Middletown’s new judge will take office next week

Middletown’s new judge will take office next week.

Municipal Court Judge-elect James Sherron will be sworn in at 5 p.m. Monday during a ceremony at Johnston Hall at Miami University Middletown.

Municipal Judge Melynda Cook-Howard’s last day on the bench will be Monday, and Sherron will begin hearing cases Tuesday, according to Steve Longworth, court administrator.

Sherron won a contentious three-way race in November that included Cook-Howard and Elizabeth Yauch to complete the final two years of the late Judge Mark Wall's term. Wall died in February.

Cook-Howard was appointed to the bench by Gov. John Kasich in May and was required to be elected for the final two years of Wall’s term.

In October, Cook-Howard and Marilyn Hatfield, a Butler County GOP Central Committee member, filed campaign complaints against Sherron.

The two-count complaint alleged Sherron “knowingly or with reckless disregard posted material” that stated he was licensed to practice in all federal courts as well as implied he was the judge of Middletown Municipal Court.

The three-member panel of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recommended Sherron be sanctioned for the violation and that he pay a total of $800 in fines and pay $1,099 for the costs of the proceedings.

A five-judge panel appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the hearing panel’s recommendations.

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