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IN DEPTH

2024 Wrap-Up

As the year adjourns, here are highlights of the Supreme Court of Ohio's innovative approaches to move the judicial branch forward and better serve those who become involved in the justice system.

By Kathleen Maloney | December 2024
The Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center as seen from the Scioto Mile.

At the Supreme Court of Ohio in 2024, the justices dealt with the state’s toughest legal issues in hundreds of rulings. A task force presented recommendations on how to help people thrive after incarceration. In addition, a guide for writing court opinions and briefs was updated for the legal profession, and veterans, students, and children were the focus of educational events. The Court also opened its doors to visitors for a few evenings, and veterans were recognized with a new, special space in the building to honor their service.

Progress by Courts Central in State of the Judiciary
In her annual State of the Judiciary in September, Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy emphasized the importance of advances within the judiciary. In the address to more than 400 judges and court personnel attending the Ohio Judicial Conference, Chief Justice Kennedy focused on key initiatives for enhancing the operations of Ohio courts, underscoring the judiciary’s role in adapting to a rapidly changing world.

A woman wearing a red business suit stands at a white podium in front of a blue curtain.

In September, Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy delivered the annual State of the Judiciary.

“Dynamic innovation is essential to advancing the efficient and effective administration of justice,” Chief Justice Kennedy said.

Among the projects she highlighted:

  • Judicial groups have collaborated on forms and resources related to Marsy’s Law, ensuring broader access to justice for victims.
  • Courts are working to improve the reporting of case information to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The chief justice emphasized the critical role of accurate reporting for public safety and urged judges to review their processes to ensure compliance and effectiveness.
  • E-filing is expanding, as one crucial step toward modernizing Ohio’s courts.
  • Timely case resolution is essential for maintaining a well-functioning court system and significant achievements have been made in this area.

Task Force Recommends Steps for Transitions After Incarceration
In September, the Supreme Court of Ohio Reentry Task Force released its final report. The task force was instituted by Chief Justice Kennedy and charged with studying the challenges surrounding reentry after incarceration. More than 18,000 people were released in 2022 from Ohio prisons and an estimated 75,000 exited jails. The task force report makes 16 recommendations to support holistic approaches for improving outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals. Programs that help people successfully transition out of prison or jail also benefit society by deterring relapses into crime and enhancing public safety, the report stated. Given the need for multifaceted approaches and solutions at the state and local levels, the report presents recommendations for each branch of government – judicial, executive, and legislative.

Veterans Were Focus of Summit and Legal Assistance Materials
At the 10th annual Lean Forward Veterans Summit in November, the common goal was sharing resources and programs to support Ohio veterans. The theme, “Special Populations,” reflected an emphasis on helping aging veterans and military families.

A woman wearing a white cable knit sweater sits alone at a round table with a white table cloth. In front of her is a laptop. She has her hands clasped and resting on her chin and she is smiling. A row of men and women wearing Air Force dress uniforms. Three men wearing Air Force honor guard uniforms stand in line preparing to descend a staircase.

A November summit (top) explored effective ways to support veterans. The 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base were special guests at the unveiling (center; bottom) of new veteran-centered exhibits in the Court’s Visitor Education Center.

Participants included treatment courts and law enforcement, mental and physical health providers, and county veterans service agencies. Issues that veterans frequently experience – such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, accessibility hardships due to physical disabilities, and homelessness – were discussed. The summit also recognized Purple Star Schools, an Ohio initiative to support students and families connected to the U.S. military. The program has become the country’s “purple standard” for pre-K and K-12 military efforts and supports, with the original Ohio initiative now implemented in 45 states.

This year, the Supreme Court also made available a new poster and printable flyer compiling statewide legal assistance resources for veterans and their families. A QR code on the materials quickly connects veterans with help close to home. Assistance can address many legal issues, including bankruptcy and debt, divorce, custody, domestic violence and stalking, housing issues and foreclosure, and expungement and record sealing.

Veterans Honored in New Visitor Center Exhibits
To salute veterans and commemorate Veterans Day, two new exhibits were unveiled in November in the Visitor Education Center at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center. “Tuskegee Airmen: Portraits in Courage” and “Justices in Uniform” are the first exhibits in the center to specifically show appreciation for the country’s veterans.

“Our goal with these exhibits is to demonstrate to the 10,000 students and countless adults who tour our Visitor Education Center each year that great sacrifices took place and history was made by these and other heroes of past generations,” Chief Justice Kennedy said to the audience, which included students and faculty from three local high schools, and personnel from the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

“Justices in Uniform” identifies the 42 Supreme Court of Ohio justices who have served in the U.S. armed forces. Their service occurred from 1804 to 2001 across several branches of the military.

“Tuskegee Airmen: Portraits in Courage” features the Court’s five-portrait collection of Tuskegee Airmen pilots. The portraits were painted by Delaware County artist Robert E. Tanner, who donated the paintings to the Court. His hope was that the public would see them and remember a group of men who fought for the United States and contributed to social change and racial equality in America.

Process for Assigning Judges Reformed
Under the leadership of Chief Justice Kennedy, the Ohio judiciary has been encouraged to rethink processes, embrace new tools, and foster a culture of continuous improvement to best serve Ohioans. This commitment is exemplified by the improvements made to the Judicial Assignment Program – which assigns sitting or retired judges to temporarily fill judicial vacancies.

October marked the one-year anniversary of significant program reforms, aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing delays in case proceedings. The changes and successes were described in the inaugural Judicial Assignment Program Annual Report, published by the Supreme Court. Improvements included:

  • Clearer governance: Streamlined guidelines that enhance clarity and eliminate confusion.
  • Enhanced technology: Upgrades to the Interactive Generator of Online Requests (IGOR), the online tool judges and court staff use to submit requests for assignments of judges.
  • Faster response times: Reduced turnaround from several weeks to less than one day.
  • Cost savings: Ohio taxpayers saved $325,000 in 2023, despite an increase in retired judge assignments.

Court Rules on Ballot Issues, Juvenile Record Sealing, and Opioid Litigation

Legal Writing Guide Updated
A new edition of the Supreme Court of Ohio Writing Manual took effect in June with the goal to improve the readability of legal documents. The Writing Manual is the Ohio authority in the legal profession for the structure, style, and format of opinions from all courts. It is also widely used as the standard when drafting briefs and pleadings.

Chief Justice Kennedy established a committee to revise the Writing Manual in February 2023 to address technological innovations in the decade since the last edition was released, and to simplify legal writing and adapt it to modern times. The committee was chaired by Justice R. Patrick DeWine. Justice Melody Stewart also served on the committee, which was made up of prosecutors, defense attorneys, law clerks, and legal writing instructors.

Supreme Court Supports Technology Upgrades for Local Courts
Modernizing court operations across the Ohio judicial branch is a priority for the Supreme Court, which assists in these efforts through its Technology Grant Program. In May, the Court awarded funding to local courts for 35 technology projects. Many courts sought to update aging case management software and obsolete computer systems. Original vendors often don’t support the technology any longer. Courts in 25 counties received a total of $2.89 million in funding, which ranged from $9,500 to $150,000.

A man smiles and gestures to men and women seated in red velvet chairs in the courtroom of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Evening tours of the Moyer Judicial Center for two nights in September attracted 200-plus visitors.

Hundreds Welcomed at Supreme Court ‘Open Doors’ Evenings
The Supreme Court’s first Open Doors after-hours tours brought more than 200 visitors to the Moyer Judicial Center during two memorable evening events in September. The program was promoted by the Ohio History Connection to inspire pride in Ohio’s heritage by inviting state landmarks to open their doors to the public.

Tours of the Supreme Court’s home are usually conducted during business hours. The event was a new opportunity for visitors from around the state to see the building, which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, at a time that might be more convenient around busy schedules. Guests included those traveling from out of town and from neighboring businesses and state agencies.

Conferences Explore Strategies for Children and Court Specialized Dockets
The Supreme Court organizes and supports events that bring court personnel and justice system partners together to solve problems and build new ideas and coalitions for the people they serve in their communities.

In September, the Ohio Department of Children & Youth, in partnership with the Court’s Children & Families Section, hosted the first-ever Kids Summit, which drew more than 800 county leaders from across the state. Attendees included representatives from juvenile courts, children services, law enforcement, and family advocacy groups. The summit was a chance for collaboration, learning, and the sharing of new strategies to improve outcomes for Ohio’s children and families. Speakers included Chief Justice Kennedy and Gov. Mike DeWine.

A man wearing a blue suit speaks from a podium to a large room full of men and women seated at round tables.

Participants at the first Kid’s Summit shared ideas on how to better assist Ohio children and families.

At the Supreme Court Specialized Dockets Conference in October, nearly 600 people from Ohio treatment court teams met to advance their practices. At this year’s annual conference, judges, magistrates, and treatment team representatives heard about the latest science and research from national experts. The Court has certified 255 specialized dockets, which are staffed in local courts by treatment teams that intervene when an offender is first introduced to the justice system. The teams offer the support and services necessary to break patterns and help to keep participants from returning to court, jail, or prison. Discussions at the conference explored mental health, veterans, reentry, risk and need assessments, breaking stigmas, and confidentiality, among many other topics.

Programs Inform, Educate, and Inspire Students
The Court also plans programs for students as part of a commitment to educating the next generation about the judicial branch and its crucial role for the people of the United States. As part of that mission, the justices hold oral arguments in communities as part of the Off-Site Court Program. High school students get to hear attorneys argue real cases before the justices in a county close to home. In April, approximately 350 students were on hand at Jackson Middle School to attend the Court’s special session and first visit to Jackson County.

In February, more than 100 high school students visited the Supreme Court’s home at the Moyer Judicial Center to learn how art and the law are complementary. Three accomplished Ohio artists spoke to the students during the Court’s Black History Month Celebration about using individual expression to advance justice. Storyteller Lyn Ford, visual artist Duarte Brown, and poet Chiquita Mullins Lee talked about people and events that shaped their lives. The program, titled “The Art of Justice: Stories of Black Cultural Expression,” aligned with the National Black History Month theme of African Americans and the Arts.

Schools Offered Transportation Funding To Visit Court
More than 10,000 students visit the Moyer Judicial Center each year to learn about the Ohio court system while exploring the iconic historical building. Tours are free, but schools incur expenses for transporting students to Columbus. The Supreme Court offers grants to schools to help pay for the travel costs, making the field trips more accessible to students. This fall, 96 schools were awarded transportation grants ranging from $200 to $500 to visit during the 2024-2025 school year. Recipients are located in 38 counties.

A man wearing a black suit and holding a microphone speaks to a group of men and women seated at round tables. The image is seen through an open jail cell door. A man wearing a red, short-sleeve shirt sits with his legs crossed at a table with four women all listening to a group of men wearing blue prison clothes seated at long, white folding tables.

Judges and magistrates traveled to the Ohio State Reformatory and the Mansfield Correctional Institution to broaden their understanding of the Ohio corrections system.

Courses Supply Ongoing Education for Judicial Branch
Judges, magistrates, and court personnel continue their education throughout their careers to address challenges that arise in state courts and to share ideas and best practices. The Ohio Judicial College offered nearly 400 educational opportunities in 2024. A few of the highlights:

  • Nearly 70 judges and magistrates enrolled in the Crime and Punishment program, an immersive educational experience. For the June course, attendees began their day at the Ohio State Reformatory, popularly known as the filming site for the movie “Shawshank Redemption.” Participants discussed the vast changes throughout the history of Ohio corrections. After touring the facility, the group jumped forward into the present-day during a trip to Mansfield Correctional Institution, where they saw daily life in a maximum-security prison.
  • “Civil Treatment Workplace for Leaders,” offered four times this year, instructed judicial officers and court staff with supervisory roles how to prevent, detect, and correct behaviors that are inappropriate at work. The course included sessions on ill-advised banter, workplace bullying, discrimination, and when managers have a duty to act. A version of the course designed for non-supervisory employees was held six times in 2024.
  • As part of the nationally recognized Court Management Program (CMP), 32 Ohio court administrators, clerks, chief probation officers, and other leaders earned the Certified Court Executive credential in November. Graduates committed three years to the advanced study of topics such as leadership, operations management, strategic planning, and modern court governance. In September, 41 individuals from Ohio courts earned a Certified Court Manager distinction, the first level in the three-tier program. The credentialing courses are designed to improve the performance of courts and access to justice for members of the community.

Materials Developed for Courts, Legal Community, and Public
Through the Office of Court Services and the Office of Attorney Services, guidance is compiled that assists attorneys, the public, and courts at the local and appellate levels.

In April, the Supreme Court delivered new resources for local courts and clerks of courts to understand the obligations for reporting case dispositions to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and to check for fingerprints. “Understanding BCI Reporting” documents best practices and includes helpful sample orders and forms. It also identifies the reporting responsibilities of other Ohio courts, such as juvenile and probate courts. A two-page “Quick Reference Guide: Understanding BCI Reporting” is also available.

Among other Supreme Court materials created in 2024:

CREDITS:

Design: Ely Margolis

Web: Erika Lemke