Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Jury Duty Explained In Videos Provided By The Ohio Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court has provided the courts of Ohio with educational videos that can be utilized to inform people who have been summoned for jury duty of their role in the judicial system. One video describes the jury process for criminal and civil trials (petit juries), while the other video describes the jury process for a grand jury. Both videos begin and conclude with remarks by Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy of the Ohio Supreme Court.

The video for petit juries provides a description of the Ohio court system and the jury selection process. Jurors will learn about the different stages they will experience, common terms used in a courtroom, courtroom rules, and expected behavior. Jurors will also gain insight into the structure of Ohio courts such as the roles of each court staff member. Jurors will gain a better understanding of court procedures and their overall role as a juror.

The video for grand juries provides an explanation on the responsibilities of a grand jury. The video repeatedly advises jurors that they will not find someone guilty or innocent; instead, they will be determining if there’s enough evidence to charge the accused. Those watching the video will gain better knowledge of the history of the grand jury, including their oath of secrecy. This video also provides jurors with common terms and phrases that may be used in court. 

Each video was produced by the Ohio Judicial Conference, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Supreme Court of Ohio and Ohio Government Telecommunications. The videos can be found on the Ohio Channel’s website. Their overall goals for each video are to provide an educational resource for the judges and courtrooms in Ohio and to better inform the public on the importance of jurors in the judicial system.

Supreme Court Code of Conduct

On Monday, the United States Supreme Court announced that it has formally adopted a code of conduct for the justices. The court issued a 15-page document that included five canons of conduct on issues such as when justices should recuse themselves and acceptable outside activities. 

Effective Today, 3/2/2022, Masks are Optional at the Cleveland Law Library

As of today, 3/2/22, the Cleveland Law Library is adopting the same mask rules laid out in the latest Administrative Order signed by Administrative Judges from the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court, the Cuyahoga County Probate Court, and the Ohio  Eighth District Court of Appeals. As these Courts are, we are following the science regulating the wearing of masks. The bottom line of what this means is that masks are currently optional, but certainly permissible, and unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a mask at all times in the County's 3 courthouses, including the Lakeside Courthouse. Anyone who needs a mask upon entry will still be provided one upon request. If COVID numbers change in the future, our mask guidance will change with it.

Former Cuyahoga County CP Judge Richard M. Markus Receives Award for Judicial Excellence

The Ohio Supreme Court reports that the Ohio Judicial College has just honored former and retired Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Richard M. Markus with the Thomas J. Moyer Award for Judicial Excellence. Judge Markus was praised for being "a nationally prominent litigator and accomplished judge" who "is known for his extraordinary leadership skills and interest in the lives of others." "Judge Markus served on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and the Eighth District Court of Appeals, six chief justices assigned him as a visiting judge for 40 counties and five appellate courts. In addition to his service as a litigator and judge, Judge Markus is a prolific author with a number of books, including “Trial Handbook for Ohio Lawyers [now called Ohio Trial Practice],”and numerous articles to his credit. Also an educator, he was a law professor at Akron, Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State, and Harvard universities, and presented many hundreds of seminar lectures to lawyers and judges in 42 states and four foreign countries. He has served on faculties for M.I.T., the National Judicial College, the Institute for Judicial Administration (New York University), and the Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, and is a co-founder of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy."

Click here to read a Press Release from the Ohio Supreme Court.

Ohio Supreme Court Board Issues Advisory Opinion on Judges Performing Civil Marriages of Same-Sex Couples

On the heels of the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Professional Conduct has issued Advisory Opinion 2015-1. The Syllabus of this Opinion states that:

"A judge who exercises the authority to perform civil marriages may not refuse to perform same-sex marriages while continuing to perform opposite-sex marriages. A judge may not decline to perform all marriages in order to avoid marrying same-sex couples based on his or her personal, moral, or religious beliefs."

The full text of the Opinion can be found at this link, and the Supreme Court's press release can be found at this link.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Getting a Second Drug Court in 2015

Court News Ohio reports that Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is adding a second drug court next year, in 2015, to help provide more defendants with treatment options, instead of prison sentences. 

"Judge Joan Synenberg will oversee the new docket beginning in January, joining Judge David Matia whose drug court has had nearly 250 participants since May 2009. The court’s main goal is to expand the program to include those with substance-use disorder and trauma-related mental health issues.... The addition of a second felony docket will expand availability of treatment for the burgeoning number of defendants with opiate-related diagnoses who require a more intensive treatment. The target is to have 60 participants each year, or 180 for the three-year grant period."

8th District Court of Appeals Judge Kathleen Keough Served as a Visiting Judge on the Ohio Supreme Court Yesterday

If you have not already heard, 8th Disrict Court of Appeals Judge Kathleen Keough served as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court bench yesterday. Judge Keough stepped in for Justice William M. O'Neill, who recused himself in Docks Venture LLC v. Dashing Pacific Group LTD. (Case No. 2013-0473). The case involved contempt of court orders and when a party may appeal the action to a higher court.

Judges Fuerst and Joseph Russo Join Judges O'Donnell and McMonagle on Cuyahoga CP Commercial Docket

Last year, the Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court voted to make its local Commercial Docket permanent. This year, having been appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, Judges Nancy Fuerst and Joseph D. Russo are joining Judges John P. O'Donnell and Richard J. McMonagle on the  Commercial Docket. According to the Press Release, 

"Judge Fuerst, the former Administrative Judge, will begin handling commercial cases
immediately. Judge Russo will begin handling cases on July 1, 2014. Commercial Docket Judges
also continue to hear criminal and civil cases."

Judge Russo Elected as New Administrative Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court

If you have not already seen the Court's Press Release, Judge John Russo was unanimously elected as the new Administrative Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He will start his term in January, where his responsibilities will include presiding over the docket and working on Court policies. The Court's Press Release provides a great snapshot of Judge Russo's background, education and extensive involvement in the legal community. When commenting on his upcoming roles, Judge Russo was quoted as saying: 

“I am excited about leading the Court forward in a collaborative approach with those involved in
the Justice System. I want the opportunity to have a positive working relationship with all the
work force that makes up the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas."

87 Federal Chief Judges, Including N.D. Ohio Chief Judge Solomon Oliver, Send Letter to Congress Requesting Financial Help

N.D. Ohio Chief Judge Solomon Oliver and 86 other federal district court chief judges have signed and sent a joint letter to Congress requesting financial assistance. Analogizing themselves to "the boots on the ground in our nation's federal trial courts," the judges claim that reduced funding and sequestration have forced them to "slash ... operations to the bone." The judges fear that their "constitutional duties, public safety, and the quality of the justice system will be profoundly compromised by any further cuts."