Greene County Juvenile Court Magistrate Receives Award

Greene County Juvenile Court Magistrate Cynthia Thompson, is the recipient of the June Amstutz Award for outstanding volunteer advocacy. The award was presented by the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney, David D. Hayes, in appreciation for Thompson’s long-time service to the community.

“Magistrate Thompson has a tireless dedication to the youth in our community,” says Greene County Juvenile Judge Amy Lewis. The majority of cases she hears deal with abused, neglected and dependent children. In these cases, she strives to protect children, provide due process to parents, monitor the action of the child protective services agency, provide permanency for children, ensure their well-being, and to permit all parties an opportunity to be heard.


Magistrate Thompson also facilitates the court process when a civil protection order has been requested by a victim, and the respondent is a juvenile. When hearing these cases, she has been known to clear the courtroom, in order to empower the victim to tell their story. Magistrate Thompson describes her role as giving a voice to the voiceless. “Victims are often silenced. I tell them not to let someone take their voice. I try to help them find their voice.”

A native of Dayton Ohio, Magistrate Thompson graduated with her undergraduate degree from Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida. She subsequently obtained a Juris Doctorate, a Master’s degree and a Doctorate degree.

When licensed to practice in Ohio, Magistrate Thompson worked at Lexis-Nexis Corporation as a research attorney before venturing into private practice. In 1994, she opened her own office focusing primarily on Juvenile Law and Criminal Defense. In July 1999, she became the first African American appointed to the Greene County Ohio Juvenile Court. She has also served locally as an adjunct professor and advocate of Family Violence Awareness.

“I can make a positive difference in some child’s life on a daily basis,” says Magistrate Thompson. “I view this as an investment in our future.”

The June Amstutz Award is awarded annually by the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office for outstanding volunteer advocacy. June Amstutz was a long time Victim/Witness volunteer who lost her life to cancer at the age of 64.

“Drawing on her training and years of experience, maintaining a fair and unbiased approach, and exercising compassion for the most vulnerable, Magistrate Cynthia Thompson demonstrates all the best qualities of a dedicated professional in service to her community and is deserving of this award,” states Prosecutor Hayes.