A new legal education program titled By The People has been developed by the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and community partners to open a dialog with the public on various legal issues.

The first seminar, Domestic Violence: How Cases Are Handled in Our County’s Legal System, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12, in the former County Council Chambers on the first floor of the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, 1200 Ontario Street in Cleveland. The free program will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and afterward domestic violence advocates will be available for free advice and counseling.

Panelists for the program are expected to include:

• Judge Ronald Adrine, Cleveland Municipal Court administrative judge
• Timothy McGinty, Cuyahoga County prosecutor
• Judge K.J. Montgomery, Shaker Heights Municipal Court
• Judge Diana Palos, Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court administrative judge
• Judge John J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court administrative and presiding judge
• Jill Smialek, The Family Justice Center manager and victim advocate
• Judge Kristin Sweeney, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court administrative judge
• Robert Tobik, Cuyahoga County chief public defender

Some of the key issues in dealing with domestic violence cases are expected to be discussed, including:

• Differences between protection, temporary restraining, and no-contact orders
• Bystander intervention
• The effects on children

After the group discussion, audience members may direct questions to the panel.