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Welcome!
Jane Hanlin, Jefferson County Prosecutor and 2023 OPAA PresidentOn behalf of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association let me welcome you to our website.  Here you will find information about the role of prosecuting attorneys and our Association.

The prosecutor’s role in the criminal justice system is often misunderstood.  Ohio’s 88 elected county prosecutors are committed to justice.  The prosecutors I know aren’t motivated by “winning” or trying to send everyone to prison for as long as possible. They are motivated by their responsibility to enforce the law, to make their communities safe and to fairly administer justice. And fairness and justice is what matters most of all.  Prosecutors live this every day.

Part of our role is to have a voice in public policy debates affecting the criminal justice system. To that end, Ohio’s prosecutors serve an important function reviewing and advocating for legislation with one goal in mind – the safety and security of our communities.

Ohio’s prosecutors are active in community and civic affairs.  From speaking to school children about the dangers of drugs to serving on numerous committees and commissions, Ohio’s elected prosecutors and their assistants serve in vital roles.

As legal counsel to a variety of County elected officials, offices and agencies your county prosecutor assists in ensuring efficient and responsible county government. 

I’m proud to be a prosecutor and honored to serve as President of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association.  Please take your time and look around.  Hopefully you will find information here that is educational and informative about your county prosecutor. 

Jane Hanlin

Jefferson County Prosecutor
2023 OPAA President

Amicus Committee Guidelines

OPAA Member Webinars

webinar piicture


Ohio's Judicial System: What you should know.

- OPAA Conviction Review Best Practices

- What do county prosecutors do?

- The grand jury

- Plea agreements

- DNA testing

- Death penalty

Upcoming Events:

Executive and Legislative Committee meetings. March 30, Athletic Club of Columbus. 10:30 Legislative, 12:00 lunch, 1:00 Executive

Executive and Legislative Committee meetings. April 19, prior to the OPAA Spring Training. Times to be determined.

Spring Training - April 20th and 21st, Sheraton at Capitol Square, Columbus

Summer Workshop - June 23rd and 24th, Breakers Hotel, Cedar Point

Fall Training - September 28th and 29th, Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square

Juvenile Prosecutor Training - October TBD

Annual Meeting - December 14th and 15th, Hilton Columbus at Easton

Locate Your County Prosecutor

Women's History Month

Every year, March is designated as Women’s History Month and provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women in American history. The OPAA is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Ohio’s twenty female elected/appointed prosecutors, an increase of more than 50% in the past 5 years.  Included in the twenty female prosecuting attorneys is Summit County’s longest serving prosecutor, Sherri Bevan Walsh, who has broken barriers and provided opportunities for other women to achieve success. In 2021, the OPAA recognized Sherri Bevan Walsh as the Outstanding Prosecuting Attorney of the year for her efforts in fighting for the rights of crime victims. She was the third woman to receive the award. Sherri has continued to be a trailblazer in victim advocacy. 

A different theme is chosen each year for Women’s History Month. This year, the theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” which recognizes the women, past and present, who tell our stories. Storytelling can illuminate injustice, create change, and break barriers.  Ohio’s female Prosecuting Attorneys, along with their assistant prosecuting attorneys, tell the stories of victims, ensure that justice is served, and help create safe communities. 

Ohio prosecutors have implemented many programs to create safer communities, including women’s self-defense classes, and developing services for victims of crime by adding a victim advocate staff.

Every day in Ohio, in all 88 counties, female prosecuting attorneys and assistant prosecuting attorneys are telling our stories, protecting victims, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring that justice is served. In addition to combatting compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, these women are also often facing discrimination based on gender expectations. The number of female attorneys in the United States is growing, and in 2022, approximately 40 percent of lawyers in the U.S. were women. As the number of female attorneys and female prosecutors increases in the U.S., we can all work together to help female lawyers break barriers and achieve success.

Please join the OPAA in celebrating the female Prosecuting Attorneys in Allen, Ashtabula, Delaware, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Jefferson, Licking, Lucas, Mahoning, Mercer, Pickaway, Sandusky, Summit, Van Wert, Washington, Williams, and Wayne Counties.   


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