Recent News

February 14, 2011

Supreme Court of Ohio Seeks Comment on Specialized Dockets

The Supreme Court of Ohio will accept public comments until March 8 on a new rule that outlines standards to help guide local courts if they are currently operating or considering starting a specialized docket. The rule defines a specialized docket as “a particular session of court which offers a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to providing court supervision and appropriate treatment to individuals.”

Since the establishment of the Hamilton County Drug Court in 1995, Ohio has been recognized as a national leader in the implementation of specialized dockets. Today, there are nearly 150 specialized dockets operating in Ohio including drug courts, mental health courts, re-entry courts, OVI courts, veterans courts, sex offender courts, felony non-support courts and domestic violence courts.

The 12 standards proposed under Rule 36.02 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio are intended to create a minimum level of uniform practices yet still allow courts to tailor operations to meet their individual needs.

See the text of the proposed amendments.