The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct today announced the availability of a new online docket that provides real-time access to case information and documents in lawyer and judge disciplinary cases. Ohio becomes the first jurisdiction to offer a searchable, online docket that is dedicated exclusively to providing information and documents relative to disciplinary cases that are awaiting adjudication before a state disciplinary board.

“Today’s release of the online disciplinary case docket continues efforts of the Board and Supreme Court to bring greater transparency to Ohio’s disciplinary process,” said Board Chairman and Canton lawyer David L. Dingwell. “For the first time, the public will be able to access disciplinary case information online, and this access will enhance the understanding of the process that exists to address professional misconduct allegations against Ohio lawyers and judges.”

The Board’s online case docket contains information about the status of cases pending before the Board and the disposition of disciplinary cases filed since January 2015. For cases pending before the Board, the public will be able to view the complete case docket, determine the status of the case, and view and download case-related documents. The online docket will include general information about disciplinary complaints filed with the Board prior to 2015, although case documents will not be available in those cases.

The online docket allows the public to search for case information by party name or case number and to sort information by case number, date filed, or case status. If the Board has filed a report and recommendation with the Supreme Court, the individual case docket will include a case-specific link to the Supreme Court’s online docket and a link to the Court’s disciplinary opinion once the Court has entered a final disciplinary order.

The online docket represents the third phase of a multi-year technology upgrade undertaken by the Board. Last year, the Board replaced its internal case management system to enhance its record-keeping and case management responsibilities. In May, the Board unveiled a new website, and in 2018 the Board intends to offer an e-filing portal for use by parties in disciplinary cases.