OCTOBER 6, 2025
Eighth District: Ex Didn’t Abandon Pet Cat After Breakup
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
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
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
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
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.
OCTOBER 6, 2025
Franklin County Court Featured in National Court Journal
“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
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
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
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 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 new judge took the bench last week in Montgomery County.
AUGUST 12, 2025
Longtime Prosecutor Takes Montgomery County Bench
Montgomery County’s newest judge recently took her oath of office during a courtroom ceremony.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 9, 2025
Ohio Supreme Court holds off-site court session in Defiance County: The Bryan Times
The Supreme Court of Ohio brought its courtroom to Defiance County on Wednesday, giving local students and residents a rare, firsthand look at the state’s highest judicial body in action.
The event was part of the Court’s long-running Off-Site Court program, a civic education initiative that began more than 40 years ago to give students the opportunity to observe oral arguments outside Columbus.
Ohio chief justice cites need to inspire youth toward law careers: The Crescent-News
Some 150 local and area attorneys, judges, county and other elected officials, law enforcement and others attended a luncheon Wednesday with members of the Supreme Court of Ohio as honored guests and speakers.
The off-site court luncheon held at the Defiance Eagles followed the Ohio Supreme Court off-site session held at Defiance High School earlier in the day.
Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy opened the luncheon by commending all who took part in and made the off-site court session possible.
“I’d like to say that you have given the students who have participated today a rare opportunity to see the possibilities of a future with a career in the law,” she said. “With education comes the ability to achieve dreams. Thank you for giving the students today a world of possibilities.”
Defiance was the 76th county to host the Supreme Court, and this represented the best student turnout so far, with more than 1,700 students from Defiance, Ayersville, Fairview, Hicksville and Tinora high schools attending.