Female judge dramatically dragged away from court to begin prison sentence

Sensational footage has shown the moment a former juvenile judge had to be dragged from a courtroom by police to begin her immediate prison sentence.

Tracie Hunter, from Ohio, had been fighting her 2014 conviction and sixth-month prison sentence for using her position to help a family member, NBC News reported.

In court on Monday, after exhausting several appeals against her conviction of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, she was forcibly removed.

Her brother Stephen Hunter allegedly struck a young offender while working as a youth corrections officer in 2013, with his boss then recommending he be fired.

Photo of former judge Tracie Hunter being dragged from court after being convicted for illegally helping her brother keep his job.
Tracie Hunter was sentenced to six months jail following for illegally helping her brother keep his job. Source: WLWT

Ms Hunter then requested documents about the teenage offender and handed them over to her brother, according to prosecutors.

Ms Hunter, the first African American elected to Hamilton County's Juvenile Court, had maintained her prosecution was politically motivated.

The courtroom was filled with her supporters the day she had to be dragged away, with one approaching the defence table when the judge’s decision was handed down.

She was handcuffed and taken away by another officer.

A large number had sent letters to the personal address of the presiding judge in the lead-up to the hearing, however his decision was not influenced by the pressure.

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