The Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals found that the domestic violence statute is constitutional, reversing the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. The Court of Common Pleas decided that the domestic violence statute, when applied to unmarried couples, violates the "gay marriage" amendment to the Ohio Constitution. The Court of Appeals held that the domestic violence law does not create a legal status for unmarried people which approximates marriage. State v. Burk, Cuyahoga App. No. 86162, 2005-Ohio-6727. See Court Upholds Domestic Violence Law by Jim Nichols, The Plain Dealer, Dec. 22, 2005. See our previous post: Twelfth District Holds Domestic Violence Statute Applies to Unmarried Defendant . Previously, a Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations judge upheld the domestic violence statute, finding the "gay marriage" amendment violates the U.S. Constitution. Domestic Relations Judge Holds Ohio Constitution's "Gay Marriage" Language Violates Equal Protection .