Joseph T. Deters

Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph T. Deters is one of Ohio's most vocal advocates for aggressive prosecution of violent criminals.Joseph Deters began his career in public service in 1982 as an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor, where he learned the impact that violent crime has on families and neighborhoods. As an assistant prosecutor, he dedicated his life to serving and helping our communities.After a notable tenure as a tough assistant prosecutor, he was elected to the position of Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in 1988. While serving as Clerk, Mr. Deters developed his skills as a manager of a large office (350 employees) and gained the respect of other officeholders and the community.In 1992, Mr. Deters returned to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office when he was appointed, and later that year elected, as Prosecuting Attorney of Hamilton County.Joe Deters is now Hamilton County’s longest serving Prosecuting Attorney (1992-1999 and 2005-present). He is an experienced criminal and civil attorney who is recognized as one of the toughest and most innovative prosecutors in the nation. Mr. Deters manages an office of over 170 employees (both Criminal and Civil divisions), which includes assistant prosecutors and support staff. Mr. Deters’ office prosecutes all felony offenses (approximately 10,000 cases per year) and juvenile criminal offenses committed in the county. The office also handles all misdemeanor crimes in the county (approximately 40,000 cases per year) excluding offenses committed in the City of Cincinnati.Mr. Deters serves as Chief Legal Counsel for all county officials, county agencies, townships and various boards. He and his assistant prosecutors appear in all Ohio state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court.As Treasurer of the State of Ohio from 1999 through 2004, he was responsible for the investment and custody of nearly 9 billion dollars in the state treasury. He also managed the 8 billion dollar State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio (STAROHIO). Further, he was the custodian of 160 billion dollars of investments made by the five state pension funds (PERS, STRS, SERS, PFDPF, and HPRS). Joe is a lifelong Cincinnatian and 1975 graduate of St. Xavier High School. In 1979, Joe graduated from the University of Cincinnati, and then the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1982. Joe is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the National District Attorneys Association, and the Joint Task Force to Review the Administration of Ohio’s Death Penalty. He currently serves on the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Board of Trustees, and has previously served on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, the Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation.