Judge Jeannine Pratt is a judge of the General Division of the Miami County Court of Common Pleas in Troy, Ohio. She was elected in 2014, took office on February 9, 2015, and was re-elected in 2020. Before that, she spent years as an assistant prosecutor in the same county. Miami County
Most people searching her name right now are following the aggravated murder trial of Caleb Flynn, which she is presiding over. Others know her from the county’s Second Chance Drug Court, which she has overseen since 2019. This profile covers her education, career, court, cases and public record, and it says plainly where reliable public sources run out.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Hon. Jeannine N. Pratt |
| Profession | Judge |
| Court | Miami County Court of Common Pleas, General Division |
| Location | Safety Building, 201 W. Main St., Troy, Ohio |
| First elected | November 4, 2014 |
| Took office | February 9, 2015 |
| Re-elected | 2020 |
| Current election status | Unopposed for a six-year term on the November 3, 2026 ballot |
| Undergraduate degree | B.A., Franklin and Marshall College (1989) |
| Law degree | Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (1993) |
| Bar admissions | Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to her court biography |
| Prior career | Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County (18 years); insurance defense and domestic relations practice |
| Administrative role | Administrative Judge of the court, five terms |
| Specialized court | Presiding judge of the Second Chance Drug Court since 2019 |
Who Is Judge Jeannine Pratt?
Judge Jeannine N. Pratt is an elected Common Pleas judge in Miami County, Ohio, who previously worked as a county prosecutor. She hears felony criminal cases, civil disputes and domestic relations matters, serves as the court’s Administrative Judge, and presides over its Second Chance Drug Court.
Miami County sits north of Dayton, and its county seat is Troy. The General Division is the county’s main trial court for serious crimes and larger civil cases. Judge Pratt is one of two judges assigned to it.
Early Life and Background
Reliable public sources do not provide enough information to confirm her birthplace, hometown, parents or childhood. Her official court biography begins with her college education rather than her upbringing.
What the record does show is that she attended college in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and later built her legal career in Ohio. She lives in Troy with her husband and two children. Beyond that, she keeps a limited public profile regarding her personal history. Miami County
Education and Law School
Judge Pratt earned a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1989. She received her law degree from Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, in 1993. Miami CountyMiami County
Her court biography says she is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. Readers who need to confirm current standing can use the attorney directory on the Supreme Court of Ohio website. The court’s biography is the source for the licensing claim, and this article has not independently checked either state’s registry. Miami County
Legal Career Before Becoming a Judge
Before her election, Judge Pratt served for 18 years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County. Some secondary profiles say 17 years. The county’s official biography says 18, so that is the figure used here. Miami County
In that role she handled thousands of child abuse and neglect cases and felony criminal cases, and she represented county departments and townships. Child abuse and neglect cases are civil proceedings in which the state asks a court to decide whether a child needs protection. Felony cases are the most serious criminal matters, and county departments and townships call on a county prosecutor for ordinary legal advice and representation. Miami County
She also practiced for several years in insurance defense and domestic relations law. Insurance defense means representing insured people or businesses when they are sued. Domestic relations covers divorce, custody and related family matters. Miami County
That mix maps closely onto the docket she now handles. The General Division decides felony criminal cases, civil cases above $500 in dispute, and domestic relations cases. The overlap is an observation about her record, not a claim about how she rules. Miami County
How Jeannine Pratt Became a Judge
Pratt won the primary on May 6, 2014, with 53.8 percent of the vote against Stacy M. Wall, and she was unopposed in the general election on November 4, 2014. Her primary opponent shares a name with the other General Division judge, Stacy M. Wall, who now serves beside her. Ballotpedia
The seat opened after a retirement. A profile that reproduces her court biography says she was elected to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert J. Lindeman. This detail comes from a secondary source and is worth confirming against the county’s records before you rely on it. Trellis
She took office on February 9, 2015, and was re-elected in 2020. The margin of her 2020 result was not found in the sources reviewed, so none is given here. Miami County
She is on the ballot again this fall. Dayton Daily News reports she is unopposed for a six-year term as a Miami County Common Pleas judge on November 3, 2026. Common Pleas judges in Ohio are elected to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot. DaytonDailyNews.comMiami County
Judge Jeannine Pratt on the Miami County Court of Common Pleas
Two judges serve in the General Division, Judge Pratt and Judge Stacy M. Wall. They preside over jury trials and trials to the court. A “trial to the court” is a bench trial, where the judge decides the facts without a jury. Miami County
Two magistrates also serve in the division. They handle domestic relations matters, including post-decree motions and civil protection orders, and they can take referrals in civil and criminal cases. Magistrates are appointed court officers who hear certain matters and make recommendations to the judges. Miami County
A court administrator, working under the judges’ direction, handles the non-judicial side of the court, such as finances, statistics, employment, public records and jurors. The court sits in the county Safety Building in Troy, and residents can reach the Common Pleas Court at (937) 440-6010. Miami County
Administrative Judge Role
Her official biography says Judge Pratt currently serves as the court’s Administrative Judge, a position she has held for five terms. The sources reviewed do not say how long each term lasts or what years the terms cover, so this article does not give dates. Miami County
In Ohio, courts with more than one judge designate an administrative judge to oversee how the court runs. That work generally covers docket management and case assignment, along with coordination between the judges and court staff. The Supreme Court of Ohio also maintains an online portal for administrative judges, which shows how the role fits into the statewide system.
Judge Jeannine Pratt and the Second Chance Drug Court
What the Second Chance Drug Court Is
Treatment courts exist because incarceration alone often fails people whose crimes are driven by addiction. Pratt has said the court’s founders saw the same people committing drug-related crimes repeatedly, a revolving door that a new approach was meant to interrupt. Miami County
Pratt describes the program as judicially supervised and designed for non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse, offering an alternative to traditional proceedings that combines treatment, supervision, accountability and support services. She says it is one of roughly 170 drug court programs in Ohio. Tippecanoe GazetteTippecanoe Gazette
When Pratt Began and How the Program Is Built
Judge Pratt has presided over the court since 2019. The program was started more than 20 years ago by Judge Jeffrey Welbaum and Thom Grim of the Miami County Recovery Council. Welbaum and Judge Chris Gee were the previous presiding judges. Press Releases | Miami County, OH – Official Website +2
In 2022 the docket was renamed the Second Chance Drug Court to reflect its focus on rehabilitation and second chances. The program has three phases: adjusting to the requirements, examining the issues behind the addiction, and addressing other life concerns. Participants who finish all three and stay sober for at least six months can qualify for graduation. Miami CountyMiami County
The team includes licensed treatment providers, law enforcement and probation officers, led by a specialized docket judge. The court has also added a peer support specialist, a person with lived experience of recovery who supports participants. Miami CountyMiami County
Graduations and Community Events
During National Drug Court Month in May, the court has held a community cleanup at Troy’s Community Park and an annual graduation ceremony attended by elected officials, treatment providers, participants and families. The county’s page does not give the year for that event. Miami County
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, county officials gathered at Hobart Arena in Troy to mark the program’s 25th anniversary, with both retired presiding judges present. In May 2026, the court held another graduation, where Pratt addressed each graduate individually and participants displayed an art exhibit. Miami Valley TodayMiami Valley Today
What the Court Says About Results
Pratt has said the docket is challenging by design and has stated that drug court participants are significantly less likely to be re-arrested than people processed through traditional courts. That is her statement at a graduation, and this article does not independently verify Miami County outcome data. Readers who want measured results should look for reports from the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Specialized Dockets Section. Tippecanoe Gazette
In 2023, Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy appointed her to the Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets, a 22-member board, for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2023. The commission advises the court on statewide standards for specialized dockets. It also makes final certification decisions. The sources reviewed do not say whether her appointment has been renewed. Miami County
Notable Cases and Court Proceedings
Only proceedings with clear public significance or a documented judicial role are included here. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted.
State of Ohio v. Caleb Flynn (2026)
Legal issue. Caleb Flynn, 40, is accused of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn, at their Tipp City home on February 16, 2026. He is charged with aggravated murder, two counts of felonious assault, three counts of tampering with evidence and two misdemeanor counts of intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness. Reporting says he pleaded not guilty to all counts at his arraignment. These are accusations that the State must prove at trial. DaytonDailyNews.comBiography
Why it drew attention. Flynn is a former “American Idol” contestant, and the trial is being followed closely. Prosecutors and the defense both argued that the heavy publicity could threaten a fair jury. If convicted of the most serious charge, he could face life in prison without parole. Caleb Flynn trial: Former ‘American Idol’ contestant stands trial for Ohio murder of wife Ashley Flynn, who encouraged his dream – ABC7 Los Angeles +2
Judge Pratt’s role. She is the presiding judge, so her work has been procedural and constitutional. Her main rulings so far include:
- Scheduling. She granted the State a continuance after finding good cause and no prejudice to the defendant. She later set the trial to begin September 17, 2026. Dayton 247 NowBiography
- Venue and jury. She denied a defense motion to change venue and a State motion to sequester the jury. She wrote that the State had not shown prejudicial publicity or outside influence requiring sequestration, and she left the issue open if circumstances changed during trial. Dayton 247 Now
- Media access. She allowed video and audio recording of everyone except the Flynns’ children, who are set to testify and will be heard by audio only. WDTN
- Separation of witnesses. Her order keeps witnesses bound until the court expressly releases them, and finishing testimony does not release them automatically. She allowed only the victim’s father to be exempt, ruling that the victim’s mother, sister and brother-in-law had not been established as victims under Article I, Section 10a(D) of the Ohio Constitution or R.C. 2930.01(H). The dispute turned on how far Marsy’s Law, Ohio’s crime victims’ rights amendment, extends. WHIO TV 7 and WHIO RadioWHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio
Current status. Jury selection took place in the larger courtroom of Miami County Municipal Court. Judge Pratt told prospective jurors they were suited for the jury if they could set aside what they knew or had heard about the case. Nearly all said they had seen coverage. Opening statements and the first witness testimony began on Friday, September 18, with Pratt first instructing the jury on the law. No verdict has been reported as of September 19, 2026. Judge denies venue change, jury sequestration motions in Caleb Flynn murder case +2
State v. Joshua Mize (2022)
This case shows a different side of her work. Joshua Mize, 30, was initially charged with murder in the September 2021 death of a one-year-old child in Bradford. He later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, child endangering, tampering with evidence and theft.
The prosecutor said the plea deal reflected trial risk after a deputy county coroner changed his opinion on the cause of death from homicide to accidental. Prosecutors and the defense jointly recommended 15 to 19 years. Judge Pratt rejected that recommendation after her own review of the evidence, and she imposed the maximum sentence of 18 to 23.5 years.
A joint sentencing recommendation is not binding in Ohio, so a judge may impose a different sentence. At the hearing she said the decision was not taken lightly and called the defendant’s actions “just plain evil.” The victim’s name and the details of the abuse are left out of this profile for privacy.
Judge Jeannine Pratt’s Courtroom Role and Judicial Approach
No published judicial philosophy statement from Judge Pratt was found, so this section sticks to documented behavior. In the Flynn matter, her written rulings tie each decision to a stated legal standard, and she reserved the right to revisit sequestration if trial events required it.
Her public remarks come mostly from ceremonies and sentencing. At the drug court graduation she described the program as challenging by design. At the Mize sentencing, she said she independently evaluated the plea recommendation before rejecting it. Tippecanoe Gazette
Any characterization of her temperament or motives would be speculation, and none is offered here.
Judge Jeannine Pratt’s Professional Achievements
- Judicial service. She has served on the General Division bench since February 9, 2015, and won re-election in 2020. Miami County
- Prosecutorial service. 18 years as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County. Miami County
- Administrative leadership. Five terms as the court’s Administrative Judge. Miami County
- Specialized docket work. Drug court presiding judge since 2019, plus an appointment to the Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets starting January 1, 2023. Miami County
- Recognition. The county’s page says the Ohio Supreme Court has honored her for Excellence in Case Management. The page does not give a year, and this article does not name a specific award or date. Miami County
- Professional memberships. Miami County Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association and Ohio Common Pleas Court Association. Miami County
Personal Life and Family
Her official biography says she lives in Troy with her husband and two children. Reliable public sources do not provide enough information about hobbies or community activities beyond her professional memberships and court programs. Her husband’s name and her children’s details are private and are not published here. Miami County
Judge Jeannine Pratt Age and Birthday
Reliable public sources do not provide enough information to confirm her date of birth or age. Her graduation years are documented, but age is not calculated from them because that would only be a guess.
Judge Jeannine Pratt Salary and Net Worth
Ohio sets judicial pay by statute. The Supreme Court of Ohio’s salary chart lists the 2026 salary for Common Pleas judges at $171,982. That figure combines a state share with a local per capita share paid by the county. It is the statutory salary for the office. It is not a report of her personal earnings, and it does not include benefits. Supreme Court of OhioSupreme Court of Ohio
Net worth is different. It measures everything a person owns minus everything owed, and a judicial salary reveals nothing about it. There is no reliable public source establishing Judge Jeannine Pratt’s personal net worth. Any figure on a celebrity-style site should be treated as unsupported.
Recent News and Current Role
Judge Pratt remains a sitting General Division judge, Administrative Judge and drug court judge per the county’s current pages. The most recent documented activity includes:
- May 2026: She addressed graduates at the Second Chance Drug Court graduation. Miami Valley Today
- August 25, 2026: She held the final pretrial conference in the Flynn case, where she said no plea offers had been made by either side. Dayton 247 Now
- September 14, 2026: She heard pretrial motions and granted the defense request to separate witnesses. Reporting lists 128 potential witnesses for the defense and 172 for the prosecution. DaytonDailyNews.comDaytonDailyNews.com
- September 17, 2026: Jury selection began.
- September 18, 2026: Opening statements and witness testimony began. Dayton 247 Now
- November 3, 2026: She is unopposed on the ballot for a new six-year term. DaytonDailyNews.com
12 Facts About Judge Jeannine Pratt
- She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1989 and her law degree in 1993. Miami County
- She is licensed in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to her court biography. Miami County
- She spent 18 years as a Miami County assistant prosecutor before joining the bench. Miami County
- She was unopposed in the November 2014 general election. Ballotpedia
- Her 2014 primary opponent was Stacy M. Wall, who now serves alongside her. Ballotpedia
- She took office on February 9, 2015. Miami County
- She has served five terms as the court’s Administrative Judge. Miami County
- She has presided over the drug court since 2019. Miami County
- The drug court was renamed the Second Chance Drug Court in 2022. Miami County
- The Chief Justice of Ohio appointed her to the Commission on Specialized Dockets in 2023. Miami County
- Her court hears felony criminal, civil and domestic relations cases. Miami County
- She is unopposed in the November 3, 2026 election. DaytonDailyNews.com
Why People Search for Judge Jeannine Pratt
The largest driver right now is the Caleb Flynn trial. Anyone following that case will see her name in nearly every report, since she rules on motions, instructs the jury and controls courtroom procedure.
Local readers also search for her because of the Second Chance Drug Court, whose graduations get regional coverage. Others land on her name while looking up the Miami County Common Pleas Court, the November ballot or case information. Judges’ names surface in search whenever their rulings make news, and searchers should not read popularity into that.
7. FAQ
1. Who is Judge Jeannine Pratt?
She is a judge of the General Division of the Miami County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio and a former Miami County assistant prosecutor.
2. What court does Judge Jeannine Pratt serve on?
The Miami County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.
3. Where is Judge Jeannine Pratt’s court?
The court sits in the Safety Building at 201 W. Main St., Third Floor, Troy, Ohio 45373.
4. When did Jeannine Pratt become a judge?
She was elected in 2014 and took office on February 9, 2015. Miami County
5. Was Jeannine Pratt a prosecutor?
Yes. She served 18 years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Miami County. Miami County
6. Where did Jeannine Pratt go to college?
Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she earned a B.A. in 1989. Miami County
7. Where did Jeannine Pratt attend law school?
Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, in Lansing, Michigan, class of 1993. Miami County
8. Is Jeannine Pratt licensed to practice law?
Her court biography says she is licensed in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Check the state attorney registries for current standing. Miami County
9. What type of cases does Judge Pratt handle?
Felony criminal cases, civil cases above $500 in dispute, and domestic relations cases. Miami County
10. What is Judge Jeannine Pratt known for?
Her work on the Second Chance Drug Court, her long tenure as Administrative Judge, and her role as presiding judge in the Caleb Flynn trial.
11. What is the Second Chance Drug Court?
It is a judicially supervised treatment docket in Miami County that combines treatment, supervision and accountability for people with substance abuse issues in non-violent cases. It took its current name in 2022. Miami County
12. When did Judge Pratt begin overseeing Drug Court?
In 2019. Miami County
13. Is Judge Jeannine Pratt married?
Her official biography says she lives with her husband and two children in Troy. Miami County
14. Does Judge Jeannine Pratt have children?
Yes, according to the same biography, she has two children. No further details are public or appropriate to publish. Miami County
15. How old is Judge Jeannine Pratt?
Reliable public sources do not provide enough information to confirm this detail.
16. When is Judge Jeannine Pratt’s birthday?
Reliable public sources do not provide enough information to confirm this detail.
17. What is Judge Jeannine Pratt’s salary?
Ohio’s statutory 2026 salary for a Common Pleas judge is $171,982. That is the salary set for the office, not a verified statement of her personal pay. Supreme Court of Ohio
18. What is Judge Jeannine Pratt’s net worth?
There is no reliable public source establishing Judge Jeannine Pratt’s personal net worth.
19. What are Judge Jeannine Pratt’s most notable cases?
The 2026 State of Ohio v. Caleb Flynn aggravated murder trial and the 2022 sentencing in State v. Joshua Mize are the two most publicly documented.
20. Where can I find official information about Judge Jeannine Pratt?
The Miami County official website (biography and court pages), the Supreme Court of Ohio’s judge and attorney directories, and the Miami County Clerk of Courts for case records.
8. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Earns B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College |
| 1993 | Earns law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School |
| About 18 years before 2014 | Serves as Miami County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (exact start year not given in official sources) |
| May 6, 2014 | Wins primary with 53.8 percent of the vote |
| November 4, 2014 | Elected, unopposed in the general election |
| February 9, 2015 | Takes office on the General Division bench |
| 2019 | Begins presiding over the drug court |
| 2020 | Re-elected |
| 2022 | Drug court renamed the Second Chance Drug Court |
| Early May 2022 | Sentences Joshua Mize to 18 to 23.5 years |
| January 1, 2023 | Begins three-year term on the Commission on Specialized Dockets |
| September 17, 2025 | Attends the drug court’s 25th anniversary celebration |
| February 16, 2026 | The death of Ashley Flynn, which begins the Flynn case |
| May 2026 | Second Chance Drug Court graduation |
| September 14, 2026 | Rules on pretrial motions in the Flynn case |
| September 17 to 18, 2026 | Jury selection and opening statements |
| November 3, 2026 | Unopposed on the ballot for a new six-year term |
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