Judge Michele S.H. Henne

09/17/2026

I was honored to attend the East End Community Services Open House and learn about the various services they provide our community. It was especially meaningful for the organization to recognize Tony Massoud for his outstanding contributions and commitment to serving others.

As a judge, I believe serving our community means showing up, listening, and working to make a difference. I’m committed to bringing that same dedication to service to the bench—because justice is strongest when it is connected to the community it serves.

09/01/2026

Today I visited the Montgomery County Office of Re-Entry and saw firsthand the meaningful support they provide to help individuals build a better future. Their programming includes a four-week Re-Entry Career Alliance Academy, a 4-6 week housing rental education class, a reverse job-fair employment opportunity, and a partnership with many other county agencies.

I observed a “Networking with a Purpose” class, which was more like a group discussion. In discussing the phrase, “more than your record,” two client statements stood out to me. One client stated this meant, “Better yourself to better the outside world.” Another stated it meant, “Make a conscious decision to do something about my future.” Both statements showed their personal accountability and their true effort toward making meaningful change. The Office of Re-Entry has great success - its graduates have significantly lower recidivism rates than those who do not complete the programming.

Thank you to Quinn Howard and staff at the Montgomery County Office of Reentry! I’m grateful for these opportunities to visit these programs and am encouraged by the commitment the staff has to helping people make positive, lasting changes.

08/19/2026

Serving as a judge carries a responsibility to continually learn and grow. Through the Ohio Judicial College, I attended a Crime and Punishment course that included tours of the Ohio State Reformatory and Mansfield Correctional Institution. Seeing these facilities firsthand put the responsibility of considering the purposes and principles of sentencing into perspective.

The conditions at Ohio State Reformatory were stark and deeply troubling. Two words came to mind as I toured the facility: inhumane and degrading. It was difficult to comprehend how an environment like this could ever promote rehabilitation or help individuals successfully return to the community.

In contrast, Mansfield Correctional Institute demonstrated how accountability and rehabilitation can work together—through structured schedules, trade training, educational opportunities, and mental health and substance use treatment.

Experiences like this reinforce why thoughtful, informed sentencing matters and why judges must carefully consider both accountability and the opportunity for individuals to change.

08/08/2026

Earlier this week, I was able to tour Brigid's Path. It was truly an honor to spend time with their incredible team and to see firsthand the life-changing work being done for mothers and their babies. Their compassion, dedication, and commitment to helping families build brighter futures are inspiring. I was grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of such a meaningful day!

08/06/2026

What a year we’ve had! I’ve been a Common Pleas Court Judge for over a year and our court has been BUSY! We’ve presided over a total of 15 trials over the past year: 11 felony criminal jury trials and 4 civil trials. The criminal trials have included a wide variety of offenses including homicide, felonious assault, failure to comply, and domestic violence. Our civil trials have involved medical malpractice, breach of contract, and wrongful imprisonment cases.

Serving the people of our community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Every day reinforces why I chose a career dedicated to justice and public service. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen with an open mind, treat every person with fairness and respect, and uphold the rule of law.

I truly love this work and remain committed to serving our community. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I am proud to have earned the trust and support of so many across our community, and I look forward to continuing to serve with fairness, integrity, and dedication.

07/24/2026

Last week, I had the privilege of administering the oath of office to the newest members of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Welcoming dedicated public service employees as they begin this important chapter is always an honor.

Working for Montgomery County and serving our community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Public service is about making a positive difference in the lives of others, and I know they will play an important role in that mission. Congratulations, and welcome!

The court celebrated our newest group of colleagues at the most recent New Employee Reception! Making for a warm and cheerful morning, New Employee Receptions are regular events that allow everyone around the court to greet new employees and attend their oath of office ceremony. This time, Judge Hen...

07/22/2026

One year ago today, I had the incredible honor of being sworn in as Judge of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

Over the past year, I have worked every day to uphold the rule of law, treat everyone who comes before the court with fairness and respect, and ensure cases are handled thoughtfully and efficiently. Serving on the bench has been both a privilege and a profound responsibility, and this year has reinforced my commitment to the principles of justice and public service.

I am grateful to my family, friends, colleagues, and our community for their support throughout this journey. As I reflect on this milestone, I am optimistic about the opportunity to continue serving our community with the same dedication, integrity, and proven judicial experience that have guided me throughout my first year on the bench.

07/16/2026

On Tuesday, July 14, I had the privilege and honor of being one of the keynote speakers for New Season Treatment Center Ribbon Cutting Event. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! Your work will not only change lives; you are investing in strengthening families, improving public safety, and making our community stronger.

As a judge, I have a first-hand view of the devastating impact substance use disorders have. The justice system has an obligation to hold individuals accountable for their actions. Accountability is essential to maintaining public trust, protecting our communities, and upholding the rule of law. The courts, healthcare providers, law enforcement officers, treatment professionals, social service agencies, and community organizations each have a role to play. Lasting progress depends on collaboration and on our shared commitment to helping individuals move from addiction to recovery while preserving public safety and confidence in our justice system.

Congratulations on this achievement, and thank you for your continued commitment to serving our community!

07/11/2026

In less than a week, I have the honor of serving as one of the keynote speakers at the opening of New Seasons Treatment Center, a new substance use treatment facility in our community.

From the bench, I see every day how substance use impacts not only individuals, but also families, victims, and entire communities. It plays a role in many of the cases that come before the court, reminding us that accountability and access to effective treatment must go hand in hand.

You're invited to join us as we celebrate an important milestone for the Dayton, Ohio community. As we prepare for the planned Summer 2026 opening of the New Season Treatment Center in Dayton, Ohio, we invite you to attend our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House on Tuesday, July 14. While patient...

07/10/2026

One of the most rewarding parts of serving as a judge is helping the next generation learn about our justice system and hopefully inspiring our next generation of leaders.

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting two high school students participating in the Law and Leadership Institute in our court. They observed jury selection in a criminal trial, attended our criminal docket, and learned how criminal cases come before the court and the many people who work together to ensure justice is served fairly.

These opportunities to open the courthouse doors and educate students about the rule of law are an important part of public service. I hope they left with a greater appreciation for our justice system and the many career paths available within it.

A sincere thank you to Dennis Lieberman for taking time out of his busy day to speak with the students about his career journey. Experiences like these are possible because dedicated professionals are willing to invest in the next generation.

Connecting with our community, encouraging civic engagement, and helping others better understand our courts are among the most rewarding parts of this job.