OCTOBER 16, 2025

City Waited Too Long To Claim Immunity in Fallen Tree Lawsuit

A giant stainless steel gavel and sounding block sculpture in a reflecting pool.

Youngstown failed to preserve a defense of immunity in a lawsuit filed after a man died when a city tree fell on him by making the general assertion that the estate “failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted,” the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

OCTOBER 15, 2025

Court Clerk Overcharged by Assessing an Additional $1 Per Page to Make a Record

Five stacks of paper held together with large binder clips

A court of common pleas clerk may charge $1 per page to make a complete record of a court case and only an additional $1 for the entire “service” of making that record, regardless of the number of pages it contains, the Supreme Court of Ohio ruled today.

OCTOBER 6, 2025

Eighth District: Ex Didn’t Abandon Pet Cat After Breakup

A close up of an orange cat laying on a blanket

A woman claiming ownership of an orange tabby cat after a relationship breakup didn’t prove she was the sole owner of the pet and entitled to keep it, the Eighth District Court of Appeals ruled. In addition, her ex’s actions didn’t show abandonment of the cat.

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.

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OCTOBER 6, 2025

Franklin County Court Featured in National Court Journal

A large blue ribbon on a multicolored background of overlapping silhouettes.

“I am sitting in a circle alongside the women of CATCH, sharing stories, offering comfort, laughing, crying, encouraging one another, and walking together on a path toward healing,” wrote Judge Jodi Thomas.

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.

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OCTOBER 16, 2025

Record Setting Number of Students See Justice in Action During 85th Off-Site Court

The Supreme Court of Ohio visited Defiance County to hear oral arguments before a record-setting crowd and inspire the future generation to become legal professionals during the 85th session of the Supreme Court’s traveling civic education program. A total of 1,836 students from schools throughout Defiance County attended oral arguments.

OCTOBER 10, 2025

Conduct Board Announces October Disciplinary Hearings

One disciplinary case is set for hearing before the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct in October. All hearings take place before a three-member panel of the Board, are open to the public, and begin at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

OCTOBER 7, 2025

Register Now for 2025 Lean Forward Veterans Summit

Blue logo with a handshake and heart reads 'Veterans Summit 2025.' Text below: 'Lean Forward Veterans Summit 2025, November 20, 2025,' over an American flag.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Lean Forward Veterans Summit. Each year, Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy convenes the summit, part of the broader Lean Forward initiative seeking to advance treatment for justice-involved veterans in Ohio.

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.

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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 16, 2025

1,800 students hear state Supreme Court case arguments: Toledo Blade
Laela Keller, a senior at Defiance High School, had long considered going to law school. Her interest was piqued further with the opportunity to listen to attorneys present oral arguments to the Ohio Supreme Court at Defiance High School on Wednesday.

Defiance School board hears about Ohio Supreme Court visit: Defiance Crescent-News
The Defiance City Schools Board of Education met Wednesday and received an overview of the Ohio Supreme Court’s visit to the school on Wednesday.

 

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