OCTOBER 2, 2025

Court Upholds Life Sentence for Offender Whose Death Sentence Was Commuted

A prison yard cell.

The Supreme Court of Ohio today rejected a prison inmate’s claim that he should be released because his death sentences were commuted to life without the possibility of parole, a form of a life sentence that did not exist at the time he committed the crimes.

OCTOBER 1, 2025

Juvenile Court Can Consider Mother’s Visitation Rights While Child’s Adoption Pending

The Franklin County Juvenile Court can still consider a mother’s request for visitation time with her son while the Franklin County Probate Court considers a pending petition to adopt the child, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

Supreme Court: High School Will Host Justices for Oral Arguments

County map of Ohio with most counties colored red, and others colored grey. A gold star appears over Defiance County.

The Supreme Court of Ohio typically holds oral arguments at its home in Columbus. But next week, the justices will hear cases on Tuesday morning in Columbus, then travel to Defiance County to consider arguments on Wednesday in three cases in front of high school students.

Health Department Permitted To Deny Information Request Regarding Deaths and Vaccinations

A close-up view of a death certificate.

The Ohio Department of Health was within its rights to deny a COVID-19 vaccination researcher access to health data because her requests would require the department to create new records, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

County Auditor Must Continue Assessing Property Taxes To Pay off 2013 Springfield School Levy

A colorful mural on the side of a brick building that reads, 'Greetings from Springfield'

The Clark County auditor must continue to assess taxes resulting from a 2.2 mill bond levy approved in 2013 to upgrade Springfield City Schools, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025

Reopened Appeals Must Specify How Prior Attorney’s Performance Was Deficient

The Supreme Court of Ohio today rejected a Medina County man’s claim that the attorney handling the appeal of his criminal convictions was ineffective because the man failed to specify how his attorney was ineffective.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

“Making the Case:” Video Series Continues to Spotlight Pivotal Cases

“Making the Case” gives you a front-row seat to the Supreme Court of Ohio during oral arguments. Experience the pivotal cases and captivating dialogue between the justices and litigants that lead to decisions from the highest court in the state.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025

Supreme Court: Brokerage Firm Asked To Pay Back $25 Million Bilked From Investors

In 2013, at age 20, Constantine Antonas of Akron opened the Epitome Investment Fund. Antonas began to sell investment opportunities in his new hedge fund.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025

State Must Recalculate Medicaid Payments to Nursing Homes

A brick building with white columns in front and gold numbers '65'

The Ohio Department of Medicaid must recalculate how much it pays nursing homes for care because it provided less funding for incentives to high-quality providers than required by state law, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

AUGUST 28, 2025

Probate Judge Not Obligated To Appoint Township Trustee

A brick building with white columns in front and a brick sign that says 'Sylvania Township.'

Even if the appointment of a Sylvania Township trustee was improper, a fellow trustee cannot compel a county judge to remove and replace the new trustee, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

MORE CASE NEWS »

OCTOBER 2, 2025

First District Judge Excited To Return to Supreme Court

A woman judge sitting on the bench in the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Courtroom

Judge Candace Crouse of the First District Court of Appeals expressed excitement ahead of her assignment on the Supreme Court of Ohio.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

Appellate Judge Brings Passion for Community and Collaboration to Supreme Court

A woman judge with her hand on her chin sitting on the bench in the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Courtroom

Judge Kristin Boggs of the Tenth District Court of Appeals is grateful for her recent opportunity to sit on the Supreme Court during oral arguments.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Army Veteran Appointed Hamilton County Judge

A man wearing a judicial robe in front of a blue background

New to the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court bench is Judge Christopher McDowell, who was recently appointed to the position by Gov. Mike DeWine. Judge McDowell fills an empty seat at the court and must run for election in November 2026 to maintain his judgeship.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2025

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy Highlights Judicial Independence, Timely Justice in Annual State of the Judiciary Address

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of Ohio delivered a powerful and inspiring State of the Judiciary address today at the Ohio Judicial Conference, held at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

Former Prosecutor Begins New Role On Bench

A man in a judicial robe smiling

A new judge took the bench last week in Montgomery County.

AUGUST 12, 2025

Longtime Prosecutor Takes Montgomery County Bench

A woman in a judicial robe smiling

Montgomery County’s newest judge recently took her oath of office during a courtroom ceremony.

JULY 31, 2025

Tenth District Judge Brings Passion for Law and Education to Supreme Court

A woman with short, brown hair and glasses wearing a black judicial robe sits at a wooden bench listening to a man wearing a suit standing before her in the courtoom of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Judge Julia L. Dorrian of the Tenth District Court of Appeals is grateful for her opportunity to hear a case at the Supreme Court of Ohio.

JULY 23, 2025

Tenth District Jurist Brings Diverse Background to Supreme Court Bench

A man wearing a black judicial robe is seated at a wooden bench looking at a man wearing a blue suit standing in front of the bench in the courtroom of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Judge David Leland has made an impact in the world of law and politics for over 50 years in many different capacities. He currently serves as a judge on the Tenth District Court of Appeals – a position he’s held since 2023.

JULY 10, 2025

Celebrating the Northwest Ordinance and Its Legacy

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.

What does a 238-year-old document have to do with justice in Ohio today? More than you might think.July 13, 1787, marks a pivotal day in American history. On this date, the Confederation Congress adopted the Northwest Ordinance, a bold charter for governance that not only shaped the legal foundation of Ohio but continues to inspire our commitment to justice today.

MORE ON THE BENCH »

OCTOBER 2, 2025

Hundreds Helped at Driver’s License Reinstatement Workshop

A man sitting at a table while talking to a woman across the table

Hundreds of individuals in need of legal help received assistance during the Franklin County Municipal Court License Reinstatement Workshop.

OCTOBER 1, 2025

OCLRE Names Mock Trial Coaching Excellence Award Winner

A man smiling holding a glass award wearing a suit

The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE) recently named its 2025 winner of the Lori Urogdy Eiler Award for Mock Trial Coaching Excellence.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025

Hamilton County Specialized Docket Celebrates 30 Years of Changing Lives

The exterior of Hamilton County Court house, a tall building with roman style pillars

Ohio’s first specialized docket serving individuals facing drug addiction celebrated 30 years of dedication to the issue during a recent graduation ceremony.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

Justice Comes to Town: Supreme Court Heading to Defiance County

The enterance to Defiance High School

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Supreme Court of Ohio is traveling to Defiance County for oral arguments. The Court’s traveling civic education program is geared to high school students and part of its Off-Site Court program.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025

Public Comment Period Open on Overall Rule Restructuring, Additional Updates

A wooden gavel resting on a wooden sound block on top of an old book.

A set of proposed changes to better organize the rules that govern courts are open for public comment. A public comment period is also open for additional proposals to update appellate and traffic court rules.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025

Lawyers’ Fund Awards Nearly $200,000 to Clients

The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection reimbursed $197,207  to seven clients at its recent meeting.

Licking County Debuts Courtroom Restoration Documentary

A man wearing an orange safety vest working on an ornate ceiling.

A $3.5 million investment into one of Newark’s most treasured spaces is now open to the public at the Licking County courthouse.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025

Evening Tours Highlight Moyer Judicial Center History

A group of men and women listen to a man in a red shirt speaking to them.

The Supreme Court of Ohio recently hosted evening tours in honor of America's upcoming 250th birthday. This special event showcased the rich history of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, home of the Supreme Court.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025

Registration Open for 2025 Specialized Dockets Conference

Registration is now open for the Supreme Court of Ohio’s annual Specialized Dockets Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Seats of Justice: Wyandot County

Outside Wyandot County Courthouse

The next stop in the exploration through Ohio’s county courthouses takes viewers to northwestern Ohio in Wyandot County!

MORE HAPPENING NOW »

2024 Wrap-Up

Along with deciding cases for Ohio, the Supreme Court also assisted the judicial branch and public by developing courses, offering grants, holding events, and producing publications.

OCTOBER 1, 2025

Ohio health department wins legal battle to restrict COVID data access: Cleveland.com
The Ohio Department of Health was justified in refusing to provide data on COVID-19 deaths and vaccinations in the state to a critic of Gov. Mike DeWine’s coronavirus policies, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Ohio Court Tosses Trespass Charge Over Speedy Trial Error: Law360
An Ohio state appeals court has tossed a man's misdemeanor trespassing charge after finding that he was denied a speedy trial when a prosecutor and judge incorrectly calculated the start of the 45-day window for when his trial was legally required to occur.

 

MORE HEADLINES »