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.

Also previously, she served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Summit County Crimestoppers and the advisory board of the Grandparents Against Sexual Predators, as well as serving on the Pink Ribbon Committee of the Summit County Rally for a Cure.

In November of 2013, Judge Croce was appointed to the Summit County Common Pleas Court after the retirement of Judge Judy Hunter. In November of 2014, she was elected to serve as a Judge in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

Judge Croce is an active member of our community. She is a member of the Akron Bar Association, the Akron Crime Clinic, the Fraternal Order of Police Associates #6, the Magic City Kiwanis, Barberton Rotary Club and Dapper Dan. She is currently coaching, along with Judge Amy Corrigall-Jones, the Trial Team at Saint Vincent/Saint Mary High School.