(Cleveland) – The Honorable Michelle D. Earley will become the Administrative and Presiding Judge for the Cleveland Municipal Court in 2018.

It was a unanimous decision by the judges on the court.

Judge Earley has been on the bench since 2009 and for the past year has been engaged overseeing the Court’s High-Risk Dedicated Domestic Violence Docket.  She came to the court with a strong background in technology and was one of 137 judges in the country to receive a scholarship to participate in a 20 month program designed to enhance the Court’s ability to deal with issues relating to science and technology.  Click here for more background about Judge Earley.

“With the assistance of my colleagues, my goal is to continue moving the Court forward with new technology and innovative practices,” said Judge Earley.

The Cleveland Municipal Court has jurisdiction in misdemeanor cases where the maximum sentence does not exceed one year in jail and/or a fine of not more than $1,000, the initial appearances of those charged with felony offenses committed within its jurisdiction, small claims not exceeding $6,000 and civil disputes that can range as high as $15,000.

“Looking forward, we all want to make the Cleveland Municipal Court the best court in the country in terms of services and assistance to the community, said Judge Earley.

Judge Earley replaces The Honorable Ronald B. Adrine who retires in January after 36 years on the bench, the last nine as Administrative and Presiding Judge.

Click here to read "Michelle D. Earley to replace retiring Ronald Adrine as Cleveland Municipal Court's chief judge" from cleveland.com.