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Ohio Association for Court Administration - Winter 2018 Newsletter
Ohio Association for Court
Administration, Inc.
1208 Sunset Street
Middletown, OH 45042
Phone: 877-257-OACA
Fax: 614-387-9449
www.ohiocourtadministration.org
O H I O A S S O C I A T I O N F O R C O U R T A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , I N C . Winter 2018
To post to the OACA listserve,
use the following email:
istration.org
2018 Spring Conference
May 22 - 25, 2018
Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron
Make plans now to join us for the Spring Conference, May 22-
25 at Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron. The education theme for our
Spring Conference is "Building our HR Knowledge" and this
unique learning experience promises to offer solution-focused
presentations led by industry professionals.
On Wednesday, we will have an update by the Supreme Court
staff along with other committee meetings and break-out sessions.
On Thursday the topic "Unemployment and Termination" will be
presented by attorney Kim Riley with Montgomery, Rennie &
Johnson. Trevor Dunlap from Nuhop Teambuilding will also
present a session on "Teambuilding Exercises". Then, on Friday, we
will conclude the conference with a representative from the Ohio
Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) presenting
"Education Today for Retirement Tomorrow" and attorney Mark
Landes with Isaac Wiles Burkholder & Teetor, LLC presenting
"What are the Bare Necessities of HR?"
T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
The Ohio Association for Court Administration is a professional organization of
court managers who are committed to excellence. The association was established in
1973, and the current membership consists of 224 members from all Ohio court
jurisdictions, as well as members of court-related agencies. OACA is a member
organization of the National Association for Court Management.
ABOUT OACA - Celebrating 45 Years
OACA Goals: Enhance professional development
Encourage solidarity
Improve administration of justice
Provide legislative and policy
updates
Encourage diversity
Anticipate and meet the challenges
Provide conferences with quality
education
OACA Member Benefits: Member newsletters
Association website
Legislative and policy updates
Conferences
Networking
Mentor programs
CEU and CLE opportunities
Scholarship programs
Inside this issue:
2018 Spring Conference 1
About OACA 1
Message From OACA’s President
2
Members of the 2018 Board of Trustees
3
Behind the Scenes 3
Coshocton County
Juvenile Court Legal
Services
4
Tuscarawas County
New Juror System 5
New Around Ohio 6
Moyer Speaker Series 6
Get to Know OACA Member Jamie Wood Schacherer
7
Pending Legislation 8
Upcoming Conferences 8
Winter 2018
NEWSLETTER
O H I O A S S O C I A T I O N F O R C O U R T A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , I N C .
Message From OACA’s President
Page 2
T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
Newsletter designed by:
Jennifer Whetstone
The Supreme Court of Ohio
Office of Judicial Services
Dear Colleagues,
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me to serve
as your president in 2018. This year, we will be celebrating the 45th
Anniversary of the founding of OACA, and there are some exciting events
we are working on to celebrate this major milestone!
Our committee and board members have continued to work on planning ahead for our
conferences this year and into the future. The Spring Conference will be held at Sawmill
Creek Resort in Huron beginning Tuesday, May 22, 2018 through Friday, May 25,
2018. Once again, we will be able to enjoy days full of educational opportunities and
opportunities to dialogue with colleagues regarding ideas, programs and solutions to
challenges and issues. It will be a wonderful time to learn and also enjoy a little downtime on
the shores of Lake Erie. We hope you are able to attend and look forward to seeing you in
Huron!
Looking to the Fall Conference, I think of leadership. Leadership does not come from your
title or the position you hold. Leadership is about influence and guiding change that
improves your organization. It allows you to inspire the people around you to act in positive
and effective ways. It can be as simple as sharing your enthusiasm or as complex as
researching and planning what your organization will need next month, next year, or over the
next five years. If you look to your organization with an eye to lead, you will likely discover
multiple opportunities to do so.
Leadership opportunities also abound in the Ohio Association for Court
Administration. There are many leadership opportunities within OACA, including serving
on one of our many committees or on the Board of Trustees. Every year OACA seeks well-
qualified and eager candidates to serve on Committees and the Board. This year the
Nominating Committee will seek applicants for Board positions that will be filled at the Fall
Conference. Please consider serving OACA… we all have the potential to shape our
organization and lead it into the future.
Happy new year!
Regards,
Susan Sweeney
OACA President
Seeking Excellence in Court Administration!
ohiocourtadministration.org
Ohio Association for Court Administration - Winter 2018 Newsletter
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Behind the Scenes: KUDOS to all the hard work from OACA’S committee chairs and members!
Administrative Support
Bennett Manning, Chair
Sylvia Argento
Greg Popovich
Kimberly Switzer
Ken Teleis
Tammy Wurthmann
By-Laws/Code of Regulations
Bennett Manning, Chair
Linda Lovelace
Elizabeth Stephenson
Communications
Berlin Carroll, Chair
Ken Teleis
Jennifer Whetstone
Nominating
Mike Negray, Chair
Tim Lubbe
Vendor Show
Ken Teleis, Chair
Paula Houston
Finance
Montrella Jackson, Chair
Lori Henry
Tim Lubbe
Legislative
Susan Luken, Chair
Stephanie Hess
Michael Kochera
Membership
Lori Henry, Chair
Dawn Bailey
Katherine Curfman
Lisa Deters
Michael Ivy
Stacy Jarchow
Mike Negray
Stephanie Nelson
Lisa Russell
Doug Schonauer
John Voelker
Education
Melinda Cooper, Co-Chair
Carrie Connelly, Co-Chair
Catherine Piña Arrieta
RaMona Benson
Melinda Brooks
Juanita Bryant
Cindy Dinovo
Joni Dotson
James Fox
Jason Hill
Angie House
Tony Ingram
Roger Kerner
Linda Lovelace
Ben Manning
Theresa McNea
Tess Neff
Lisa Russell
Doug Schonauer
Brad Smith
Elizabeth Stephenson
Andrew Wannemacher
EDUCATION CO-CHAIR Melinda Cooper
Court Administrator/Magistrate
Fifth District Court of Appeals
Canton
(330) 451-7765
AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE Jamie Wood Schacherer
Court Administrator
Mansfield Municipal Court
Mansfield
(419) 755-9496
EDUCATION CO-CHAIR Carrie Connelly
Assistant Court Administrator
Sixth District Court of Appeals
Toledo
(419) 213-4755
Members of the 2018 Executive Committee
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Lori A. Henry
Court Administrator
Medina Municipal Court
Medina
(330) 723-3287
PAST PRESIDENT Michael Negray
Deputy Court Administrator
Cleveland Municipal Court
Cleveland
(216) 664-4283
PRESIDENT Susan Sweeney
Assistant Court Executive Officer
Summit County Common Pleas Court
Akron
(330) 643-7840
We Want You!
If you are interested in serving
on a committee, please let the
chair of that committee know.
OACA/SCO Liaison Jennifer Whetstone
Program Coordinator
The Supreme Court of Ohio
Columbus
(614) 387-9446
TREASURER Montrella Jackson, Esq.
Court Administrator
Akron Municipal Court
Akron
(330) 375-2120
SECRETARY Doug Cubberley
Court Administrator/Chief Probation Officer
Bowling Green Municipal Court
Bowling Green
(419) 352-5263
PRESIDENT ELECT Lisa Deters
Court Administrator
Lima Municipal Court
Lima
(419) 221-5226
AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE Tess Neff
Court Administrator
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court
Cleveland
(216) 443-3515
O H I O A S S O C I A T I O N F O R C O U R T A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , I N C . Page 4
T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
Court Expands Pro Se Legal Services
with Capital University Family & Youth Law Center
Coshocton County Juvenile Court will expand legal services through an
agreement signed with Capital University’s Family and Youth Law Center. The
expansion will allow for clients that qualify based on income guidelines to get additional assistance
beyond what the Court’s brief advice legal clinic currently is able to offer.
Anticipated Juvenile Court related services from Capital will include: a phone help line, an
online database for information related to Coshocton Juvenile Court’s forms and process, and law
student assistance on completing paperwork related to more complicated case filings than can be
addressed at the monthly brief advice clinics. It is anticipated that clients to be served will have
already attended the local brief advice legal clinic, but significant issues surrounding their case and
time restrictions would limit local attorney’s ability to address these at the brief advice clinic.
When Judge Van Blanchard II and Coshocton County Juvenile Court developed the local
“Family Law Clinic” in July of 2016, the focus was for clients with limited income to get extra
assistance and brief legal advice from local attorneys on proper filing of paperwork in civil matters
handled through the Court of Common Pleas, General Division and Juvenile Division. To date, 129
clients have been served through 16 sessions, leading to increased access and improved quality of
filing for both Courts.
At the brief legal advice clinic, local attorneys help the Courts and clients with more accurate
filings, suggestions on how court process works and informational flyers also contribute to client
needs when tackling difficult paperwork and procedures. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services has
supported the clinics by tracking volunteer attorney hours for training credit, qualifying eligible
participants and taking surveys on how to improve clinics and satisfaction of clients receiving advice.
While Judge Blanchard is enthusiastic about this new opportunity to provide enhanced legal
services for court clients, he also stressed the importance of continued brief advice clinics with local
attorneys which serves both local courts handling civil family matters. “It is important to continue this
local clinic so all court clients have access to advice on local issues and court processes, and to ensure
that access to justice and changes in society are met with improved techniques in today’s self-serve
world.”
For More information, contact Doug Schonauer, Court Administrator, (740) 295-7407,
Ohio Association for Court Administration - Winter 2018 Newsletter
The Court of Common Pleas, General Trial Division, along with Clerk of Courts
Jeanne Stephen, has improved its methods of juror notification. The process of notifying
jurors begins with a summons from the Sheriff that tells them the two-week period that they are on call for
jury duty. Following that initial notification, the jurors traditionally needed to telephone a certain number
to find out when they need to report. The newest improvement to the system is that the court has
contracted with a software vendor called Juror Calling so that a notification goes out to jurors the night
before they need to report. Jurors will receive a text, an email and an automated message with reporting
instructions. Jurors also receive a text and call on the day they are to report.
Jurors can also be notified if a trial is cancelled for any reason. This method is in addition to the
website and the traditional method of the juror calling a certain number the night before their service to
find out if they are obligated to report.
We very carefully made the decision to use cell, landline, and text messages within this notification
system. We can't send messages using different methods to jurors within one group. So the whole panel of
prospective jurors must receive the same messages using the same methods. Many people only have
landlines. Many
For more information, contact Elizabeth W. Stephenson, Court Administrator, 330-365-3299;
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T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
NEWS AROUND OHIO
Michael Kochera, Canton Municipal Court Administrator, OACA member, and former OACA President, was
appointed to serve as the OACA representative to the Ohio Justice Alliance for Community Corrections (OJACC)
Board of Trustees. The appointment was made by 2017 OACA President Michael Negray, as one of his last official
duties. The mission of OJACC is to bring together stakeholders to promote and support effective community
corrections that enhance public safety. We would like to thank Mr. Kochera for his continued commitment and
service to our Association.
Burma Stewart was appointed to be the Deputy Court Administrator of Toledo Municipal Court. Working with
Court Administrator Lisa Falgiano, Ms. Stewart will be responsible for overseeing the Court’s daily operational
activities, supervising and directing all department heads within the Judges’ Division and managing special projects.
Ms. Stewart has over 20 years experience and is a 2017 graduate of the Court Management Program.
Stay tuned for detailed information on this latest enhancement of membership with OACA.
The Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Speaker Series
The OACA Board is proud to announce the new Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Speaker Series to honor the memory of the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Chief Justice Moyer was instrumental in establishing the current education opportunities enjoyed by our membership and the Speaker Series honors his commitment to judicial staff education.
On January 13, 2017, the Board, in consultation with the Ohio Supreme Court, formally established the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Speaker Series. The program replaces the former Moyer Scholarship allowing all members of the OACA an opportunity to engage in and take advantage of educational advancement through membership with the OACA and in memory of Chief Justice Moyer’s legacy.
At the time of his untimely death on April 2, 2010 at age 70, he was the longest-serving chief justice in the country, and he was the second longest-serving chief justice in Ohio's history. Chief Justice Moyer was elected to his first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio in November 1986 and took office on January 1, 1987. He was re-elected in 1992, 1998 and 2004.
I had the great fortune to serve under Chief Justice Moyer as Director of the Judicial College. I know that as the leader of the judicial branch of government, his drive was to insure that we serve the public with the highest ethical and professional standards. Chief Justice Moyer was fully invested in education as a means to that end. It was a resounding theme throughout his tenure reflected in many of his speeches. I offer this quote from the Chief’s State of the Judiciary address delivered in 2002 to the annual meeting of the Ohio Judicial Conference as an example. “James Madison said when we stop learning we stop living. The Ohio Judicial College has helped keep us alive….the College has been vital to the challenge to improve the skills of judges and court personnel.” The Chief felt that education for court administrators and all court personnel was equally important to the education offered to judges and judicial officers. It is completely fitting that OACA honor Chief Justice Moyer’s legacy with this honor.
---Milt Nuzum, Director of Judicial Services, Supreme Court of Ohio
The Thomas J. Moyer Speaker Series promises to provide national speakers on current trends and issues in our field. We are excited to expand our educational opportunities and look forward to the Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer Speaker Series. Stay tuned for detailed information on this latest enhancement to membership with the Ohio Association for Court Administration.
Ohio Association for Court Administration - Winter 2018 Newsletter
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O H I O A S S O C I A T I O N F O R C O U R T A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , I N C .
T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
Get to Know OACA Member Jamie Wood Schacherer
Court Administrator, Mansfield Municipal Court
How did you first get involved with OACA and/or the judicial branch?
I started my career in the Criminal Justice field as a Deputy Sheriff for the Richland County Sheriff's Department 33 years ago. From there, I became a Court Administrator for the Common Pleas Court and 17 years ago I went across the street to Mansfield Municipal Court to be the Court Administrator and Chief Probation Officer. I was a member of OACA for a few years when I was at CP Court, however since I had small children at the time, it was difficult to stay involved and attend conferences. I completed CMP training in 2007. A few years later I became a member of OACA again. As Chief PO, I'm also involved with the Ohio Chief Probation Officers Association. I believe the two associations have helped me become a better manager. In addition to the friends I've made and the many resources available, I'm much more informed now. What is your position, how long have you been in it and how many people do you supervise? What departments are you responsible for?
I supervise 14 employees in the probation department and 12 in the court, which includes Court Security. Tell us about your family (parents, kids, siblings, pets, etc.)
I have two boys. AJ is 24 years old and is an Industrial Engineer with Walmart near Los Angeles, California. Connor is 23 and is a Software Engineer with Cisco in San Jose, California. Both graduated from The Ohio State University which made me a proud Buckeye Mom. Two months ago, we adopted a fur baby, Lexi, a 4 year old German Shepherd from our local humane society. She's a great addition to our
family, which includes a cat named Harley who was a stray kitten found along the side of the road.
How did you meet your spouse? Describe your first date; your marriage proposal; your wedding and honeymoon.
I'm officially a newlywed, since my husband and I just married this past August. Larry and I met almost 11 years ago at a city bowling outing on St. Patrick's Day. He's a Police Officer with the Mansfield Police Department. We started dating shortly after that. Since we had been together so long, we didn't want a formal wedding with all the drama that comes with it. We surprised friends and family who came to a bonfire at our house, when my Judge put on his robe and performed our marriage ceremony. It was absolutely perfect!
What is your favorite journey/vacation?
I love the beach and walking barefoot in the sand. Who has been the greatest influence on you?
The person who has influenced me the most would be my mom, who I lost 14 years ago after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was an amazing woman and I strive to be more like her everyday. I'm truly blessed and life is good!
May 22-25, 2018
Sawmill Creek Resort
Huron
October 23-26, 2018
Embassy Suites by Hilton
Columbus
O H I O A S S O C I A T I O N F O R C O U R T A D M I N I S T R A T I O N , I N C . Page 8
T H E O A C A I N Q U I R E R
PENDING LEGISLATION IN OHIO
HB 341 – JUDGES-PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION (Huffman, Cera) – To include judges and magistrates as
individuals whose residential and familial information are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records
Law, and whose addresses public offices, upon request, must redact from records available to the general
public on the internet.
Amended in House committee to include “magistrates.”
Passed by House on January 31, 2018 by a vote of 92-2.
HB 410 – COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL COURTS – TRAFFIC LAW CIVIL ACTION (Seitz, Butler) - To
grant municipal and county courts original and exclusive jurisdiction over any civil action concerning a traffic
law violation, to specify that the court require an advance deposit for the filing of specified civil actions by the
local authority bringing the civil action, and to modify the reporting requirements and LGF withholding that
apply to subdivisions that operate traffic law photo-monitoring devices.
Passed by House committee on February 7, 2018.
HB 439 – RISK ASSESSMENT – BAIL SETTING (Dever, Ginter) - To require courts to use the results of a
validated risk assessment tool in bail determinations; to allow nonmonetary bail to be set; to require courts to
collect certain data on bail, pretrial release, and sentencing; and to require the state Criminal Sentencing
Commission to create a list of validated risk assessment tools and monitor the policies and procedures of courts
in setting bail and utilizing pretrial supervision services.
Received second hearing on January 23, 2018 in House committee.
HB 409 – VETERANS TREATMENT COURTS (Butler, Perales) – To permit courts to create veterans
treatment courts and to allow courts to divert certain criminal defendants to participate in veterans treatment
court.
Received second hearing on January 23, 2018 in House committee.
Some have raised concerns that the bill is too restrictive regarding which veterans qualify to attend such a
court, and that the bill overlaps with the current specialized docket system.
A main goal of the legislation is to permit veterans to attend a court in a different county if the veteran’s
county does not have a veterans court.
SB 200 – JURY SOURCE LISTS – BMV (Thomas) – To require the names submitted by the Bureau of Motor
Vehicles to the commissioners of jurors to be included on the annual jury source list compiled by the
commissioners.
Introduced on September 26, 2017 and has yet to receive a hearing.
Upcoming OACA Conferences: