In 1994 she received her Juris Doctorate from The University of Akron School of Law and was thereafter admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio. While attending law school Judge Croce worked for the City of Akron Law Department handling thousands of traffic cases as well as appellate research and writing.

In 1995, Judge Croce began working for the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office as an Assistant Criminal Prosecutor where she handled adult felony cases ranging from illegal possession of drugs to rape and murder.
In 2001 Judge Croce served as Executive Director of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and remained in that position until 2009. Judge Croce served as the legal advisor to the Deputy Sheriffs and the Summit County Drug Unit. Judge Croce also supervised the Fiscal Department, Personnel Department, CCW Unit, and Sex Offender Unit of the Sheriff’s Office and drafted inter-agency mutual aid agreements. Judge Croce also drafted county legislation and represented the Sheriff’s Office at Summit County Council.

From 2005-2009 Judge Croce served on Green City Council representing the citizens of the 4th Ward. While on council, Judge Croce served as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, and the Parks and Recreation Committee. She also served as President of Council in 2008 and Vice President in 2009.

In 2009 Judge Croce was elected as the Barberton Municipal Clerk of Courts. During her time as Clerk, Judge Croce implemented time and money saving changes including electronic mailings, and online payments.

In 2011 Judge Croce was elected as Judge in the Barberton Municipal Court and during her tenure she served as Presiding Judge. While serving the Barberton Municipal Court many changes were made at the Court in an effort to make the Court operate effectively and efficiently. The Court started a Community Service program along with a Suspended License Intervention Program and a Mental Health Court. The Court actively sought grant money to make changes and enhancements to the Court without the need to use taxpayer money.

In November 2013, Judge Croce was appointed to the General Division of the Summit County Common Pleas Court and thereafter elected to 6-year terms in November of 2014 and 2020. Judge Croce served as Presiding Judge of the Summit County Courthouse 2016-2018.

From August 2017 through April 2021, Judge Croce presided over a felony drug court docket called Turning Point which was certified as a specialty docket by the Supreme Court of Ohio. This specialized docket served the need of high risk/high need offenders who suffer from the disease of addiction. The program is at a minimum a one year program that utilizes sanctions and rewards to help those offenders in the program achieve sobriety. Judge Croce has worked to help those participants in Turning Point maintain long-term sobriety through the use of a team approach.

Throughout her time on the bench Judge Croce has presided over thirteen-thousand criminal and civil cases. Cases resolve either by plea agreement, settlement agreement, or jury and bench trials. The judges average monthly caseload ranges between 375-450 pending cases at any given time.

In 2017, Judge Croce was awarded the “Outstanding Judge” award by the Northeast Chapter of MADD. In 2021 Judge Croce was appointed by Chief Justice O’Connor to serve on the Governance Board of the Data Sentencing Platform project. Judge Croce also serves on the Criminal Law and Procedure Committee of the Ohio Judicial Confer.

Judge Croce is an active member in our community. Judge Croce is member of St. Francis DeSales Church. Judge Croce serves on the Women’s Board of Summit County Catholic Charities. She is also a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, member/fellow and Board member of the Akron Bar Association, member of the Akron Crime Clinic, the Fraternal Order of Police Associates #6, Sons of Italy Lodge #685 and the Magic City Kiwanis.