{"id":1032,"date":"2024-10-15T19:44:03","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T19:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1032"},"modified":"2024-11-03T20:56:57","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T20:56:57","slug":"11-6-courts-of-common-pleas","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/chapter\/11-6-courts-of-common-pleas\/","title":{"rendered":"11.6 Courts of Common Pleas"},"content":{"raw":"<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThe Courts of Common Pleas are an important part of Ohio\u2019s judicial system, serving as the primary trial courts for felony legal matters. Each of Ohio\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ohioroster.ohiosos.gov\/common_pleas.aspx?id=240\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">88 counties<\/a> has its own Court of Common Pleas, which is divided into several specialized divisions: General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>General Division<\/strong> handles major civil and criminal cases, including felonies and civil disputes involving large sums of money.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Domestic Relations Division<\/strong> deals with family-related cases such as divorce, child custody, and support issues.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Juvenile Division<\/strong> focuses on cases involving minors, including delinquency and child protection matters.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Probate Division<\/strong> manages issues related to wills, estates, adoptions, and guardianships.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nThese courts are established by the Ohio Constitution and have broad jurisdiction, meaning they can hear a wide variety of cases. Judges in the Courts of Common Pleas are elected to six-year terms and must be experienced lawyers who reside in the counties they serve. This structure ensures that the judges are familiar with local issues and can make informed decisions that reflect the needs and values of their communities.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<em>Watch this video to differentiate civil from criminal cases and then review the specialized divisions of the court:<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nYouTube URL: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qGo72EakJu0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qGo72EakJu0<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nDuration: 7:18\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<em>Case Example<\/em>\r\n\r\nIn the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, a typical case might involve a person charged with burglary. The court would conduct a trial, hear evidence from the prosecution and defense, and if the defendant is found guilty, the judge would determine the appropriate sentence, which could include prison time.\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Foundational Facts<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nThe structure and jurisdiction of Ohio's Common Pleas Courts are outlined in <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.ohio.gov\/ohio-revised-code\/title-23\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title 23<\/a> of the Ohio Revised Code. These courts handle a range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters, serving as the primary trial courts across Ohio\u2019s counties.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<em>Why Probate Judges Select Metroparks Board Members\u00a0<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nMetroparks in Ohio are county-based park systems designed to preserve natural landscapes and provide recreational opportunities for the public. Each is governed by a three-member board of park commissioners. County probate judges have the unique responsibility of appointing those governing boards.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nThis practice dates to the early 20th century when the state legislature established the system to ensure that park management remained fair and impartial. By having probate judges, who are trusted and neutral legal officials, select the commissioners, the goal was to keep the board free from political influence and focused solely on preserving and improving the parks for public enjoyment.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nThe probate judges\u2019 role in appointing the Metroparks Board helps maintain transparency and accountability in park operations. Since judges are seen as objective and knowledgeable, their appointments are generally trusted to prioritize the community's best interests. This system helps ensure that the commissioners are dedicated to their roles and committed to the long-term sustainability and accessibility of the Metroparks, which are valuable resources for recreation, conservation, and education in Ohio.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">If you\u2019d like to read more about these park boards, click on the following links:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandmetroparks.com\/about\/cleveland-metroparks-organization\/board-of-park-commissioners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.clevelandmetroparks.com\/about\/cleveland-metroparks-organization\/board-of-park-commissioners<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loraincountymetroparks.com\/administration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.loraincountymetroparks.com\/administration<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lakemetroparks.com\/about-us\/park-commissioners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.lakemetroparks.com\/about-us\/park-commissioners<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nReference\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\r\n\r\nOhio Legislative Service Commission. 2023. Chapter 11 - The Judicial Branch in A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators. Columbus OH p. 126-127.\r\n\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<div>\n<p>The Courts of Common Pleas are an important part of Ohio\u2019s judicial system, serving as the primary trial courts for felony legal matters. Each of Ohio\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ohioroster.ohiosos.gov\/common_pleas.aspx?id=240\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">88 counties<\/a> has its own Court of Common Pleas, which is divided into several specialized divisions: General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>General Division<\/strong> handles major civil and criminal cases, including felonies and civil disputes involving large sums of money.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Domestic Relations Division<\/strong> deals with family-related cases such as divorce, child custody, and support issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Juvenile Division<\/strong> focuses on cases involving minors, including delinquency and child protection matters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\">The <strong>Probate Division<\/strong> manages issues related to wills, estates, adoptions, and guardianships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>These courts are established by the Ohio Constitution and have broad jurisdiction, meaning they can hear a wide variety of cases. Judges in the Courts of Common Pleas are elected to six-year terms and must be experienced lawyers who reside in the counties they serve. This structure ensures that the judges are familiar with local issues and can make informed decisions that reflect the needs and values of their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div>\n<p><em>Watch this video to differentiate civil from criminal cases and then review the specialized divisions of the court:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>YouTube URL: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qGo72EakJu0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qGo72EakJu0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>Duration: 7:18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>Case Example<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, a typical case might involve a person charged with burglary. The court would conduct a trial, hear evidence from the prosecution and defense, and if the defendant is found guilty, the judge would determine the appropriate sentence, which could include prison time.<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p><strong>Foundational Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>The structure and jurisdiction of Ohio&#8217;s Common Pleas Courts are outlined in <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.ohio.gov\/ohio-revised-code\/title-23\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Title 23<\/a> of the Ohio Revised Code. These courts handle a range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and probate matters, serving as the primary trial courts across Ohio\u2019s counties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><em>Why Probate Judges Select Metroparks Board Members\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Metroparks in Ohio are county-based park systems designed to preserve natural landscapes and provide recreational opportunities for the public. Each is governed by a three-member board of park commissioners. County probate judges have the unique responsibility of appointing those governing boards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>This practice dates to the early 20th century when the state legislature established the system to ensure that park management remained fair and impartial. By having probate judges, who are trusted and neutral legal officials, select the commissioners, the goal was to keep the board free from political influence and focused solely on preserving and improving the parks for public enjoyment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>The probate judges\u2019 role in appointing the Metroparks Board helps maintain transparency and accountability in park operations. Since judges are seen as objective and knowledgeable, their appointments are generally trusted to prioritize the community&#8217;s best interests. This system helps ensure that the commissioners are dedicated to their roles and committed to the long-term sustainability and accessibility of the Metroparks, which are valuable resources for recreation, conservation, and education in Ohio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">If you\u2019d like to read more about these park boards, click on the following links:<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandmetroparks.com\/about\/cleveland-metroparks-organization\/board-of-park-commissioners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.clevelandmetroparks.com\/about\/cleveland-metroparks-organization\/board-of-park-commissioners<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.loraincountymetroparks.com\/administration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.loraincountymetroparks.com\/administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lakemetroparks.com\/about-us\/park-commissioners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.lakemetroparks.com\/about-us\/park-commissioners<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>Reference<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<p>Ohio Legislative Service Commission. 2023. Chapter 11 &#8211; The Judicial Branch in A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators. Columbus OH p. 126-127.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":511,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-1032","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":54,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1032","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/511"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1032\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1773,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1032\/revisions\/1773"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/54"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1032\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1032"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1032"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1032"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/statelocalgov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1032"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}