© Photo by Norm Hall
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
COLUMBUS, OHIO
ONE HUNDRED [and] FIFTH
ANNUAL REPORT
2020
1
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK’S OFFICE
INTRODUCTION
LETTER FROM THE CLERK
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, MISSION, AND VISION STATEMENT
HISTORY OF THE COURT
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT ORGANIZATION
SECTION 1
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK STAFF
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
FUNDING OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT CLERK’S OFFICE
SECTION 2
CLERK ADMINISTRATION DIVISION
SECTION 3
OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES
SECTION 4
AUDIT AND INTERNAL CONTROLS/IMAGING DIVISION
SECTION 5
CIVIL DIVISION
SECTION 6
COLLECTIONS DIVISION
SECTION 7
CRIMINAL DIVISION
COURTROOM SERVICE GROUP
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPUNGEMENTS
SECTION 8
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS BUREAU AND CORRESPONDENCE
SECTION 9
ACCOUNTING/FINANCE DIVISION
SECTION 10
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Table of Contents
3
Table of Contents
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
SECTION 11
LETTER FROM ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT ANNUAL REPORT 2020
ASSIGNMENT OFFICE
COURTROOM BAILIFFS
COURT ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 12
COURT SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
JURY COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
LANGUAGE SERVICES
LEGAL RESEARCH
SECTION 13
MAGISTRATES
DEPARTMENT OF PRETRIAL AND PROBATION SERVICES
SELF HELP RESOURCE CENTER
SERVICE BAILIFFS
SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM
SECTION 14
SPECIALIZED DOCKETS
PROGRAMS
SPECIALIZED DOCKET CERTIFICATION
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM
STAFF
BEST PRACTICES
FACILITY
2
Letter from Clerk Lori M. Tyack
Welcome to the 2020 Annual Report of the Franklin County Municipal
Court Clerk’s Office. The Clerk’s Office collaborates daily with agencies
of the Criminal Justice System and the community, to ensure access to
justice and promote public trust and confidence. In 2020, the Clerk’s
Office focused on initiatives aligned with its Mission and Vision
Statements, and added a Value Statement: Commitment to the Core
Values of Respect, Integrity, Justice, and Compassion for all we serve.
New case filings for 2020 totaled 103,415 compared to 173,574 filed in
2019 for a decrease of 40.4%. Costs, fines, and fees collected equaled
$29.9M in 2020 compared to $41.2M in 2019 for a decrease of 27.4%. The
total amount referred to collections in 2020 was $5,435,404.75M, for an
increase of 11% over 2019. Overall collection of court-ordered fines and
costs through the efforts of four collection agencies increased by 7% for
a total of $1,370,074M. The collection of court-ordered bond forfeiture
judgments decreased by 30% from $253,470 to $177,548 respectively.
The year 2020 proved to be very challenging. In January, the Clerk’s
Office, with support from the Court, adopted a new process for displaying
eviction history on its website. Based on a recommendation by the
Columbus Women’s Commission, the Clerk’s Office decided to limit
online case history on all evictions to three (3) years, to improve the
ability of those who need to acquire affordable housing. Paper files are
available upon request in the Clerk’s Office dating back to 1992.
Due to the closures related to COVID-19, most if not all of the Community
service programs the Clerk’s Office normally participates in were
cancelled or held virtually. Instead, the focus of the Office became
adapting to the “New Normal” for operations during the pandemic.
Internal discussions regarding operational changes began in mid-March
2020, due to the closure of the Municipal Court. Administrative Order 05-
2020 was issued by the Court outlining new safety and face covering
requirements. In addition, enforcement dates for payment of court-
ordered fines, fees, costs, and requirements such as community service
and/or driving intervention program deadlines were extended by six (6)
months. Traffic cases were pushed out eight (8) weeks and Criminal
Arraignments were limited to three (3) days per week.
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Letter from Clerk Lori M. Tyack
The Clerk’s Office was directed by Administrative Order to issue
recognizance bonds for new traffic cases, non-violent misdemeanor
cases, and warrants for failure to appear.
In late May, the Court secured additional space at the Columbus
Convention Center with plans to partially re-open June 1
st
. The new
location limited to traffic and eviction hearings, provided the opportunity
for safe distancing for staff and for hundreds of people who attend these
hearings daily. The number of cases scheduled per day were limited to One
Hundred (100) Traffic and One Hundred (100) Eviction cases to ensure
proper distancing, requiring tens of thousands of court cases to be
rescheduled. In response to the backlog of cases pending, the City
Prosecutor’s Office dismissed Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety
(8,790) cases. The Clerk’s Office staff sent out notice letters to those whose
hearings were cancelled or rescheduled at the Columbus Convention
Center, updating more than Twenty-Seven Thousand (27,000) cases within a
two-month-period.
The Court’s partial re-opening on June 1
st
, at both the Columbus
Convention Center and the Municipal Court Building, required the Clerk’s
Office to make adjustments in processes, procedures, and staffing levels.
Additional technology services, support, and equipment were necessary for
more than Four Hundred Fifty (450) users in the Court and Clerk’s Office.
Adjustments necessary for daily operations also included expanding
network access, transporting hundreds of files to/from the Columbus
Convention Center, and transitioning Criminal and Civil Division Deputy
Clerks to the new location to support the Court’s hearings. Cases were
updated on-site; customer and payment services were provided through
“live agent” Kiosks.
The Clerk’s Office collaborated with the Court, BIS, the Franklin County
Data Center, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to implement video
arraignment from the Municipal Court Building to the Franklin County Jail,
thereby reducing the number of defendants who needed to appear in-
person to a handful.
Reusable masks were issued to all staff, cleaning and sanitizing supplies
were provided to keep work stations clean, and barriers were installed at
work stations and in courtrooms to ensure a safe distance between Clerk
Staff and the public.
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Letter from Clerk Lori M. Tyack
A rotating work schedule was established in every division to enable social
distancing and protect the operational needs of the Office.
Zoom, Microsoft Team, and phone conferences were held when possible in
lieu of in-person meetings. Some staff were provided laptops with VPN
access to allow work from home.
Document filing process changes were implemented for Criminal and Civil
cases by expanding the types of documents accepted through our e-Filing
portal and adding a Drop Box on the first floor.
The Clerk’s Office continued to accept filings through regular U.S. Mail and
faxing. New document scanning measures have been added to daily
processes providing online access of filed documents to the Court.
The Clerk’s Office applied for and received a total of One Hundred Ninety
Thousand, Eight Hundred Fifty-one and 66/100 Dollars ($190,851.66) of
CARES ACT and Grant funds. These Funds were applied to support the
following projects: Imaging Software Upgrade, Five (5) Live Agent Kiosks,
Remote Online Notary Project (Supreme Court of Ohio Pilot), and
Electronic-Filing Portal for Law Enforcement.
The annual audit was again performed by Plante & Moran, PLLC. Auditors
inspected a sampling of accounting/financial transactions, file integrity,
checks and balances of duties performed, and personnel records including
time sheets.
This year has been both difficult and challenging. I want to extend my most
sincere gratitude to the Staff of the Clerk’s Office for their commitment to
the Clerk’s Office and to public service.
Thank you for taking the time to read the 2020 Annual Report.
5
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT
The Clerk’s Office is entrusted with the responsibility of processing and
archiving all Court records in accordance with file retention requirements
established by the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, the Clerk’s Office
calculates and fully details all financial transactions involving the Court. The
Clerk’s Office compiles and publishes an Annual Report each year that details
the various categories of Court case filings and all financial transactions
connected with all Court cases and statistically reports all relevant data
regarding the same.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Court’s Office is to
accurately maintain and safeguard court records, collect and disburse public
funds while promoting equal access, fairness, and transparency.
VISION STATEMENT
To provide access to justice through competent customer service,
communication, and community outreach.
VALUE STATEMENT
Commitment to the Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Justice, and
Compassion for all we serve.
HISTORY OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
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In 1916, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio created the Columbus
Municipal Court. Prior to this time, the court operated under the Justice of the
Peace System. On July 5, 1955, the Columbus Municipal Court was given
countywide jurisdiction and, in 1968, the State Legislature changed the name of
the court to the Franklin County Municipal Court.
The court has two (2) judicial divisions. The General Division operates with
fourteen (14) judges, and six (6) magistrates. The Environmental Division, which
began operations in 1992, has one (1) judge. In addition to performing all of the
duties within the general division, the Environmental Division also has exclusive
jurisdiction over criminal and civil actions to enforce building, housing, health,
or safety codes applicable to premises intended for use as a place of human
habitation. The Clerk of Court, serving both divisions, has a myriad of both
financial and case management duties, as prescribed by law. The terms for the
judges and the clerk are for a period of six (6) years.
The Court's administrative functions are overseen by Court Administration.
Among these services are the Office of the Jury Commissioner, the Office of the
Assignment Commissioner, Probation Services, the Small Claims Division, the
Court Reporters, Court Security, the Service Bailiffs, the Courtroom Bailiffs, the
Language Interpretation program, the Vehicle Immobilization Program, Legal
Research, the Appointed Counsel/Volunteer Coordinator's Office, and
Specialized Dockets.
In 1979, the court moved from its facilities in City Hall to the Franklin County
Municipal Court building, located at 375 South High Street. Currently, the court
has two (2) traffic-arraignment courtrooms, two (2) criminal-arraignment
courtrooms, two (2) record hearing courtrooms, one duty courtroom and sixteen
(16) jury courtrooms in the General Division. The Environmental Division
operates with one (1) courtroom for its arraignment sessions, as well as its
record and jury trials.
The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's Office is divided into several
divisions. The divisions occupying the first four floors of the Municipal Court
Building are: Clerk Administration, Accounting/Finance, Audit and Internal
Controls, Civil, Collections, Criminal/Traffic, and the Traffic Violations
Bureau/Communications. The Office of Information Services is located of the
16th floor.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
The Franklin County Municipal Court has jurisdiction over traffic citations, criminal
misdemeanor charges and civil case filings regarding disputes that range up to an
amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00), as well as actions regarding building,
health, housing or safety codes.
The Franklin County Municipal Court has county and city jurisdiction (reaching into
Delaware and Fairfield County) and is divided into two (2) Divisions. The General
Division is served by fourteen (14) Municipal Judges and the Environmental Division is
served by one (1) Municipal Judge. Seven (7) Magistrates also serve the Franklin
County Municipal Court. Judges serve for a term of six (6) years.
2020 Administrative and Presiding Judge
Honorable Ted Barrows
General Division Judges
Honorable James E. Green Honorable Cindi Morehart
Honorable H. William Pollitt, Jr. Honorable Eileen Y. Paley
Honorable Paul M. Herbert Honorable Cynthia L. Ebner
Honorable Andrea Peeples Honorable Jodi L. Thomas
Honorable David B. Tyack Honorable Jarrod Skinner
Honorable Mark A. Hummer Honorable Jessica G. D’Varga
Honorable James P. O’Grady
Environmental Division Judge
Honorable Stephanie Mingo
Court Administrator
Emily Shaw
2020 Administrative Magistrate
Honorable Antonio Paat
Magistrates
Honorable Denise Waddy Honorable Danielle Sparks
Honorable David S. Jump Honorable Kirk Lindsey
Honorable Gene Edwards Honorable Ben Hoelzel
Clerk of Court
Honorable Lori M. Tyack
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FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
CLERK OF COURT MANAGEMENT STAFF 12.31.2020
Lori M. Tyack Clerk of Court
Obie Lucas Chief Deputy Clerk
Marilynn Stephens Executive Director, Public Relations
Rebeca Marsh Director, Human Resources
Michelle LaMarr Administrator, Payroll and Benefits
Crystal Ross Executive Director, Fiscal Administration
Ken Euman Assistant Fiscal Administrator, Procurement
Susan Johnson Administrative Assistant
Jessica Clinger Director, Civil Division
Lynda Clark Deputy Director, Civil Division
Mike Cherry Director, Collections Program
Rhonda Ferguson Director, Accounting/Finance Division; Treasurer
Heather Kean Ogle Deputy Director, Accounting/Finance Division
LeeAnne Sheppard Director, Audit and Internal Controls/Imaging
Vickie Spivey Deputy Director, Audit and Internal Controls
Ahmed Kasheer Director, Office of Information Services
James Brad Laver Deputy Director, Office of Information Services
Matt Pendy Director, Criminal/Traffic Division
Simon Delgigante Deputy Director, Criminal/Traffic Division
Lori Kette Director, Courtroom Services Group
Sancha Young Director, Traffic Violations Bureau/Communications
Debra Jones Deputy Director, Traffic Violations Bureau
Cynthia Kiener Supervisor, Civil Division
Nick Johnson Supervisor, Criminal/Traffic Division
Glynis Armentrout Supervisor, Criminal/Traffic Division
Jerome Kemp Supervisor, Criminal/Traffic Division, Telephones
Jessica Steenburgh Supervisor, Criminal/Traffic Division, File Room
Mike Pizzurro Supervisor, 2nd Shift Criminal/Traffic Division
Robyn Johnson Supervisor, 3rd Shift Criminal/Traffic Division
Kaleb Perry Supervisor, Accounting/Finance Division,
Criminal/Traffic
Jeff Dever Supervisor, Accounting/Finance Division, Civil
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MUNICIPAL CLERK OF COURT
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
Administrative Division
Executive Director, Public Relations
Executive Director, Fiscal Administration
Director, Human Resources
Administrator, Payroll & Benefits
Administrator, Procurement
Administrative Assistant
Traffic Violations
Bureau
Communications
Director
Criminal
Traffic
Director
Collections
Program
Director
Civil
Director
Accounting
Finance
Director &
Treasurer
Audit and
Internal
Controls
Director
Office of
Information
Services
Director
Deputy
Director
Deputy
Director
Courtroom
Service Group
Deputy
Director
Ticket
Initiation
Mail Room
1st Shift
2ndShift
3rd Shift
Courtroom
Services
Group
Collections of
Unpaid Costs,
Fines, Bond
Forfeitures
Civil Filings
Civil File
Room
Collecting
and
Disbursing
Monies
Process
Review
Audits
Projects
Reports
Serves the
Court and
Clerk’s
Office
Internal
Auditor
Staff
Accountant
(1)
Supervisors
(2)
Supervisors
1st Shift
2ndShift
3
rd
Shift
Deputy Director
Deputy
Director
Deputy
Director
Municipal Court Clerk’s Office
2020 General Fund
Personnel Services $11,329,063.70
Materials and Supplies 136,036.97
Services for Operations and Maintenance 710,231.61
Total $12,175,332.28
Municipal Court Clerk’s Office
2020 Special Revenue Fund
Personnel Services $ 138,887.62
Materials and Supplies 60,401.63
Services for Operations and Maintenance 783,257.51
Total $ 982,546.76
10
Funding of the Franklin County Clerk’s Office
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Clerk Administration Division
The Administrative Division of the Clerk’s Office is comprised of the Office of
the Clerk, Chief Deputy Clerk, Executive Director Public Relations, Executive
Director Fiscal Administration, Director Human Resources, Administrator
Payroll & Benefits, Assistant Fiscal Administrator/Procurement, and
Administrative Assistant. This Division oversees the day to day operations of
the Clerk’s Office, and is governed by directives as set forth in the Annual
Budget and the Ohio Revised Code. Additionally, all new programs, contracts,
projects, and grants are established and implemented within the Division. It
conducts all public relations and internal communications for the Clerk’s Office.
Accomplishments for the Administration Division in 2020 include the following:
• Deployed (5) five customer interaction payment kiosks to support court
operations that were re-located at the Columbus Convention Center due to
pandemic safe distance requirements.
• Implemented numerous COVID-19 related protective measures, including
the installation of protective health barriers to protect staff and the public
during the pandemic.
• Instituted a policy to limit online eviction records to a three (3) year
window, in support of Columbus Women’s Commission’s efforts to
positively impact the ability of citizens to access rental housing.
• Acquired and deployed a civil filings drop-box to provide the public with a
safe distance option for filing court documents.
• Continued to virtually facilitate, and/or participate in community outreach
programs.
• Managed eight (8) separate budgets totaling more than $14.6M.
• Prepared and processed ordinances totaling $1,292,300.93 for approval by
Columbus City Council.
• Processed over 307 vendor contracts for materials, supplies, and services.
12
Office of Information Services
The Office of Information Services provides services related to information
technology to the Franklin County Municipal Court and Clerk’s Office staff. This
Division’s responsibilities include: Maintaining a stable electronic work
environment, collaborating with other staff to use information technology to
better serve the Franklin County Municipal Court, identifying emerging
technologies for the Court’s investment in technology, and providing training to
staff on the proper use of software programs and equipment. Accomplishments
for OIS in 2020 are as follows:
• Setup and support of remote arraignment and eviction court at the Columbus
Convention Center.
• Setup the Kiosks at the convention center.
• Expanded VPN services to include work from home employees for both Court
and Clerk’s Office.
• Began major database and database applications upgrade project - to be
completed in 2021.
• Expanded e-Filing services including Criminal and Traffic cases.
• Web Chat Pilot Project.
• Limited Website Records Search to three (3) years of eviction records.
• Next Gen Firewall deployment with advanced URL filtering.
• Desktop PC Upgrades.
13
Audit and Internal Controls/Imaging Division
The Audit and Internal Controls Division is responsible for minimizing
erroneous data through a system of real time process assurance and
monitoring, audit reporting, and quality management. The objective is to
achieve operational effectiveness and efficiency, assure reliable and accurate
financial reporting in compliance with state and local laws, regulations, and
policies.
The main purpose of the Division is to help direct and protect resources of the
Clerk’s Office while improving internal processes and services that the
Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Office provides to its customer base,
the Court, law enforcement, all external partners and most importantly, the
public. Accomplishments for Audit and Internal Controls/Imaging for 2020 are
as follows:
• Completed fifth (5th) year of full PCI compliancy (debit/credit card assurance of
security). No security breaches in 2020.
• Directed multidivisional effort to a successful completion of our 2019/2020
external audit. Tenth year for zero financial and case management infractions.
• Verified funds for the Ohio Pooled Collateral System in connection with our
depositing financial institution. Third year for this requirement.
• Audited, maintained, and submitted Supreme Court Report case types.
• IMAGING
• Added two (2) new Imaging Clerks
• 1.5 million items scanned, 58,000 total cases
• Created Controller position
• Purchased and installed new height adjustable tables and chairs
14
Audit and Internal Controls/Imaging Division
Accomplishments for Audit and Internal Controls/Imaging for 2020 are as
follows:
INTERNAL AUDITORS
• Civil - 12,151 cases audited
• Criminal/Traffic - 2,639 cases audited
• Monthly reporting of stats and concerns sent to division management
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Balanced four (4) depositing accounts each month as mandated by the
Ohio Revised Code
• Verified all funds and media types deposited with financial institution and
the case management system (CourtView)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• E-Filing
• Criminal/Traffic began accepting subsequent filings
• Internal Auditor approved registration request for new filers
• Expungement Filings and payments accepted
SUPREME COURT REMOTE ONLINE NOTARY PROJECT (RON)
• Signix chosen as vendor, staff selected and equipment needs addressed,
online training provided
15
Civil Division
The Civil Division is responsible for accepting, filing, issuing service,
docketing, processing, and maintaining records for Civil cases. Civil cases
include: contract disputes, personal injury, property damage, evictions, small
claims, certificates of judgment, cognovits, declaratory judgments, and Civil
Environmental including housing/safety code issues. The Civil Division also
processes applications for driving privileges. Accomplishments for the Civil
Division in 2020 are as follows:
Continued the e-filing pilot for the filing of new small claims, contract,
liability, environmental complaints, and subsequent filings by the City of
Columbus, State of Ohio, and Franklin County.
Proposed and implemented a new process to request removal of eviction
records from public access and changed the Clerk’s Office website
search to reflect three (3) years of eviction records.
Implemented courtroom location changes for eviction cases being held
at the Columbus Convention Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Updated Clerk’s Office summons and hearing notices to reflect new
courtroom location.
Added a drop box option in the Municipal Court building for Civil
Division filings.
Assisted in implementing the use of kiosks for payments of writs of
restitution and set outs for eviction cases at the Columbus Convention
Center.
Worked collaboratively with the Court to draft a resource list related to
the COVID-19 assistance to be sent out with all new eviction summons.
Worked with the United States Postal Service and vendors related to
printing of mailing bar codes to improve the scanning of our mail bar
codes to better improve tracking of our certified mail pieces.
Improved process for affidavits of Indigency and a new standardized
Affidavit of Indigency form.
16
Accomplishments for the Civil Division in 2020 are as follows:
Worked with the Court during the COVID-19 pandemic on Administrative
Orders relating to Civil cases impacted by the Ohio shutdown and
subsequent Ohio Supreme Court Orders. These Orders impacted the
issuing of garnishments, evictions, processing of our droplist, issuing of
Secretary of State Service, and the receiving of filings in person.
New Case Filings Ancillary Proceedings
2016
41626 329934
2017
46244 336876
2018
49201 344119
2019
51596 365924
2020
34838 272915
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
350000
400000
Civil Cases & Ancillary Proceedings
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
17
New Civil Case Filings
1st Qtr.
2nd Qtr.
3rd Qtr.
4th Qtr.
Total
Personal Injury/Property
Damage
251
137
190
211
789
Contracts, Notes and
Accounts
6,221
2,863
4,396
4,435
17,915
Forcible Entry & Detainer
(Evictions)
3,810
1,391
3,163
3,842
12,206
Small Claims
981
237
602
926
2,746
Other Civil
254
50
116
116
536
BMV Petition
243
48
110
112
513
Certificate of Judgment
1
0
1
0
2
Declaratory Judgment
10
2
5
1
18
Civil Environmental
253
204
77
112
646
Total
11,770
4,882
8,544
9,642
34,838
18
Civil Ancillary Proceedings
1st Qtr.
2nd Qtr.
3rd Qtr.
4th Qtr.
Total
Certified Mail Service Issued
16,713 8,685 8,916 9,444 43,758
Ordinary Mail Service Issued
9,075 4,460 4,692 4,917 23,144
Bailiff Service Issued
5,091 2,557 4,294 4,444 16,386
Process Server Service Issued
242 36 91 91 460
Sheriff Service Issued
4 2 8 5 19
Service by Publication Issued
38 2 125 27 192
Registered Mail
3 1 0 0 4
Express Mail
1 0 0 0 1
Garnishments Issued
4,433 1,997 1,723 2,021 10,174
Garnishments Released
1,126 918 772 549 3,365
Writs of Restitution Issued
1,921 500 1,088 1,223 4,732
Requests for Set Outs
Processed
1,340 346 852 877 3,415
Writs of Replevin Issued
5 0 0 1 6
Writs of Execution Issued
9 2 11 5 27
Judgments Certified to the
BMV
4 0 0 0 4
Certificates of Judgment
Issued
1,483 1,588 1,380 1,511 5,962
Transfers to Common Pleas
Court
12 6 6 9 33
Civil Appeals Processed
5 9 2 11 27
Court order issued by ordinary
mail
14,428 7,475 9,617 11,871 43,391
Notice of Failed Service Issued
5,084 2,664 2,264 2,409 12,421
Exemplified Copies
7 23 24 14 68
Revivers
of Judgment 252 170 264 139 825
Judgment Debtors
104 30 60 49 243
Civil Capias Warrants
19 0 4 2 25
Motion and Order for Show
Cause
20 3 20 13 56
Motion for Contempt Orders
14 6 10 17 47
Mail Payments Processed
32,335 22,840 25,483 23,472
104,130
Total
93,768 54,320 61,706 63,121
272,915
The Collection Division oversees and coordinates the collection of debts owed to the
Court, with the primary objective of seeking monies due to the City of Columbus
taxpayers. The Collection Division operated in conjunction with four (4) outside
agencies in 2020. Additionally, the Collection Division is responsible for securing
surety bond agent registration, monitoring compliance of State and Local Statutes,
and processing monthly billing statements. Accomplishments for Collections in 2020
are as follows:
• Collected $1,370,074.39
• Continued generating past due notices in-house for payable tickets.
• Bond money forfeited by the Court for 2020 - $46,327.00
• Total of Bond Forfeiture Judgments paid for 2020 - $17,608.50
• Managed billings and compliance for Fourteen (14) active bond companies and
over Sixty-Two (62) surety agents.
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Collection Division
AGENCIES TOTAL
AMOUNT SENT
2020
TOTAL
COLLECTED
2020
COMMISSION
PAID
2020
LINEBARGER $ 1,806,801.00 $ 380,726.80 $ 87,839,00
APELLES $ 1,572,895.00 $ 391,529.84 $ 90,831.10
CAPITAL RECOVERY
Bond Forfeitures
$ 77,548.75 $ 13,292.50 $ 2,783.00
CAPITAL RECOVERY
Enforcement Cases
$ 1,591,899.00 $ 394,919.77 $ 91,634.30
SCHUERGER LAW
OFFICES
$ 386,261.00 $ 189,605.48 $ 43,829.09
TOTALS
$ 5,435,404.75 $1,370,074.39 $316,916.49
TOTALS FOR COLLECTION DIVISION-2020
20
Criminal/Traffic Division
The Criminal Traffic Division processes and maintains Criminal, Traffic, and
Environmental Criminal cases. The Criminal/Traffic Division provides a
multitude of services to the general public, law enforcement, and the Court. This
Division plays an integral role in the promotion of public safety by providing
support twenty-four (24) hours per day to law enforcement agencies throughout
the County. The Criminal/Traffic Division is also responsible for collection and
disbursement of bail/bond monies for defendants who are in custody. This
process includes providing documentation to the Franklin County Sheriff’s
Office so that defendants may be released from custody. The Criminal/Traffic
Division is responsible for electronically reporting several types of Traffic
Violations to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The Division also
processes applications for the expungement of case records as well as
maintaining and securing records which have been ordered by the Court to be
sealed. Other examples of service include administering oaths, accepting
criminal and traffic charges, filing motions, filing search warrants, providing
information about court cases, dispositions, future court dates, as well as
assisting in the courtroom. Accomplishments for Criminal/Traffic in 2020 are as
follows:
• The Expungement Department began accepting e-filed applications for sealing
of record.
• The Division completed a pilot for a webchat service. The “go live” target is
early 2021.
• Worked with the Court’s Probation Department to accept e-filed competency
reports.
• Complied with Administrative Orders extending fines and costs, court dates, and
mailing of case information.
• Accepted filings via fax and mail only pursuant to Administration Order.
• Per Administrative Order, jail arraignments held in Courtroom 4D were heard
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. All assigned prisoner cases were moved
to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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Accomplishments for the Criminal/Traffic Division in 2020 are as follows:
• Complied with Ohio House Bill 197 regarding Supreme Court of Ohio Tolling
Order for tolled speedy trial rights.
• Safety upgrades installed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a
Plexiglas barrier for Public counter area.
• Partnered with the Court to develop a new “Summons In Lieu of Arrest”
procedure for the Columbus Division of Police to request set aside of non-
violent warrants and request new court date. Offered to all police agencies.
• Per the Court’s Order, discontinued the long standing same-day “add on”
procedure for non-jail arraignments.
• Per Administrative Order, cases traditionally heard in Courtrooms 1A and 1B
were heard at the Greater Columbus Convention Center through the end of
2020.
• Worked with County Prosecutor’s Office to develop a system for prosecutors
to request files via email.
• Pulled unassigned cases for June 2020 for review/dismissal by City
Prosecutor for Courtrooms 1A, 1B, and 4C.
• Court ordered the discontinuation of on-site fingerprinting and directed
fingerprints be taken by arresting agency.
• Supervisors attended webinars included in the “Supervisor Series” presented
by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
• Added Ohio Revised Code charges to the case management system
(CourtView) applicable during the pandemic.
• The Division pulled cases from the rioting and curfew violation for the City
Attorney’s Office to review.
• Partnered with the Court to modify the application for sealing of record to
include the applicant’s email address.
22
Accomplishments for the Criminal/Traffic Division in 2020 are as follows:
• Worked with the Public Defender’s Office to include language on the
summons forms to allow defendants to reach them before their court
date.
• Contacted police agencies in Franklin County to obtain new rosters
and update the case management system.
• The Division met with members of Columbus City Council regarding
the creation of Opportunity Port.
• Updated the fingerprint order form issued to indicate when DNA was
collected.
• Partnered with the Court to create a new “refer back” policy when a
defendant is arrested that would eliminate the need for the defendant
to be brought to Court.
• Worked with the City Prosecutor’s Office to identify the process of
defining probable cause with Deputy Clerks.
• Collaborated with the Court and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to
implement a video arraignment system in Courtroom 4D.
• Implemented changes to the online Courtroom 4D arraignment list at
the request of justice partners.
• Accepted e-filings for Criminal, Traffic, and Environmental Criminal
cases on a pilot basis. The pilot project was successful, and the
Division made this feature available to attorneys practicing in the
Court as well as the general public.
23
• The Expungement Department participated in a virtual record sealing event
hosted by the Franklin County Self Help Resource Center and Legal Aid
Society of Columbus.
• In December of 2020, the Division implemented a “paper on demand
environment”, where all documents accepted for filing are imaged.
• The Division provided a Deputy Clerk on site during the Franklin County
Sheriff’s Office three-day-human trafficking “sting” operation. Over Fifty (50)
individuals were arrested.
• The Division provided a Deputy Clerk on-site during the Columbus Division of
Police’s three-day-prostitution “sting” operation. Police issued over sixty
(60) summonses.
• The Division amended the Affidavit of Indigency form and Application for
Sealing of Record mandated by the Supreme Court of Ohio and approved by
the Franklin County Municipal Court.
• The Division joined Governor DeWine’s “e-warrant” initiative, engaging in
dialogue with the City Attorney and local law enforcement agencies.
• At the request of the County Prosecutor’s Office, the Division began
providing email notification when a bind over is e-filed.
• The Division partnered with the County Auditor’s Office to streamline the
returned check process.
• The Division installed microphones at the front counter, file room , and
Expungement Department areas to enhance service after the Plexiglas
installation.
Accomplishments for the Criminal/Traffic Division in 2020 are as follows:
24
Criminal Cases 2020
Type A
-Felony
5,081
Type B
-Criminal
13,645
Total
18,726
Traffic Cases 2020
Type C
-OVI
3,674
Type D
-All Other
43,553
Total
47,227
Five Year Comparative Review of Cases Filed
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Environmental
4,504 4,579 3,865 3,435 2,427
Criminal
28,807 26,914 26,215 23,711 18,726
Traffic
101,151 102,255 101,609 94,574 47,227
Total
134,462 133,748 131,689 121,720 68,380
Five Year Comparative Review of Charges Filed
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Environmental
7,424 7,759 6,742 6,295 4,134
Criminal
40,939 36,299 36,416 33,457 27,294
Traffic
141,625 151,200 153,616 140,550 72,814
Total
189,988 195,258 196,774 180,302 104,242
25
COURTROOM SERVICES GROUP
The Courtroom Services Group (CSG) is a select group of highly skilled Deputy
Clerks in the Criminal/Traffic Division responsible for the daily processing and
updating of all cases on the Criminal/Traffic dockets. A CSG Deputy Clerk is
assigned to each of the (15) Fifteen judges as well as the Traffic Arraignment
courtrooms (1A and 1B). On a daily basis, CSG Deputy Clerks docket
subpoenas and motions, process unpaid fines and costs, enter sentencing
information, issue/recall warrants, process continuances, enter limited driving
privileges, add Temporary Protection Orders, and update bond information
along with all other entries in CourtView.
Civil 34,838
33%
Criminal
18,727
18%
Environmental
2,427
2%
Traffic 47,227
45%
Rent/Trust/&
Mayor's Court
1,438
2%
CASE TYPE BREAKDOWN
26
Additionally, CSG Deputy Clerks are responsible for routing files to the
Assignment Office, Probation Department, Accounting/Finance Department,
Expungement Department, Prosecutor’s Office, Collections Department, and to
the Vehicle Immobilization Coordinator. They also time stamp, docket, and
route Statement of Violations filed by the Probation Department. CSG Deputy
Clerks run and process case management reports.
Each CSG member acts as a liaison between Court personnel and the Clerk’s
Office. After Court, CSG Deputy Clerks provide assistance to other divisions of
the Clerks’ Office. In 2020, the Courtroom Service Group accomplished the
following:
Collaborated with the Honorable Judge Paul Herbert to develop and launch a
security process to “HIDE” CATCH program files from public view for the safety
and security of the program participants. “Considering the factors set forth in
Sup.R.45(E)(2)(a)-(c), the Court finds sua sponte the Defendant’s acceptance
into the CATCH program demonstrates that the presumption of public access to
information about this case is outweighed by the higher need to protect the
participant from harm. Sup.R.(E)(2).”
• Trained and placed three (3) new Courtroom Clerks.
• Welcomed new Judge D’Varga and her Bailiff to 13D.
• Trained two (2) Deputy Clerks on BCI reporting and correction of BCI rejects.
• Continued 20,851 cases; issued 14,347 notices; and Dismissed 4583 cases
when Columbus was shut down due to COVID-19.
• Created and implemented a shift of Courtroom Deputy Clerks for Traffic
Court proceedings to the Columbus Convention Center.
COURTROOM SERVICES GROUP
27
In 2020, the Courtroom Service Group accomplished the following:
• Developed and launched a reduced staffing initiative to assist in reduced staff
numbers during the Global Pandemic.
• Assisted attorneys with remote filing of motions via fax and e-Filing.
• Actively worked towards creating an internal complete e-Filing process.
• Collaborated in the development and launch of 4D Video Arraignments.
• Developed and implemented a process to image all filings.
• Clerk’s Office BMV Deputy Clerk coordinated with Ohio BMV to develop an
efficient method for emailing and faxing BMV documents.
• Clerk’s Office BMV Deputy Clerk developed a more efficient process to
communicate termination of Administrative License Suspensions with the
Ohio BMV.
• Transmitted approx. 63,000 records to the Ohio BMV.
• Terminated approx. 62,000 cases.
COURTROOM SERVICES GROUP
28
Environmental Criminal Traffic Total
2016
4504 28807 101151 134462
2017
4579 26914 102255 133748
2018
3865 26215 101609 131689
2019
3435 23711 94574 121720
2020
2427 18727 47227 68381
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
Cases
Environmental/Criminal/Traffic Case Filed
Expungements & Sealing of Cases in 2020
Number of
Applicatons Received For Expungement Proceedings 1,582
Number of Cases That Were Ordered Expunged By The Court
1,431
Number of
Applicatons Denied For Expungement 58
Number of Expungement Applications Withdrawn
86
Number of Cases Expunged By Order Of The Common Pleas Court
432
29
The Environmental Division of the Court began operations in 1992. This Division
has exclusive jurisdiction over criminal and civil actions to enforce building,
housing, health, or safety codes applicable to premises intended for the use as
a place of human habitation.
Environmental Cases 2020
Type A
-Felony 1
Type B
-Criminal 1,750
Type C
-OVI 7
Type D
-All Other 669
Total
2,427
Environmental Division Judge
Honorable Stephanie Mingo
30
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGES FILED IN 2020
CITY OF
COLUMBUS
ORDINANCE
OHIO
REVISED
CODE
OTHER
MUNICIPAL
ORDINANCES
DOG VIOLATIONS
DOG REGISTRATION 855
DOG CONFINEMENT 1 615
CONFINE VICIOUS / DANGEROUS DOG 67
VICIOUS DOG INSURANCE 1
RABIES QUARANTINE / VACCINATE 451
ABANDONING/ NEGLECT/ CRUELTY TO
ANIMALS 19 21 1
DISPLAY DOG TAG 22
DOG RUNNING AT LARGE 8 1
PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING ANIMALS /
ANIMAL VIOLATIONS 1 147 1
TOTAL 29 2180 2
CODE VIOLATIONS/PERMITS
BUILDING CODE 19
HOUSING CODE 88 4
ZONING CODE 9 14
NUISANCE ABATEMENT CODE 1 10
FIRE CODE 6
HEALTH CODE 3 145 2
UNLAWFUL SPITTING
TOTAL 107 145 49
31
NATURAL RESOURCES / WILDLIFE
WILDLIFE VIOLATION 7
NO HUNTING LICENSE 1
NO FISHING LICENSE 1
POLLUTING WATERS/AIR POLLUTION 1
PARK RESTRICTIONS 5
TOTAL 5 9 1
FAILURE TO HAVE LICENSE
NO MASSAGE LICENSE
NO PEDDLERS LICENSE
BUSINESS / PEDDLERS / SALES VIOLATIONS
6
TOTAL 0 6 0
FIRE VIOLATIONS
ARSON 1
OPEN BURNING/DUMPING 1
FIREWORKS 2
TOTAL 1 3 0
32
COMMERCIAL TRUCKING OFFENSES
LOAD DRIPPING / DROPPING / UNSECURE 48 38
EXCEEDING MAXIMUM 38 280
WIDTH / HEIGHT / AND WEIGHT 42 32
MAXIMUM WHEEL LOAD 2 30
WHEEL PROTECTORS / SAFETY EQUIPMENT 9 52
COMMERCIAL LICENSE / ENDORSEMENT /
PERMIT VIOLATIONS 121 147 5
TRANSPORT HAZARD WASTE / MATERIAL 584 1
TOWING VIOLATIONS / RESTRICTIONS 2 1
TOTAL 846 581 5
OTHER
LOUD SOUND 11 1
DISTURBING THE QUIET / NOISE
PROHIBITIONS 8
GRAFFITI 3 1
LITTERING / WASTE / RUBBISH/ GARBAGE
DISPOSAL 76 26 8
PARKING PERMIT / VEHICLE STORAGE
VIOLATIONS 22 3 6
TOTAL 120 29 16
33
CRIMINAL CHARGES FILED IN 2020
CITY OF
COLUMBUS
ORDINANCE
OHIO
REVISED
CODE
OTHER
MUNICIPAL
ORDINANCE
MURDER/ASSAULT
AGGRAVATED MURDER 3
MURDER 82
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER /
RECKLESS HOMICIDE
AGGRAVATED / VEHICULAR
MANSLAUGHTER 4
AGGRAVATED / VEHICULAR HOMICIDE 4
AGGRAVATED / VEHICLE ASSAULT 4
FELONIOUS ASSAULT 537
ASSAULT, NEGLIGENT ASSAULT, &
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 233 3871 12
MENACING AND AGGRAVATED MENACING
161 1426 8
MENACING BY STALKING 20 2
FELONY MENACING BY STALKING 11
TOTAL 394 5962 22
KIDNAPPING & ENTICEMENT
KIDNAPPING 76
ABDUCTION 48
UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT 7 43
TOTAL 7 167 0
34
SEX OFFENSES
RAPE 34
RAPE < UNDER 13 YEARS OLD 21
GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION 21
GROSS SEXUAL IMPOSITION < 13 YEARS
OLD 55
SEXUAL IMPOSITION 1 14
SEXUAL BATTERY 10
IMPORTUNING / FELONY IMPORTUNING 7 1
VOYEURISM 4 19 4
PUBLIC INDECENCY 30 76 4
PROCURING
COMPELL / PROMOTE PROSTITUTION /
TRAFFIC PERSONS
PROSTITUTION
LOITERING FOR PROSTITUTION /
SOLICITING 403 43
EXPOSING OTHERS-CONTAGION
PANDERING / DISSEMINATING / DISPLAYING
HARMFUL MATTER TO / OF JUV 66
SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS
VIOLATIONS
FAILURE TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER
11
FAILURE TO CHANGE OR RE-VERIFY
ADDRESS AS SEX OFFENDER 83
TOTAL 438 460 9
ARSON, VANDALISM & CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
ARSON 51
ARSON OFFENDER REGISTRATION 5
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF / VANDALISM 16 54 4
CRIMINAL DAMAGE & ENDANGERMENT 101 210 19
TOTAL 117 320 23
35
DRUG ABUSE
TRAFFICKING IN / DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS
10 96
FELONY DRUG ABUSE 282
MISDEMEANOR DRUG ABUSE 6 38
POSSESSION OF DRUGS / CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCES 1440 1
PERMITTING DRUG ABUSE 5
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA / INSTRUMENTS 1 937 85
DECEPTION TO OBTAIN DANGEROUS
DRUGS 3
ILLEGAL DRUG DOCUMENTS 3
MANUFACTURE OF DRUGS 2
POSSESS / SELL FAKE COUNTERFEIT
DRUGS 245
CORRUPTING ANOTHER WITH DRUGS 7
TOTAL 11 3026 124
ROBBERY, BURGLARY & TRESPASSING
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY 186
ROBBERY 121
AGGRAVATED BURGLARY 135
BURGLARY 162
BREAKING & ENTERING 97
SAFECRACKING / TAMPERING VENDING
MACHINE / ATM 2
AGGRAVATED / CRIMINAL TRESPASSING 405 444 29
TOTAL 405 1147 29
36
WEAPONS
CCW 213 3
IMPROPER HANDLING OF FIREARM /
DISCHARGING 65 502 9
WEAPONS UNDER DISABILITY 5 361
WEAPON USE WHILE INTOXICATED 1 23 2
DEFACED / ALTERED WEAPON / FIREARM 2
FAIL TO INFORM OFFICER (CCW / FIREARM)
7
POSSESSION OF CRIMINAL TOOLS 10 74 3
POSSESSION / ILLEGAL CONVEY /
UNSECURED OF DANGEROUS ORDINANCE
OR DEADLY WEAPON 2
ATTEMPT / FELONY 1 120
COMPLICITY 16 40 12
TOTAL 98 1344 29
THEFT & FRAUD
GRAND / FELONY THEFT 12
THEFT / PETTY THEFT / THEFT BY
DECEPTION 796 1713 171
EXTORTION / THREAT OF FORCE 2
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES
1 44 4
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF PROPERTY 3
FORGERY & UTTERING 20 73
PASSING BAD CHECKS 14
RSP 21 496 3
MISUSE / THEFT OF CREDIT CARD MIS. 1 6
MISUSE OF CREDIT CARD FELONY 1
TELECOMMUNICATION FRAUD 1
CRIMINAL SIMULATION 3 1
TAKING IDENTITY OF ANOTHER / IDENTITY
FRAUD 38
TRAFFICKING IN / ILLEGAL USE OF FOOD
STAMPS 1
MEDICAID FRAUD 4
TOTAL 839 2411 179
37
OFFENSES AGAINST PEACE OFFICERS
DISORDERLY CONDUCT 229 344 15
RESISTING ARREST 67 202 3
CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBTED / FALSE ID 1 162
FAILURE TO COMPLY 5 29 1
MISCONDUCT AT EMERGENCY 11 11 1
IMPROPER USE OF 911 15 5 2
RIOT / ENCITING VIOLENCE / INDUCING
PANIC / FALSE ALARMS 22 83 1
OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE / OFFICIAL
BUSINESS / SEARCH 113 370 11
FALSE INFORMATION TO MISLEAD / FALSE
REPORT / FALSE ALLEGATION /
FALSIFICATION / FAIL TO REPORT 104 195 12
IMPERSONATING AN OFFICER 1 3
ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER 56
HARASSMENT / ASSAULT BY INMATE 47
FLEEING AND ELUDING 126 1
ESCAPE 15
TOTAL 568 1648 47
OFFENSES AGAINST FAMILY
ENDANGERING CHILDREN / CHILD ABUSE 297 7
ENDANGERING CHILDREN /OVI 64
INTERFERING WITH CUSTODY 21
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (FELONY) 5
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 166 4,521
FELONY VIOLATION PROTECTION ORDER 10
VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER 20 930
NONSUPPORT OF DEPENDENTS
CONTRIBUTE, INFLUENCE WITH MINOR 3 3 4
ABUSE OF CORPSE
PATIENT NEGLECT / ABUSE /
ENDANGERMENT 1 11
TOTAL 190 5862 11
38
OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
CONTEMPT OF COURT 1
WITNESS INTIMIDATION / RETALIATION 8
TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE / RECORDS 75
ILLEGAL CONVEYANCE 31
DISRUPT PUBLIC SERVICES / MISCONDUCT
71 9
WORKERS COMPENSATION VIOLATION
ETHICS / DERELICTION VIOLATIONS 3
TAX FORMS / MISC TAX VIOLATIONS 3
TOTAL 71 130 0
ALCOHOL OFFENSES
PROHIBITED ALCOHOL UNDER 21 YEARS
OLD / MINOR PURCHASE / POSSESSION /
SALES TO 9 359 3
UNDERAGE CONSUMPTION
OPEN CONTAINER 7 18 12
CONSUMPTION / OPEN CONTAINER IN
PUBLIC PLACE 45 9
CONSUMPTION / OPEN CONTAINER IN
MOTOR VEHICLE 70 52 1
KEEPER OF PLACE 5
LIQUOR PROHIBITIONS / PERMIT
VIOLATIONS 9
TOTAL 131 452 16
GAMBLING
GAMBLING/GAMING 7
CASINO RELATED OFFENSES / LOTTERY
VIOLATIONS 6
TOTAL 0 13 0
39
MISC CRIMINAL VIOLATION
FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE 93
HOLD FOREIGN JURISDICTION 278
PEACE WARRANT / CIVL CAPIAS 11
TELEPHONE / TELECOMMUNICATIONS
HARRASSMENT 1 107 7
ETHNIC INTIMIDATION 1 1
TOBACCO VIOLATIONS 14 8
BUSINESS / VENDOR LICENSE /
REGISTRATION
AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING / STREET
BEGGERS
PEDESTRIAN OFFENSES
PUBLIC URINATION / DEFECATION /
SPITTING 16
AIRCRAFT OPERATION INTERFERENCE 3
MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER / TITLE
VIOLATIONS
FIREWORKS VIOLATIONS 1
TOTAL 32 502 7
OVI & PHYSICAL CONTROL
OVI (FELONY) 51
HIT SKIP / FAIL TO STOP (FELONY) 2
TOTAL 0 53 0
40
Summary of Cases
14%
84%
2%
Charges By Ordinance & Ohio Revised Code
City of Columbus Ordinance Ohio Revised Code Other Municipal Ordinance
City of Columbus
Ordinance
Ohio Revised
Code
Other Municipal
Ordinance
Environmental
1,108 2,953 73
Criminal
3,301 23,497 496
Total
4,409 26,450 569
41
Traffic Violations Bureau/Communications Department
The Traffic Violations Bureau manages all tickets and complaints issued by
twenty-one (21) Municipal Law Enforcement agencies and eight (8) Townships
within Franklin County which includes: Columbus Division of Police, Ohio State
Highway Patrol, Franklin County Sheriff, Ohio State University Police, and Port
Columbus Police. Our Office has jurisdiction in three (3) counties: Franklin,
Delaware, and Fairfield.
Within the Traffic Violations Bureau is the Communications Department. The
function of the Communications Department is to further promote ongoing
communications and the delivery of excellent public service to the general
public, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, court personnel, other courts, and
governmental agencies. In 2020, the Traffic Violations Bureau accomplished the
following:
• Continued effective communication with Police Agencies, Prosecutors,
Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Court, Mayor’s Court Clerks, and Franklin
County Municipal Court Courtroom Deputy Clerks to ensure quality work.
• Participated in Supreme Court Training Classes to gain additional knowledge
of professionalism and customer service to successfully attain our Mission
Statement.
• Continued with the new hire training schedule for Deputy Clerks to ensure they
have knowledge of their respective department and also other departments
within the Office.
• Cross-trained staff to ensure all daily responsibilities were met.
• Held weekly staff meetings to keep the lines of communication open
regarding policy changes, questions, and/or concerns.
• Implemented imaging process for all court documents received to ensure easy
access, including mail received with payments, Notices/Summons sent,
Statement of Facts from Police Agencies, the Environmental Weight Record,
and ITN cards.
42
Traffic Violations Bureau/Communications Department
• Managed risks of exposure to Covid-19 by reduced staffing while ensuring all
work tasks were completed in a timely fashion.
• Sent out notices for future court dates to reflect the change in scheduling due
to the Covid-19 virus.
• Updated and scheduled Environmental and Traffic cases according to new
procedures and court times.
• Made sure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was available to all staff to
ensure a safe and clean environment.
In 2020, the Traffic Violations Bureau/Communications Department
accomplished the following:
ACDA
1,980
FAILURE TO DISPLAY
HEADLIGHTS
113
APPR PUB SAFETY VEH W/LTS
DISPLAYED
33
FAILURE TO DISPLAY LICENSE
1
BACKING FROM ALLEY,PRIV DR OR
BLDG
8
FAILURE TO DISPLAY
-LICENSE
PLATE
44
BACKING ON A FREEWAY
10
FAILURE TO REINSTATE LICENSE
536
BACKING WITHOUT SAFETY
106
FAILURE TO SIGNAL
635
BICYCLE LAMPS/REFLECT REQ AT
NIGHT
14
FAILURE TO STOP SCHOOL BUS
10
BICYCLE RIDE ON RT SIDE OF
RDWY
2
FAILURE TO STOP
-ACCIDENT
451
BICYCLE SIGNAL DEVICE
4
FAILURE TO STOP
-MARKED
SCHOOL XING
1
BICYCLE
-
OPERATE W/O CONTROL
PROH
1
FAILURE TO YLD
-FUNERAL
PROCESSION
1
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
43
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
BICYCLE
-
OPERATE W/OUT SAFETY
PROH
5
FAILURE TO YIELD FROM
PRIVATE DRIVE
252
BICYCLE
-OPERATE W/O TWO
HANDS PROH
2
FALSE INFO TO ISSUING
OFFICER
9
BICYCLE
-OPERATE WEAVING
PROH
3
FLASHING RED SIGNAL
1
BICYCLE RIDE ON SIDEWALK PROH
21
FLASHING TRAFFIC SIGNAL
2
BLUE LIGHT PROHIBITED
9
FLEEING
24
CERTAIN ACTS PROH
-FICTITIOUS
ID
7
FOCUS AND AIM OF
HEADLIGHTS
2
CHANGE COURSE W/O SAFETY
89
FOLLOWING EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
3
CHANGING LANES W/O SAFETY
488
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
31
CHANGING LANES W/O SAFETY
-
BICYCLE
2
FREEWAY USE PROHIBITED
1
COUNTERFEIT PLATES
3
FTY “T” INTERSECTION
3
DRIVE ACROSS GRADE CROSSING
1
FTY RIGHT ON RED
2
DRIVE ON CLOSED HIGHWAY
28
FTY STOP SIGN
-BICYCLE
5
DRIVE ON CURB/SIDEWALK
13
HAND/ARM SIGNALS
1
DRIVE OVER FIRE HOSE
1
HANG ON OR RIDE OUTSTIDE
VEHICLE
6
DRIVE THROUGH SAFETY ZONE
4
HAZARDOUS OR NO PASSING
ZONE
42
DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER
PROHIBITED
16
HIT SKIP
-PERS/PROPTY
2
DRIVING MV IN BIKE LANE
1
HIT SKIP
-PUB STREET
2
DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE
158
HIT SKIP
-REAL ESTATE
1
DRIVING OUTSIDE LICENSE
RESTRICTIONS
18
IMPROPER LEFT TURN
57
DRIVING UNDER FRA SUSPENSION
1,315
IMPROPER PASSING
28
DRIVING UNDER OVI SUSPENSION
152
IMPROPER RIGHT TURN
96
44
DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION
2,333
IMPROPER TURN
34
DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLE
18
INADEQUATE BRAKES
1
DRIVING WITHIN LANES
60
INSTALL OF PROH WINDOW
TINT
2
DUTIES/NON WORKING SIGNAL
1
INTERSECT
W/NON-WORKING
TRAFFIC
CONTROL DEVICES 15
ELUDE/FLEE OFFICER
1
KEEP TO RIGHT/ROTARY
1
EMERG VEH
-FAIL TO SLOW DOWN
1
KNOWINGLY PERMIT
HANG/RIDE OUTSDE
5
EXPIRED TAGS
52
LANE CONTROL SIGNALS
6
FAIL TO YIELD/EMRG VEHICLE PED
2
LIGHTS REQ ON
PRKD/STOPPED VEHICLE
1
FAIL TO YIELD
PUBLIC SAFETY
VEHICLE
58
LOAD EXTENSION LIMITATIONS
1
FAIL TO
YIELD TO PEDESTRIAN IN
CROSSWALK/SIDEWALK
37
MANNER OF SIGNAL
-BICYCLE
1
FAIL/COMPLY W/OFFICER
9
MARKED LANES
185
FAILURE TO COMPLY
174
MOTORVEHICLE/CYCLE NOISE
2
FAILURE TO CONTROL
2,154
MUFFLER,EXCESSIVE GAS OR
SMOKE
14
FAILURE TO DISPLAY
9
NO MOTORCYCLE
ENDORSEMENT
46
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
NO OPERATORS LICENSE
3,023
PROH NUMBER OF
HEADLIGHTS
53
NO OPERATORS LICENSE EXP < 6
MTHS
65
PROH START/BACKING
6
NO OPERATORS LICENSE
-VALID
OPS
16
PROH START/SCHOOL BUS
1
NON
-
TRANS MATERIAL ON WINDOW
PROH
1
PROH USE OF MOBILE COMM
DEVICE
82
OBSCURED LIGHTS
1
PROHIBITED RIGHT TURN
10
OBSTRUCT INTERSECTING/RR XING
14
PROHIBITED TURN
2
OBSTRUCTED VIEW
-DRIVER
1
REAR VIEW MIRROR
-CLEAR
VIEW
4
45
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
ONE WAY HIGHWAY/ROTARY
155
REGISTRATION VIOLATION
4
ONE WAY
-BICYCLE
1
REPEAT OFFENDER
SUSPENSION
22
OPEN DOOR IN TRAFFIC
5
REQ: DISTR OF HEADLIGHT
BEAMS
13
OPEN DOOR W/OUT SAFETY
2
RESISTING TRAFFIC ENF
OFFICIAL
1
OPERATE MV/MC ON SIDEWALK
2
RIDING BICYCLE/MC ABREAST
6
OPERATE W/TAG FROM PREVIOUS
OWNER
12
RIDING BICYCLE/MC
RESTRICTIONS
1
OPERATION W/PROHIBITED
WINDOW TINT
326
RIGHT OF WAY AT
INTERSECTIONS
23
ORDER OF OFFFICER
-
PEDESTRIAN
17
RIGHT OF WAY TURNING LEFT
854
OVERTAKING PASS TO
RIGHT/LEFT
6
RIGHT OF WAY
-PEDESTRIAN
6
PARK BICYCLE/MOBLTY DEVICE
ON SDWLK
1
RIGHT OF WAY/STOP/YIELD
28
PARK
-DEALER DISPLAY
1
ROMV
166
PARK
-FAILURE TO REGISTER
3
SIGNAL DEVICES ON BICYCLE
-
BRAKE
3
PARKING VIOLATION
3
SIGNAL TERMS/LIGHTS
39
PARK
-OBSTRUCT
STREET/CROSSWALK
1
SKATES, COASTER, TOY IN
RDWAY PROH
1
PARK
-OBSTRUCTING ROADWAY
1
SLOW MOVE VEHICLE ON RIGHT
SIDE
2
PARK
-PARALLEL/ANGLE PARKING
1
SLOW SPEED
131
PARK
-TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
1
SOLICIT RIDE/RIDE OUTSIDE
VEHICLE
1
PASSING LEFT OF CENTER
31
SPEED
5,300
PASSING ON THE LEFT
6
SPEED SCHOOL ZONE < 35 MPH
92
PASSING ON THE RIGHT
14
SPEED SCHOOL ZONE > 35 MPH
23
PED CONTROL SIGNAL
3
SPEED
-UNREASONABLE
CONDITIONS
6
46
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
PED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY TO
VEHICLES
4
SQUEALING TIRES
14
PED USE OF CROSSWALK
REQUIRED
50
STOP LIGHTS REQUIRED
36
PED USE OF SHOULDER
REQUIRED
11
STOP SIGN
903
PED USE OF SIDEWALK REQUIRED
126
STOP SIDEWALK AREA
42
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING W/O
SAFETY
5
STREET RACING
2
PEDESTRIAN DIAGONAL
CROSSING RESTR
2
TAG VIOLATIONS
823
PEDESTRIAN ON FREEWAY
171
TAIL/LICENSE PLATE LIGHT REQ
121
PEDESTRIAN OUTSIDE CRSWLK
TO YIELD
2
TAMPER W/TRAFFIC CONTROL
DEVICE
1
PEDESTRIAN SOLICITING RIDE
PROHIBITED
2
TEMP PERMIT/MOTOR CYCLE
VIOLATION
1
PEDESTRIAN TO FACE TRAFFIC
5
TEMP PLATE
-DISPLAY
12
PEDESTRIAN UNDER THE
INFLUENCE PROH
6
TEMPORARY PERMIT VIOLATION
281
POSSESS EXTRA LICENSES
1
TITLE VIOLATION
4
POSTER/SIGN WINDOW
2
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
1,986
PROH ANIMAL/CART/BICYCLE ON
FRWAY
1
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
-
PEDESTRIAN
13
PROH LEFT OF CENTER
6
TURN INTO PRIV DR, ALLEY OR
BLDG
8
47
CITY OF COLUMBUS TRAFFIC CASES FILED 2020
TURN ON RED
42
TURN/DISREGARD PAINT
1
TURN/FROM ONE WAY ST
6
TURN/STOP SIGNALS
24
TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS
204
TWO LIGHTS REQUIRED
103
U TURN
305
UNNECESSARY HORN
7
USE FICTITOUS PLATES
28
USE OF HEADPHONES
13
USE TAG TO ANOTHER VEHICLE
203
WRONG SIDE
-DIVIDED ROAD 13
WRONGFUL ENTRUSTMENT
20
YIELD SIGN
17
ACDA
767
FAILURE TO SIGNAL
505
APPLY REGISTRATION
93
FAILURE TO STOP/GRADE RR
CROSSING
1
APPR STATIONARY PUB SAFETY
VEH
408
FAILURE TO STOP
-ACCIDENT
88
BMV 12 POINT SUSPENSION
133
FAILURE TO TRANSFER
REGISTRATION
23
BRAKE EQUIPMENT REQ FOR
VEHICLES
7
FAILURE TO YIELD FROM
PRIVATE DR
56
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
48
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
CERTAIN ACTS PROH
-
FICTITIOUS
ID
4
FALSE INFO TO ISSUING
OFFICER
3
CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM
207
FALSE STATEMENTS
6
CONSUMPTION IN MV
7
FLASHING LIGHTS PROHIBITED
2
DISPLAY OF DRIVERS LICENSE
41
FLASHING TRAFFIC CONTROL
SIGNAL
1
DRAG RACING/STREET RACING
8
FOCUS AND AIM OF
HEADLIGHTS
2
DRIVE LEFT OF CNTER/SUFF DIST
TO PASS
23
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
158
DRIVE ON CURB/SIDEWALK
4
FORFEITURE FOR VIOL OF
IMMOB ORDER
1
DRIVING IN MARKED LANES
1,147
FTS VEHICLE WHEN ORDERED
1
DRIVING IN MARKED THIRD LANE
8
FTY PUB SAFETY VEHICLE
48
DRIVING LEFT OF CENTER
PROHIBITED
113
FURNISH FALSE INFO TO AVOID
CITATION
21
DRIVING ON CLOSED
ROADWAY/HIGHWAY
48
HANDICAPPED PARKING
7
DRIVING OUTSIDE LICENSE
RESTRICTION
28
HIT SKIP
-PUB STREET
107
DRIVING OVER UNPROTECTED
FIRE HOSE
2
HORN,SIREN,AND THEFT ALARM
SIGNAL
1
DRIVING THROUGH SAFETY
ZONE
17
IMPAIRED ALERTNESS
-DRIVE
COMM VEH
3
DRIVING U/FRA SUSP OR
CANCELLATION
2,138
IMPROPER BUMPER
1
DRIVING U/NON PAYMENT
JUDGMENT
74
IMPROPER PASSING
43
DRIVING U/OVI SUSPENSION
245
INSTALL/SALE
SAFETY BELT
1
DRIVING U/SUSP OR VIOL OF
LICENSE REST
387
INTERSECTION W/NON
WORKING TCD
2
DRIVING U/SUSP
-FTA/PAY CHILD
SUPPORT
560
ISSUANCE OF REGIST/LICENSE
PLATES
2
DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION
1,309
LANE STRADDLING
172
49
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLE
119
LIGHTS OBSCURED ON
VEHICLES
2
DSPLY OF PLCRD ISS TO
MANF/DEAL/DISTR
4
MALFUNCTIONING TRAFF
CNTRL SIGNAL
2
EQUIP
RULES-SNOWMOBILE/OFF
HGHWAY/MC
2
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
HEADLIGHTS
1
FAIL TO REPORT ACCIDENT
1
MC IMPROPER
SITTING/NUM
PASSENGER
4
FAIL TO STOP/YIELD AT STOP
SIGN
258
MC TEMP PERMIT VIOL W/O
HELMET
1
FAIL TO STOP
-SCHOOL BUS
9
MISUSE OF NON COMMERCIAL
MV
2
FAIL TO USE HDLGHTS DURING
RESTR TIME
7
MUFFLER,EXCESSIVE GAS OR
SMOKE
81
FAIL TO YIELD AT YIELD SIGN
19
NO MOTORCYCLE
ENDORSEMENT
18
FAIL TO YIELD TO PED IN
CROSWALK/SIDEWALK
6
NONRESIDENT VIOLATOR
COMPACT
3
FAILURE TO COMPLY
42
OBSTRUCTED VIEW
-DRIVER
2
FAILURE TO CONTROL
1,009
OBSTRUCTING INTERSECT/RR
CROSSING
5
FAILURE TO DISPLAY
11
OCCUPYING SPACE ON
FREEWAY
-PED 6
FAILURE TO DISPLAY
HEADLIGHTS
157
ONE WAY HIGHWAY/ROTARY
132
FAILURE TO DISPLAY TWO
PLATES
10
OPEN CONTAINER
25
FAILURE TO OBEY OFFICIAL
SIGNS
2
OPEN DOOR IN TRAFFIC
2
FAILURE TO OBEY TRAFF CNTRL
DEVICE
2
OPER VEH W/O PROOF OF
FINANCIAL RESP
7
FAILURE TO REGISTER
-EXPIRED
TAGS
911
OPERATE MV BEARING INVAL
LIC PLATE
337
FAILURE TO REINSTATE LICENSE
603
OPERATE MV W/O VAL LIC
-EXP
LICENSE
16
50
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
OPERATE MV W/O VAL LIC EXP < 6
MTHS
55
RIGHT OF WAY YIELDED TO
BLIND PERSON
1
OPERATE MV W/O VAL LIC
-
NEVER
LICENSED
59
RULES FOR PASSING LEFT
CENTERLINE
16
OPERATE MV W/O VALID LICENSE
3,017
RULES FOR PASSING ON THE
RIGHT
18
OPERATE MV W/PREVIOUS
OWNER PLATES
16
SAFETY GLASS
4
OPERATE W/FOREIGN TAG
7
SAFETY LIGHTING ON COMM
VEH REQ
2
OPERATION OF ELECTRIC
PERSONAL DEV
1
SEATBELT
-ALLOW
PASSENGER
39
OPERATOR ALLOW PRSN TO
RIDE/HANG
1
SEATBELT
-OPERATOR
4,251
OPERATORS LICENSE
REQ-
SNOWMOBILE/MC
1
SEATBELT
-PASSENGER
97
PARKING NEAR CURB
3
SIDE
COWL,FENDER,BACK UP
LIGHT RESTRICTION
11
PARKING VIOLATION
-PRIVATE
RULES
9
SLOW MOV
VEH-RIGHT SIDE
OF ROADWAY
10
PARKING WRONG DIRECTION
6
SLOW SPEED
85
PASS IN MARKED HAZARDOUS
ZONE
26
SPEED
13,545
PASS ON THE RT
-CARS IN
OPPOSITE DIR
1
SPEED LIMITS PRIVATE
RDWYS/DRVWYS
1
PED ON RDWY YIELD RT OF WAY
TO VEH
2
SPEED
-SCHOOL ZONE
38
PED OUTSIDE CRSSWLK TO YIELD
2
SPEED
-SCHOOL ZONE OVER
20 MPH
69
PED YIELD RT OF WAY TO PUB
SFTY VEH
1
STARTING AND BACKING
VEHICLES
58
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
PROHIBITED
3
STOP AFTER ACCIDENT
INVOLVE INJURY
8
PEDESTRIAN ON BRIDGE/RR
CROSSING
2
STOP LIGHTS REQUIRED
53
PEDESTRIAN ON SIDEWALK
RIGHT OF WAY
2
STOP SIGN ON PRIV RESIDNTL
RD/DRVWY
1
PEDESTRIAN WALKING ALONG
HIGHWAY
4
STOP
-SIDEWALK AREA
9
PEDESTRIAN WALKING IN
ROADWAY
20
SURRENDER OF FOREIGN
DRIVERS LIC
11
PERMIT OPERATION W/O VALID
LICENSE
7
SUSP OF LIC
-FTA/PAY
FINE/DENY VEH REG
135
51
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
PERMIT OPERATION
-
SNWMBL/MC/ATV
3
TAG VIOLATIONS
698
PROH AGAINST DRIVE UPON LEFT
SIDE
17
TAIL/LICENSE PLATE LIGHT REQ
214
PROH AGAINST PARKING ON
HIGHWAY
20
TAMPERING W/TRAFFIC CNTRL
DEVICE
1
PROH AGAINST RESIST/INTRFR
W/OFFICIAL
4
TEMP PLATE
-REGISTRATION
2
PROH ATTACHING TO VEHICLE
1
TEMPORARY PERMIT VIOLATION
124
PROH OPER OF MV
-TEMP HIGH
WATER
1
TEMPORARY PERMIT/MC
VIOLATION
4
PROH SOLICIT BY PED
-EMP
BUS/CONTR
50
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
33
PROH SOLICIT BY PED
-SOLICIT
RIDE
7
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
704
PROHIBITED NUMBER OF
HEADLIGHTS
131
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE
-
PEDESTRIAN
3
PROH
-SNWMBLE/OFF HGHWY
MC/APV
3
TRAFFIC DEVICE
-PEDESTRIAN
1
REAR VIEW MIRROR, CLEAR VIEW
3
TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS
83
RECKLESS OPERATION
262
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
-RED LIGHT
151
RECKLESS OPERATION
-OFF
ST/HIGHWAY
6
TRANSPORT SCHOOL CHILDREN
1
RED LIGHT/FLAG REQ ON EXTND
LOAD
1
TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS
142
RED REFLECTORS REQ ON MV
6
TURNING IN ROADWAY
28
REG OF VEH/ENGNE NOISE IN
UNCRP AREA
1
TWO HEADLIGHTS DISPLAYED
75
REG REQ
-SNWMBLE/OF HGHWY
MC/APV
3
UNAUTHORIZED SIGNS AND
SIGNALS
5
REG W/IN THIRTY DAYS OF
RESIDENCY
1
USE OF HEADPHONES
10
REQ: DISTRIBUTION OF
HEADLIGHTS EAMS
42
VEHICLE EQUIPPED W/TURN
SIGNALS
2
RIDING BICYCLE NEAR RGHT SIDE
OF RDWY
1
VEHICLE STANDING OR PARKING
VIOL
77
RIGHT HALF OF ROADWAY
EXCEPTIONS
98
WINDOW TINT RESTRICTIONS
100
RIGHT OF WAY AT
INTERSECTIONS
232
WINDSHIELD REQUIRED
9
52
STATE OF OHIO TRAFFIC CHARGES FILED IN 2020
WRONG SIDE
-DIVIDED ROAD 35
WRONGFUL ENTRUSTMENT OF MV
11
WRONGFUL ENTRUSTMENT
-NOT VALID 9
WRONGFUL ENTRUSTMENT
-SUSPENSION 2
WRONGFUL ENTRUSTMENT
-VIOL 4511.19 2
City Of Columbus State Of Ohio Total
2016
75746 65879 141625
2017
76258 74942 151200
2018
72853 80762 153615
2019
67585 72965 140550
2020
31376 41438 72814
0
20000
40000
60000
80000
100000
120000
140000
160000
180000
Traffic Charges Filed
53
MAYOR’S COURT TRANSFERS 2020
BEXLEY
15
CANAL WINCHESTER
26
DUBLIN
76
GAHANNA
26
GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS
13
GROVE CITY
291
GROVEPORT
12
HILLIARD
65
MARBLE CLIFF
4
MINERVA PARK
17
NEW ALBANY
55
OBETZ
18
REYNOLDSBURG
147
UPPER ARLINGTON
39
VALLEYVIEW
4
WESTERVILLE
41
WHITEHALL
150
WORTHINGTON
18
AGENCY TOTAL
TOTAL CASES FILED: 1,017
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Cases
1,895 1,789 1,560 1,692 1,242
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
# of cases
Year
MAYOR'S COURT TRANSFERS
54
Accounting/Finance Division
The Accounting Finance Division works within both the Civil and Criminal/Traffic
Division. The Accounting Finance Division oversees the collection and accounting
for all fines, court costs, fees, bail/bonds, garnishments, judgments, and restitution,
which are issued by the court. The Division processes a monthly disbursement of all
the collected funds to the appropriate State, City, County, and Township Agencies.
Accounting Finance also has four (4) internal payment plan programs that are in
compliance with the Ohio Revised Code, and the Local Court Rules, and an online
payment service that is offered through the Clerk of Courts. The programs are as
follows:
o Time Payment Program for fines, costs, and restitution is authorized by the
sentencing Judge, allows a defendant to make monthly payments, up to
twelve months, or until balance is paid in full.
TOTAL NEW SIGN-UPS IN 2020: 678
TOTAL CASES ON PROGRAM PAID IN FULL IN 2020: 624
o Rent Escrow Program allows tenants that have a complaint regarding their
residential housing conditions to deposit their rent payment into an escrow
account until the matter has been resolved.
NEW CASES FILED IN 2020: 186
o Trusteeship Program allows a debtor to deposit a portion of their personal
earnings with the Clerk of Courts to avoid legal proceedings, by creditors. The
funds received are disbursed to the creditors equally, until all debt is paid in
full.
NEW CASES FILED IN 2020: 10
55
Accomplishments for Accounting/Finance in 2020 are as follows:
o Restitution Program. The restitution payment that is ordered by the court is
made to the Clerk of Courts, and is sent directly to a victim, or victims to
compensate any damages the court has deemed appropriate in that case.
The Clerk does not charge any fees for this service of the court.
PAYMENTS FORWARDED TO VICTIMS IN 2020: 1799
TOTAL MONIES FORWARDED TO VICTIMS IN 2020: $410,382.58
CASES WITH RESTITUTION PAID IN FULL: 463
o Online Payment Service (EPAY).This is an online payment convenience that
is offered by the Clerk of Courts for payment of payable citations, and for
any fines and court costs once a case is adjudicated.
AMOUNT COLLECTED THROUGH THE ONLINE PAYMENT
SERVICE IN 2020: $5,495,525.00
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES PAID THROUGH THE ONLINE
PAYMENT SERVICE IN 2020: 26,575
Created new accounting business practices and provided staff coverage for
five (5) “Live Agent” Kiosk machines at the Greater Columbus Convention
Center. Two (2) machines were posted outside the designated Civil
Courtrooms and three (3) machines were posted outside the Traffic
Courtrooms. The Kiosks provided an opportunity for the public to contact a
Deputy Clerk with questions, and/or pay their fines and costs electronically
on site. Attorneys accessed the Kiosks to ask questions and pay filing fees
on new eviction cases.
A Dropbox was added to the lobby on the first floor of the Franklin County
Municipal Court Building for Civil Case Filings. The Dropbox provided a
non-contact method for the filing of documents and payment of eviction
fees.
Two new email addresses were created to improve communication for Rent
Escrow and Trusteeship customers (rentescrow@fcmcclerk.com and
[email protected]). Deputy Clerks are assigned daily to answer
questions and provide necessary electronic forms.
56
Accomplishments for Accounting/Finance in 2020 are as follows:
$40.8
$40.3
$41.6
$41.2
$29.9
$0.0
$5.0
$10.0
$15.0
$20.0
$25.0
$30.0
$35.0
$40.0
$45.0
$50.0
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Civil, Rent Escrow, Trusteeship, Criminal/Traffic
Funds Received (Millions)
Restructured the Accounting/Finance Civil phone system. The result
was less dropped calls and improved customer service.
Expanded ACH Government Disbursement transactions by adding
twenty-six (26) new agencies to the program. Funds are transferred
electronically and interim reports are emailed to a designated person
within the agency.
57
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Cases
177744 180299 182716 173574 103415
Revenue
410000 403000 416000 412000 299000
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
350000
400000
450000
Case & Revenue Comparision
Revenue Listed in Millions
2020 Franklin County Municipal Court
Financial Statements
58
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
Columbus, Ohio
One Hundred [and] Fifth
ANNUAL REPORT
2020
59
60
FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
375 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4520
Chambers of
Judge Ted Barrows
Administrative & Presiding Judge
Telephone: 614/645-8207
March 31, 2021
Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk
Citizens of Franklin County
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In accordance with section 1901.14 of the Ohio Revised Code, it is my pleasure
to provide you with the 2020 Annual Report of the Franklin County Municipal Court.
From all indications, the Franklin County Municipal Court remains the largest
and busiest municipal court in Ohio. We continually strive to improve our services
to every citizen who appears in this Court and to be wise and efficient stewards of
taxpayer resources. We appreciate the financial support that we receive in these
difficult economic times and hope that this continued support is a reflection of your
trust in the way we conduct our operations and expend taxpayer dollars.
The increasing complexity of the laws and the desire to meet the needs of every
citizen who appears in this Court present substantial challenges to our judges and
staff. As you will see from the details in the report that follows, our judges, and
staff remain fully committed to meeting the needs of our citizens and our
community. We continually strive to improve our services and fulfill our obligation
to fairly interpret the laws of Ohio.
Please feel free to contact me or Court Administrator, Emily Shaw at (614) 645-
8214 if you have any questions or would like any additional information.
Yours truly,
Ted Barrows
Administrative and Presiding Judge
Enclosure
61
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT
375 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4520
614-645-8214
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Franklin County Municipal Court traces its origin to the creation of the Columbus
Municipal Court in 1916. Now, the geographic jurisdiction of the Court is all of
Franklin County and those portions of the City of Columbus that extend beyond the
boundaries of Franklin County. The Court has 14 judges in the General Division and
one judge in the Environmental Division. Judges serve six-year terms, unless
appointed or elected to fill a vacancy. Annually, they elect one of their peers to serve
as the Administrative and Presiding Judge.
The judges who served the Franklin County Municipal Court during the year 2020
Judge Ted Barrows, Administrative and Presiding Judge, and Judges James Green,
H. William Pollitt, Jr., Paul M. Herbert, Andrea C. Peeples, David B. Tyack, Mark A.
Hummer, James P. O’Grady, Cindi Morehart, Cynthia L. Ebner, Eileen Paley, Jodi
Thomas, Jarrod Skinner, Jessica D’Varga, and Environmental Court Judge
Stephanie Mingo.
Judges preside over civil, criminal, and traffic cases, conduct both jury, and court
trials. In jury trials, judges interpret the law and the jury determines the facts. Court
trials are the most common trials in this Court. In these trials, judges have the dual
role of interpreting the law and determining the facts. The judges also conduct
criminal arraignments and preliminary hearings on felony cases; set bond on
criminal charges; issue search warrants; and impose sentence when a defendant is
found guilty of a traffic or criminal charge. The judges hear civil cases with an
amount in controversy of $15,000 or less, and cases that are transferred from the
Small Claims Division to the General Division of the Court. Other civil disputes
resolved in this Court included evictions, rent escrow proceedings, and proceedings
to aid in the collection of judgments.
The Environmental Division has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce local codes and
regulations affecting real property, such as fire and building codes. The
Environmental Division has injunctive powers, and there is no monetary limit on
those cases that fall within the Division’s exclusive jurisdiction.
Each week a different judge is assigned to the Duty Session to handle a variety of
responsibilities, such as applications from law enforcement officers for search
warrants, probable cause hearings, and civil wedding ceremonies.
62
ASSIGNMENT OFFICE
The Assignment Office provides the Court with case management, case flow, and
administrative support on all assigned judicial cases for the 15 Judges of the General
and Environmental Divisions from the time of judicial assignment through termination,
any post-sentence case management, which would include probation hearings, sealing
of record hearings and any post-judgment case management for civil cases. The
Franklin County Municipal Court is entitled through R.C. 1901.33(A), to appoint an
assignment commissioner, deputy assignment commissioners, and other court aides.
The office currently consists of an assignment commissioner, one assignment
supervisor, six case coordinators, one unassigned case coordinator, and four full-time
assignment clerks.
The Assignment Office is responsible for the assignment of cases to the judiciary, by
random assignment or single assignment. The Rules of Superintendence for Municipal
Courts, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Ohio, requires that cases be assigned to
judges in a random manner. Random assignment occurs at the time a defendant enters
a “not guilty” plea in criminal and traffic cases, and upon the filing of a motion or an
answer in civil cases (Local Rule 1). The Court also employs a single assignment
system (Local Rule 8). This means that when a person is charged with a criminal or
traffic offense and already has a pending criminal or traffic case, or the person is on
probation to this Court, the new case(s) will be assigned to the judge who is presiding
over a current pending assigned case(s) or who presided over any previous case(s) with
current active probation.
The Assignment Commissioner, Assignment Supervisor, and Case Coordinators assign
all cases ripe for assignment, schedule all judicial pre-sentence and post-sentence
hearings, review pleadings, and motions, prepare and monitor the judicial civil motions
lists and case updating reports, as well as prepare the Form A and Individual Judicial
Reports for the judges to be submitted to the Supreme Court of Ohio. Assignment
Clerks will update, research, and prepare all case files for the assignment case
coordinators to schedule, as well as logging and docketing sealing of record reports,
update case information for notices, motions, and judicial entries. All staff members
perform case updating in the current database system for attorneys, suburban
prosecutors, and case pleadings.
Staff will verify jail status and research defendants for single assignment, by determining
if a defendant has pending and/or probation which would change the random judicial
assignment of a newly assigned criminal, traffic, and sealing of records cases. The
office reviews and updates civil case information and sends notice of filing on certain
motions, entries, and objections per Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and Local Rules.
63
The Assignment Office services a public counter which is staffed by the Assignment
Clerks. Personnel will assist Court and Clerk staff, Prosecutors, Attorneys, and the
general public. Assistance includes providing case information, such as schedule dates
and locations, accepting new attorney database registration and/or changes, notice of
appearance of counsel, party address changes, scheduling court dates, notary service,
and directions within the building, and other court information.
The Assignment Commissioner manages the single case judicial appointments made to
the Supreme Court of Ohio, in conjunction with the Court Administrator, from the Court’s
request, appointment, and through the termination of the case(s), and any subsequent
post-sentence hearings. Appointments occur when there is a judicial court recusal on an
assigned case(s). In 2020 the court had six cases that required judicial appointments,
four special appointments for bench conflicts, and five general requests for judicial seat
coverage.
The Franklin County Municipal Court in 2020, started the year with 5 of its 14 General
Division judges operating specialty docket programs along with their regular case docket
and currently have 4 of the General Division judges operating the 5 programs. The
specialty dockets are the CATCH (Changing Actions to Change Habits), MAVS (Military
and Veteran’s Docket), h.a.r.t. (Helping Achieve Recovery Together), L.I.N.C. (Learning
to Identify and Navigate Change), and Recovery Court. All pre-sentence and post-
sentence hearings are scheduled in the Assignment Office by the case coordinator
assigned to the judge who is elected to operating that particular program (Local Rule 8).
As COVID-19-19 restricted court appearances, the Assignment Office diligently supplied
reactive case management to the judiciary. Throughout the pandemic, Assignment's
official duties were considered essential to the overall functions of the court. During
shutdowns within the state and country, assignment staff continued in court duties as
attentively and efficiently as possible. In March, April, and May, judicial dockets were
rescheduled and incarcerated defendant cases were still assigned, processed, and
terminated. The court reopened to some minimal court appearances and arraignments
in June, following recommendations of State, County and City health officials and the
Supreme Court of Ohio. At this time cases are again being referred for assignment and
case management to the judiciary.
On all assigned cases, parties are notified of pending hearing dates by mail for all initial
hearings or by fax for incarcerated defendants. All subsequent hearings scheduled for
civil cases are issued by mail and when requested for criminal, traffic, and sealing of
record cases, otherwise, in-court notification is used for criminal, traffic, or sealing of
record cases. In 2020 the Assignment Office scheduled approximately 101,000 hearings
and mailed approximately 405,000 hearing notices to parties, which was only a reduction
of 9% from the previous year. Even though there was a 37% reduction in the new and
reactivated cases of 51,156 in 2019 to 32,277 in 2020. All case type categories in the
graph below saw a reduction from 2019 to 2020 the exception of the environmental
division traffic cases, which saw a 72% increase, from 136 assigned to 491.
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The Office has the responsibility to prepare management reports for the judiciary, such
as case statistic reports, hearing statistics, and monthly statistical reports for each judge
for submission to the Ohio Supreme Court. The office also prepares the individual
judge’s daily docket court sheets, board-sheets, and the judicial civil motion’s list. In 2020
the assignment office received, processed, updated, and managed 1,697 civil motions on
assigned judicial cases.
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The General Divisions clearance rate was up 7% from 2019 to 2020 to 107%, with the
five-year average increasing 1% to 101%. The Environmental Division saw a
decrease from 2019 to a rate of 96% in 2020, but a five-year average increase to
101%. The Environmental Division – Civil saw its clearance rate increase to 101%,
with a 1% increase in the five-year average over the previous five-year average.
BAILIFFS
Bailiffs coordinate activities in the courtrooms, schedule cases, provide docket
management, provide information to the public about the status of cases, and act as
liaisons between their assigned judge or magistrate and attorneys, court personnel,
and the general public. Each judge has an assigned courtroom bailiff, there is an
unassigned bailiff who rotates among the judges to provide courtroom coverage when
a judge’s bailiff is absent, and there is a duty room and two arraignment bailiffs. Each
magistrate also has a bailiff.
COURT ADMINISTRATION
Court Administration oversees the administrative and operational functions of the
Court. It carries out the non-judicial policies of the Court. In addition to providing
overall support and direction to the Court’s 260 employees, some of its specific
functions include personnel management, budgeting and fiscal management,
purchasing, liaison with other courts and agencies, public information, appointment of
counsel, court services, court security, interpreter services, vehicle immobilization, and
volunteer services. The Court Administrator is the chief non-judicial officer.
The Court’s General Fund Operating budget for 2020 was $20,215,446 with an
additional $1,631,903 Secure Facilities Fund budget and $614,999 Computer Fund
budget.
Personal Services $17,669,897
Materials and Supplies 60,300
Services 1,995,249
Other expenditures 490,000
Total General Fund Expenditures $20,215,446
Breakdown of General Fund Operating Budget 2020
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COURT REPORTERS
Court Reporters make a verbatim record of court proceedings, prepare a transcript from
the record of court proceedings upon request, and maintain records of exhibits
introduced at court proceedings. The Court has an obligation to provide a transcript of
all proceedings upon request of a party, and there must be a court record of all pleas
and waivers. In 2020 the Department was staffed with 1 chief court reporter, 8 full-time
court reporters, and 4 part-time court reporters and they provided 134 transcript and/or
DVD requests.
COURT SECURITY
Court Security was established to maintain a safe environment in the courthouse for
elected officials, Court employees, and all others having business in the
courthouse. The staff consists of a security director, security supervisor, administrative
assistant, control room operator, and 23 security officers on the first shift, plus a control
room operator on each of the second and third shifts. In addition, the Court contracts
with a private security company to provide daylight, evening, weekend, and holiday
coverage.
During 2020 approximately 492,727 visitors to the Court were screened at the Court’s
entry points by security officers. These officers responded to 262 building incidents.
Columbus Police Liaisons made 319 arrests in the building.
COURT SERVICES
The Court Services Unit assists in the day-to-day duties of the Duty Room, Court
Services service counter, and vehicle sanctions. This Unit of the Court consists of 5
full-time and 1 part-time employees.
The Judges are assigned to the Duty Room on a weekly rotating basis. The Duty
Judge approves Magistrate decisions, rules on motions filed on all non-assigned civil
cases, performs civil ceremonies, signs search warrants, hold hearings for show cause,
exemption requests, objections to a Magistrate’s decision, and warrant set asides, and
performs myriad of other miscellaneous duties.
For 2020 the Duty Room handled:
• 25,910 civil files signed in the Duty Room, a decrease of 38.1%.
a. 3,635 or 14% of those files sought approval of Magistrate decisions.
b. 334 or 1.3% of those files sought hearings for show cause, exemption
requests, and objections to a Magistrate’s decision.
• 567 civil ceremonies were scheduled with 352 or 62% of those civil
ceremonies actually taking place.
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For 2020 Court Services handled:
• 1,718 people for an average of 7.13 people a day. Of those who came in 652
people or 38% could not be assisted or were directed to another area.
• 285 people or 16.6% wanted their warrants set aside.
• 152 people or 8.9% wanted to be put on time payments for their fines and
costs.
• 17 people or .05% wanted to either change their driving privileges or wanted to
get driving privileges.
• 107 people or 6.3% wanted their fines and costs changed to community
service.
• 409 people or 24.9% wanted a continuance for either their court date, driver
intervention program, dates sentenced to jail, or fines and costs.
• 96 people or 5.6% came in for miscellaneous matters.
State law mandates the immobilization or forfeiture of vehicles operated by defendants
who are convicted of the following offenses: repeat OVI offenses (operating a vehicle
while under the influence of alcohol or drugs) and driving under certain court or BMV
related suspensions. Immobilization or forfeiture of vehicles involved in suspension cases
related to the Financial Responsibility Act or wrongful entrustment of a vehicle are at the
Court’s discretion.
This Unit also acts as a liaison and is responsible for the communications to and from the
court, law enforcement, and defendants to ensure compliance with the Court’s orders
involving the defendant’s vehicle.
For 2020 Vehicle Sanctions handled:
• 5,394 Driving Under Suspension cases filed representing an decrease of 49.6%
from 2019.
• 245 or 4.54% of the Driving Under Suspension cases were related to driving
under an OVI suspension. Driving under an OVI suspension requires a 30 day
immobilization of the vehicle.
• 428 vehicles were released representing a 42.5% decrease from 2019.
• 160 vehicles were relocated representing a 50% decrease from 2019.
• 82 vehicles were immobilized representing a 45.3% decrease from 2019.
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• 66 cases were filed where the Prosecutor and Court were seeking forfeiture
of the vehicle, a decrease of 51.8% from 2019.
• 11 vehicles were forfeited in 2020 representing a 54.2% increase from 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION
In the Environmental Division, which is commonly referred to as “The Environmental
Court”, Judge Stephanie Mingo has continued to successfully integrate a series of
unique sentencing strategies to combat vacant and abandoned properties, along with
chronically offending landlords in Franklin County. The impact of the COVID-19-19
Pandemic on the Environmental Division was unprecedented. Included within the
Court's unique jurisdiction is the enforcement of Public Health codes and
regulations. This required the Court to adjudicate several cases involving the
implementation of protocols designed to prevent and slow the spread of the COVID-
19-19 virus in various commercial establishments.
Under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Division, nuisance abatement cases filed
within the County come before the Environmental Judge. These cases can involve
derelict hotels, businesses violating health department orders, liquor establishments
in violation of the law, drug houses, and other residential and commercial properties
conducting illegal and nuisance activities. Nuisance activities can range from illegal
drug sales, underage alcohol sales, operating contrary to health department orders,
prostitution, and general violence. The Environmental Division also hears cases
involving environmental crimes, violations, and similar matters filed within the
County. Some examples of these cases include animal abuse and neglect, dog
fighting, vicious animals, wildlife violations, poaching, littering, dumping, overweight
trucks, hazardous waste transportation, unlicensed tire transportation, air pollution,
water pollution, hoarding, health, zoning, code enforcement, and park district
violations. In 2020, 2,429 new criminal cases and 646 new civil cases were filed
within the Environmental Division.
As the only Court in the County handling code enforcement cases, the Environmental
Division utilizes unique techniques to ensure our communities and neighborhoods are
restored from the negative and often hazardous impact of nuisance properties.
Property owners are ordered to bring their properties into compliance under the
supervision of the Court’s Chief Environmental Specialist and the Field Services staff
of the Environmental Division. Penalties range from daily fines, jail time, and
community service hours to be completed within the Court’s Community Cleanup
Crew program. Property owners are supervised by Environmental Division staff and
are assigned reasonable compliance plans and timelines until compliance is
achieved.
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The Environmental Division operates two courtrooms simultaneously with Magistrate
Ben Hoelzel conducting civil case conferences and Judge Stephanie Mingo
presiding over civil and criminal hearings.
In 2020, the Environmental Division along with the Court’s Probation Department
provided supervision to all non-code enforcement related cases that resulted in a
probation sentencing. A dedicated probation officer is assigned to supervise these
cases with the Chief Environmental Specialist and the Environmental Division’s Field
Services staff providing field investigations and inspections for those cases. The Chief
Environmental Specialist in conjunction with the field service staff member routinely
conducts investigations and inspections to ensure compliance with the law, the
conditions of probation, and other terms of sentencing.
The Environmental Division has continued its education and outreach programs
throughout Franklin County, despite the COVID-19-19 Pandemic. Judge Mingo and
the Environmental Division communicated remotely with many neighborhood groups
and associations, area commissions, block watches, and community leaders in an
effort to stay connected during the pandemic. The Environmental Division also
maintains its website – www.EnvironmentalCourt.us – to provide helpful information to
the public and to serve as a resource for area agencies.
In the face of the COVID-19-19 Pandemic, the Environmental Division has taken steps
to adjust protocols and Court procedures to keep citizens as safe as possible when
attending Court. This has been balanced with adjustments in scheduling to continue to
accommodate an increasing caseload that is expected in the wake of the pandemic.
As we head into 2021, the economic impact of the pandemic in our most vulnerable
neighborhoods is likely to lead to an increase in housing and building code complaints.
In addition, the alarming spike in violence in our community, especially instances
concentrated in certain localities, has already lead to a dramatic increase in nuisance
abatement cases involving illicit drugs and violence.
JURY COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
It is the duty of the Jury Commissioner’s Office to summon, orient, and assign
prospective trial jurors to courtrooms when needed. The Jury Commissioner tracks
voir dire (a preliminary examination of prospective jurors to determine their
qualifications and suitability to serve on a jury, in order to ensure the selection of fair
and impartial jury) results and trial verdicts, and collects demographic data to ensure
the jury venire (those summoned for jury service) is a true sampling of all cognizable
groups in Franklin County’s qualified population.
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Jury service is a two (2) week commitment. Jurors are paid $15.00 a day for their
attendance and they receive a parking voucher. The Jury Commissioner’s office is now
using new software that has the ability to text and email jurors. March 16, 2020 the Jury
Commissioner’s office started an on-call jury service. Jurors only reported if they were
sent a message to report to Court. From 1/1/2020 through 3/16/2020 before
coronavirus jurors reported each day. The number of jurors summoned during that time
was 1,020 and the jurors that reported for service was 307. From 3/16/2020 through
12/18/2020 after coronavirus the number of jurors summoned was 3,992 and the jurors
that reported for service was 466. During coronavirus there were ten (10) jury trials.
Those trials went from voir dire all the way to a verdict. New software worked extremely
to alert jurors by text and email with instructions to report for a trial or to stay on-call for
the following day.
LANGUAGE SERVICES
During 2020 the Court employed two full-time Spanish language interpreters and one
full-time Somali, MayMay, and Swahili language interpreter and contracted for one part-
time Spanish and one part-time Somali language interpreters. Together they completed
an estimated 4,571 requests for service (4,051 in Spanish and 520 in Somali, MayMay,
and Swahili). The Court has multiple contracts with outside vendors to provide foreign
language and ASL interpreters. There were 1,604 requests for interpreters in 41 other
languages, 1,423 requests were filled by onsite interpreters and there were 181
requests in languages of lesser diffusion like Q’iche, Ixil, Mam, Mixteco, Zapoteca,
Krio, Luganda, Soninke, Yoruba, Punjabi, and Hakha Chin that were covered
through remote interpretation. The foreign languages for which interpreters were most
requested were Spanish, Somali, Nepali, Arabic, French, Tigrinya, Mandarin,
Portuguese, Vietnamese and Amharic. Additionally, the Court filled 136 requests for
American Sign Language and Certified Deaf interpretation and Captionist. The
Interpreter Services Program continues to offer a mentoring program and training
opportunities for judiciary interpreters to better serve the Court and all parties.
LEGAL RESEARCH
The Court employs a Legal Research Director who provides legal research, supervises
the work of part-time law clerks, and serves as a part-time magistrate. The Director and
Law Clerks research and prepare memoranda on issues pending before the Court,
maintain research and reference materials, review new case law to ensure the Court’s
compliance with the decisions, review pending legislation that may affect the Court, and
advise the judges and employees regarding new legal developments and applications
of current law to court procedures. The legal research director also serves as a part-
time magistrate and liaison to the Court’s Self Help Resource Center.
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MAGISTRATES
The Court employs five full-time General Division magistrates, and one part-time
magistrate who preside over traffic arraignments, landlord-tenant actions, wage
garnishments, small claims cases, and other civil matters. The Court also employs
one Environmental Division magistrate who presides over criminal and traffic
arraignments and hearings, all civil pre-trials and status conferences, other civil
hearings, and manages the civil docket of the Environmental Division. Judges may
also refer specific cases to magistrates to take testimony, make legal rulings, and
render decisions that are subject to final approval by the referring judge. Magistrates
have the authority to accept guilty and no contest pleas and to impose penalties in
misdemeanor cases. Magistrates may hear minor misdemeanor criminal cases or
civil cases tried without a jury as well as contested criminal cases and civil jury trials
with consent of the parties.
DEPARTMENT OF PRETRIAL AND PROBATION SERVICES
The Department of Pretrial and Probation Services (DOPPS) serves the Franklin
County Municipal Court Judges under the immediate direction of the Court
Administrator. At approximately, one hundred staff, the DOPPS is the largest division
of the Court. The vision of the DOPPS is excellence in rehabilitation through evidence
based practices and the mission is to promote community safety by reducing
recidivism, changing offender behavior, and fostering accountability through effective
use of evidence based practices. The DOPPS follows an evidence-based paradigm
that utilizes validated risk assessment tools and a differentiated, risk-based
supervision construct. The DOPPS works with those under its supervision to achieve
agreed upon goals aimed at reducing risk and gaining compliance with court-ordered
conditions. The assessment-driven, supervision goals and requirements can include
any of the following: residential programming, cognitive-behavioral based
interventions, and behavioral health assessments, educational programs, counseling
for mental health and/or substance abuse needs, and random urinalysis.
This year, in collaboration with the Judges of the Court, the DOPPS committed to
becoming a data-driven department. Because of this commitment to transparency and
to routinely evaluating our outcomes, the Department continues to prepare and share
with stakeholders, a quarterly evidence based practices (EBP) outcomes dashboard
report. This report helps inform our practices and any additional training or resource
needs we may have. It also helps ensure that we are meeting our goals of risk-
reduction and public safety.
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The year 2020 proved to challenge many of our efforts due to the impact of COVID-
19-19 and the need to swiftly adjust practices. Despite the challenges, the
Department continued to provide support to the Judges and those under our
supervision. We learned that many of the adjustments that were made to help
ensure the safety and health of our employees and Department users, proved
beneficial and removed barriers that can impact success. We look forward to
continuing to evaluate these modified approaches and retain practices and process
that move us closer to our goals.
Staff Overview
The DOPPS is proud to have highly trained and professional staff. In 2020, thirty-one
percent (31%) of the probation officers held a Master’s Degree. Twenty-two percent
(22%) of the probation officers held a license in Counseling, Social Work or Chemical
Dependency, thirty-six percent (36%) of the probation officers are State Certified
Trainers for the Supreme Court Judicial College and eighty-five percent (85%) of the
probation officers are certified in one either Thinking for a Change, UC-CC, Equip or
the Duluth Model of Batterer Intervention.
Professional Development
The Department’s Training and Development Project Manager, is a position that is
funded through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Bureau of
Community Sanctions grant. Some of the goals of this function are to assist the
Department in the implementation of and fidelity to its strategic plan, and to assist in
the development of staff. The Department continues to prioritize Continuous Quality
Improvement (CQI) of staff, however, the 2020, CQI process was halted in light of
COVID-19-19 and modified practices.
During 2020, the Department sent an additional ten (10) staff through the University
of Cincinnati’s CBI-CC (Core Curriculum) Facilitator Training, increasing the total
number of trained staff to eleven (11). The Department also has twenty-two (22) staff
training in the Thinking for a Change (T4C) Program. Both T4C the CBI-CC are
designed to provide a thorough intervention that broadly targets all criminogenic
needs. They follow a cognitive-behavioral approach and teach participants strategies
to manage risk factors with an emphasis on skill building activities. All groups were
suspended during 2020 due to COVID-19-19. We look forward to re-instituting the
groups in 2021 and being able to provide a combination of T4C and CBI-CC groups.
All in-person training was also suspended during 2020, however, the opportunities for
virtual training events expanded. Staff completed a total of 2,408.25 hours of
virtual/web-based trainings during 2020. Of which, 1,029.75 of the hours were
designated Changing Offender Behavior hours.
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The Court had been working with StepMobile on the development and implementation
of the Ohio Community Supervision System (OCSS), a web-based, probation case
management system, with plans to implement later in 2020. This effort was expedited
due to COVID-19-19 and the need to support tele-work. Therefore, OCSS was
implemented early in 2020. One of the many benefits of OCSS is the ability to conduct
virtual interviews with defendants. Staff completed a total of 4,023 video appointments
with defendants during 2020.
To help ensure meaningful and skill-based interventions with defendants, the
Department invested in electronic intervention tools and techniques.
In an effort to support defendants who do not have access to WiFi or cellular data
access, the Court applied for and received COVID-19-related grant dollars to purchase
disposable smart phones and data plans to help ensure that all defendants have the
opportunity to participate in virtual reporting. This has proven to be very beneficial.
Training and development goals for 2021 include continued enhancement and utilization
of OCSS to best meet the Department’s needs, booster trainings for officers on use of
the electronic cognitive behavioral interventions, the continuation of its robust
continuous quality improvement process, and re-implementation of in-person strategic
trainings, to include the evidence based, BriefCASE Training, Mental Health First Aid
and Narcan administration training, to ensure staff certifications remain current.
Student Development/Internships
The DOPPS has been committed to providing internship opportunities for several
students. The students and the Department identify objectives and expectations to
strengthen the internship experience and help both the Department and student achieve
a positive and productive partnership in learning, and further develop their professional
skills in the field of community corrections.
In addition, the internship provides an opportunity to link the theoretical concepts that
they have studied in the classroom setting with practical work related experiences. It is
hoped that their experience fully demonstrates how probation/community control is
utilized to promote change and rehabilitation.
The internship orientation process includes an overview of the Court and the
Department and includes: the case assignment process, evidence based practices,
supervision structure, and risk levels. There is also a mid-point review, wrap-up session
upon completion and a final evaluation of the internship by both the intern and
Department supervisor. There were three student placements during 2020. This is a
lower number of placements than usual and can most likely be attributed to the hybrid
schedules of the Court, colleges and universities.
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Administrative Support Services
The DOPPS Support Unit upholds the mission of reducing recidivism by ensuring
individuals placed on probation are assigned an appropriate officer for successful
program completion. Throughout 2020 amidst a global pandemic, this Unit has
maintained business-as-usual and effectively changed processes to promote the
safety and wellbeing of the clients served, as well as the department as a whole. To
maintain social distancing, the Reception window has conducted expedited intakes to
minimize exposure. Clients fill out their own information and are contacted through
their preferred method of communication their next steps of intake within three
business days. All in-custody, holding cell interviews have been temporarily
discontinued in lieu of the absentee intake process. Clients are instructed to call the
next business day, but are also sent a letter about their next steps through USPS to
their last known address. This has caused minimal disruption to the intake process, as
clients are still able to be assessed and assigned as appropriate.
The Unit also set a goal to become certified in the Ohio Risk Assessment System
(ORAS). All team members were able to complete the certification process, and are
now able to move forward with assisting in the completion of the Community
Supervision Tool (CST) in 2021.
With the implementation of OCSS, the Support Unit has been responsible for ensuring
its success. The Unit operates both out of CourtView and OCSS to maintain accurate
records that enables officers to meet the needs of their clients. After the initial transfer
of data from CourtView, 60% of all cases (both active and terminated) have been
edited for accuracy in OCSS by the unit. This effort will remain ongoing throughout the
rest of the implementation of the system, and the Support Unit is equipped for the
challenge.
In the early months of 2021, the Unit has begun diligently updating previous
processes, such as Violation Hearing communications and case modifications. The
ongoing goal for the Support Unit in 2021 is to modernize DOPPS, by digitizing all
available information and eliminating the passing of hard files. This is being
accomplished through the constant monitoring of caseloads in OCSS, as well as
scanning and uploading intake information for ease of use to the officer. By the end of
the year, the implementation of OCSS will be completed, and the Unit will have
standardized all processes associated with the intake of a client, and will be utilizing
the system to its maximum efficiency. This will include: scheduling and completing
virtual intakes, assisting with the virtual Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment
(ODARA) and ORAS assessments as necessary, and the installation and
implementation of the OCSS self-service kiosk.
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Assessment Services and Community Programming
The Department’s intake assessment project began in May, 2018. The goal of this
project is to lessen the amount of time between intake and supervision assignment and
reduce the number of transfers between officers by having complete assessment
information completed prior to case assignment. This project is supported by a variety
of funding sources and is in collaboration with Alvis, Inc.
The Department contracts with Alvis for three assessment specialists, housed within
the DOPPS, whose main function is to conduct risk assessments on defendants, in
order to inform their placement within the evidence based supervision
construct. These contracted staff completed approximately 1,100 assessments in
2020, on cases referred both from intake and other units who required assistance in
this area. The average length of time from intake to assessment was thirty-one (31)
days. That continues to be an improvement from the baseline of seventy-five (75)
days that the DOPPS averaged before implementation of this function.
The impact on staff time, and the direct linkage of defendants to their assigned officers
based upon their assessed risk level has improved dramatically through this process.
In 2020, the assessment specialist’s began completing alcohol and drug (AOD)
screenings and making referrals to the Special Programs Unit for swift referral to the
Department’s Tri-C and Anchor4Me programs. This effort is being made to more swiftly
connect defendants to these valuable programs and develop and expand their function
within the Department. The completion of the AOD screenings also assists the
receiving officer’s ability to refer for further assessment and or programming in a
timelier manner. Due to the pandemic, the assessors began completing assessments
via video to stay in line with social distancing guidelines. This has proved to be
beneficial and has improved the show and assessment completion rate for the
Department.
The DOPPS Special Programs Unit (SPU) is comprised of one Community Resource
Specialist (CRS), one Coordinator, and the Courthouse (CH) Medication Assisted
Treatment (MAT) Program Manager, and Case Manager. The CRS directly supervises
the Department’s Special Programs Coordinator and CH MAT staff. The SPU works in
collaboration with one another to get those in need of behavioral health treatment
linked with the appropriate program and services.
The Community Resource Specialist assists in the management of the Court’s
Suzanne Hopper Act or Form 95 Process that identifies individuals under supervision
with specific mental health diagnoses and convictions and provides notification to law
enforcement (approximately seventy-five (75) forms submitted in 2020). The CRS
position also oversees the Department’s Resource Committee and provides weekly
reports to the Court of available community resources.
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This position along with the Special Programs Coordinator, coordinates placements into
the Department’s residential treatment programs and participates on planning teams for
the Department’s halfway house program (HHRP), day programming response
(Comprehensive Community Care or TRI C), Safe Housing, and the Courthouse MAT
programs. Approximately fifty (50) screenings were completed in 2020 for residential
placement and another thirty- five (35) were referred to Tri-C Intensive Outpatient
Programing.
An essential function of the CRS is maintaining data and outcomes for the Court’s myriad
of community programs. In 2020, this position conducted approximately thirty (30)
behavioral health and risk assessments both in the community and in the jail to help
inform specialized supervision needs and appropriate treatment level of care. In 2020,
the SPU also began outreach to public defenders and judges in effort to help ensure that
violation hearings are scheduled in a timely fashion.
The CRS also serves as the chair and advisor to the Department’s Resource Committee.
One of the strategic goals for 2020 was to work The Carey Group in the creation of a
community provider assessment process which will aid the Department in ensuring that
the agencies where defendants are referred for programming, follow evidence based
practices, and provide quality services. The Resource Committee worked closely with
The Carey Group in 2020 on the development of the process with the goal of
implementing during 2021.
In 2020, the CH MAT Program was met with many COVID-19 related challenges.
Although clinic operations were deeply impacted by a decrease in referrals from the jail
and the Court, the needs of these individuals remained high. Many clients felt unsafe
about returning to the Courthouse for their follow-up Vivitrol injections. Despite these
challenges, the CH MAT Program remained open and initiated enhanced safety protocols
to make sure that everyone felt comfortable and safe. For clients who were ill, who may
have been exposed to COVID-19, or who were uneasy about coming into the
Courthouse, the medical provider was able to reschedule them or call in a limited
supplies of “comfort” meds until their symptoms (illness) had ceased. Many clients were
lost in care as a result of COVID-19.
In 2020, there were 61 screenings completed for MAT at the request of the Court. Of
those 61 screenings, 57 were deemed eligible for MAT services and 47% received their
first Vivitrol injection. Of those participants who received their second injection, 50%
completed the Program (completion is based on receiving three injections or being
successfully linked to another MAT Program). This decrease in numbers of new clients
into the Program is a direct correlation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Due to the increase in over-dose deaths during the first two quarters of 2020, the CH MAT
Program began increasing case management efforts. The Program also incorporated a
community needs assessment. This assessment allows for the assessment of barriers to
recovery and the unique needs of each individual, outside of their MAT/SUD concerns.
Based on the initial results of the community needs assessment, it was learned that
clients needed assistance with housing, food, utilities, mental health, employment, and
transportation. This information was communicated to the assigned probation officer and
CH MAT Program staff assisted in making the appropriate referrals and linkages.
During 2020, Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Program
(COSSAP) BJA grant funding was received to expand the Program. This expanded
Program is called MARCH or Medication Assisted Treatment Assessment Referral Care
and Hope Program.
The goals of the MARCH Program are to:
Expand its partnerships to include additional, on-site service providers
Increase the availability of on-site MAT intervention
Provide immediate, comprehensive and individualized screening, assessment,
and case management services for all Court visitors on a walk-in or scheduled
basis.
Expand a relationship with the Court’s Self-Help center.
o This relationship will also provide assistance with food, housing, and
transportation needs, as well as, Medicaid applications.
Increase case management capabilities and provide a certified peer support
specialist
Pretrial Services
The Court continues to embrace the Pretrial Services performed by the Department. The
Pretrial Services Unit is supported by a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation
and Corrections, Bureau of Community Sanctions. In 2020, the Unit furthered its goals of
providing programming and services in domestic violence cases at the pretrial phase. The
pretrial officers continued in the use of the Ontario Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment
(ODARA) tool, utilizing it as part of the pretrial investigation process. The pretrial unit also
expanded the use of the Healthy Relationships Pretrial Domestic Violence Program, a
unique educational program aimed at providing access to programming and support
during in the pretrial phase. This valuable program was able to continue during 2020
using a virtual format.
To guide growth of the pretrial officer and program functions, the DOPPS had the
opportunity to work with a national consultant to review the program policies and
procedures and provide pretrial specific training. This technical assistance will continue
through 2021.
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The Pretrial Services Unit is staffed by seven (7) bail investigation and pretrial
supervision Officers and one Supervisor. The goals of the Pretrial Services Program
are to: 1) prepare and provide the Court with bail investigation reports that include
validated pretrial risk assessment information and release recommendations on eligible
defendants who are in custody awaiting initial appearance, in order to provide Judges
with the information they need to make informed bail decisions; 2) reduce the overall
length of stay for pretrial detainees; 3) to provide appropriate supervision and
monitoring of defendants who are released by the Court on pretrial supervision to help
ensure that they are engaging in their community-based release plan, making their
Court appearances, and not engaging in new criminal activity. In 2020, the Pretrial
Services Unit completed 1,542 bail investigations and supervised a total of 1,384
pretrial defendants. This was a reduction from 2019 where the unit completed 2,688
bail investigations and supervised 1,902 pretrial defendants and was the direct result of
modifications made due to COVID-19.
In response to COVID-19 precautions, the FCMC reduced its arraignment days and
implemented a video arraignment process. The inability for pretrial officers to access
defendants early in 2020 created significant challenges, however, mid-way through the
year, the jail was able to accommodate virtual interviews with defendant’s in custody for
the pretrial officers. This ability allowed the officers to once again provide the court with
valuable pretrial risk assessment and other related information.
Two pretrial services goals for 2021, are to implement a sequential bail review process
to provide updated assessment and release planning information to Judges for
defendants who remain in custody greater than three days on a financial bond and
develop a delegated release matrix to maximize pre-booking release for low risk and
low-level charged individuals.
Investigation Services
The DOPPS also provides investigation services for the Court. The Investigation Unit is
staffed by four officers and is overseen by one probation officer supervisor. In 2020 the
Investigation Unit was assigned 68 presentence investigations and 1,558 sealing of
record investigations. The decrease in sealing of record applications processed is likely
attributable to the pandemic, however the legislative changes enacted for 2019 have
continued to result in an expanded opportunity for defendants to seal their records. The
Investigation Unit continues to incorporate the Department’s risk assessment tools into
its presentence investigation reports in order to provide the Court with the defendant’s
assessed risk level and appropriate supervision placement, should the Court place the
defendant on community control supervision.
Post Disposition, Differentiated Supervision
The DOPPS supervision construct is staffed by 46 post-disposition, supervision officers
who report to four probation officer supervisors. These evidence-based supervision
responses include: Risk-Based (Low, Low-Moderate, Moderate and Intensive)
Supervision; Domestic Violence Supervision (includes an extremely high risk
supervision and LGBTQ+ specific responses); Sex Offender Supervision;
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Specialized Mental Health Supervision, Specialized Soliciting/Human Trafficking
Supervision, Electronic Monitoring/Home Confinement, Work Release and supervision
of the Court’s specialized docket programs. The Court’s specialized dockets include:
Learning to Identify and Navigate Change (LINC); Military and Veteran Service
(MAVS); Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH); Recovery Court; and Helping
to Achieve Recovery Together (HART). Officers assigned to each of these supervision
functions receive specialized training specifically related to the risk level and needs of
population they oversee.
During 2020, the Department supervised a total of 10,414 post-disposition cases,
including 3,999 new supervision placements. At year’s end, a total of 13,209 cases
remained assigned to, or on warrant status with, the Department. This represents is a
slight reduction from 2019, when the Department supervised a total of 12,605 cases
with 6,295 new placements.
Supervision outcomes for 2020 reveal:
85% of our low risk defendants completed supervision
67% of our low moderate risk defendants completed supervision
52% of our moderate risk defendants completed supervision
37% of our high risk defendants completed supervision
33% of all of our domestic violence unit defendants completed supervision
1% of our low risk defendants were sentenced to jail after a hearing for a technical
violation
5% of our low moderate risk defendants were sentenced to jail after a hearing for a
technical violation
6% of our moderate risk defendants were sentenced to jail after a hearing for a
technical violation
14% of our high risk defendants were sentenced to jail after a hearing for a technical
violation
15% of our domestic violence unit defendants were sentenced to jail after a hearing
for a technical violation
Post Disposition, Specialized Supervision
Domestic Violence Supervision
In 2019, the Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) incorporated the ODARA to better
differentiate defendants by risk level. This tool allowed for the addition of a low and low
moderate risk supervision response. Currently, defendants convicted of a domestic
violence related offense with a current or past intimate partner are separated into four
distinct risk levels: Low, Low Moderate, Moderate or Intensive. Intensive supervision
also encompasses the specialized populations of extremely high risk and LGBTQ+
population (Comprehensive Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment -CAP IT
Program).
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.
In 2020, DVU implemented the use of the ODARA on all cases and began to collect
data regarding the use of the ODARA for the purposes of validating the assessment
tool in Franklin County.
During 2020, the DOPPS continued its development of the Strategic Enforcement
Response Team (SERT), a specialized and intensive supervision
response. Enhancements were made to the program including: the development of
tactics for warrant apprehension; more intentional and comprehensive outreach to
survivors through increased community contacts; and a close working relationship
with the designated, the Department’s designated SERT victim assistant. The
Department has continued to work with the designated batterer intervention program
to incorporate regular case staffing’s. A group reporting process has been
established for defendants in order to increase cohesiveness and professional
alliance. A total of 273 community contacts have been made by the SERT team since
its inception in 2018. COVID-19 dramatically reduced the number of community
contacts; since a staffing change in September 2020, the new officer was able to
conduct 52 community contacts.
The Department continued its work with Dr. Christopher Lowenkamp to locally
validate both the ODARA and the Domestic Violence Risk Need Assessment
(DVRNA) tools. In December of 2020, 900 cases were given for review for purposes
of validation and the results will be used to validate or make necessary modifications
to existing risk thresholds and procedures.
During 2020, there was an increased effort to train staff and community stakeholders
in the DVRNA tool. Two batterer intervention programs (BIP) worked with the DVU
supervisor to train all staff in the use of the DVRNA. Additionally, the DVU supervisor
conducted training sessions for staff certification.
Although the pandemic limited in-person interactions, the DVU supervisor was directly
involved with the following groups and committees: Firearm Technical Assistance
Program (FTAP), Franklin County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, and The
Conference on Crimes Against Women National Planning Board (CCAW).
Due to COVID-19, trends in increased violence, higher lethality, and more arrests for
intimate partner violence were seen globally as well as here in Franklin County.
These issues were largely due to isolation because of stay at home orders, increased
stressors from financial issues related to the virus, and lack of outside support
systems. There were instances of decreased reporting of minor incidents, increased
reporting of more serious, potentially lethal incidents, and more serious violence
overall.
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The Franklin County Domestic Violence Coordinated Community Response (FCDVCCR)
group was formed in an effort to streamline batterer intervention programming during the
implementation process of evidence based programming. This group is comprised of
probation officers, BIP programs, advocates, and other stakeholders.
In early 2020, new goals for the FCDVCCR group were established and smaller work
groups were formed with an eye toward meeting these goals. Those efforts were halted
due to COVID-19, however, plans have been made to reestablish those goals, efforts,
and work groups for 2021.
In 2020, the CAP IT program also saw some modifications. After a staffing change, there
was a review and overhaul of existing processes to better streamline the referral process
and communication between the court and the CAP IT program provider. As of this
writing the current class will graduate in the summer.
Mental Health and Developmental Disability Supervision
The DOPPS has two Mental Health Specialized Caseloads to appropriately respond to
individuals with a mental health and/or developmental disability diagnosis. The purpose is
to ensure that individuals receive the appropriate level and type of supervision to best
attend to their unique needs.
The mental health specialized caseload falls under the intensive supervision structure.
The Mental Health Specialist will conduct or review the applicable assessment(s),
develop a case plan, and refer defendants according to their identified criminogenic and
responsivity needs. A referral will be made to the appropriate behavioral health treatment
program to address the specific needs indicated by the assessment tool(s) and case
plan, as well as, medication and case management services. Regular communication
with partner agencies will verify that defendants are receiving the services, support and
monitoring they need to be successful in reaching the goals identified through the
assessment, and case planning process. In 2020, there were approximately seventy five
(75) cases under supervision.
In an effort to provide the appropriate level of supervision intensity to mental health
defendants who have demonstrated sustained compliance with supervision and mental
health treatment goals, the DOPPS created a specialized Mental Health Step-Down
caseload. This caseload falls under the moderate supervision structure in the DOPPS.
This caseload allows mental health defendants with the highest level of needs to receive
an intensive supervision response. During 2020, fourteen (14) cases were assigned to
this specialized supervision response.
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Human Trafficking/Soliciting
The Department’s Partnership for Advocacy, Care and Treatment (PACT) Program
continues to be an essential supervision and program response for defendants
convicted of soliciting and who are not participating in the CATCH Court. The PACT
Program provides a community response that incorporates specialized and intensive
supervision, along with holistic, comprehensive, and coordinated community
programming, to assist with the success of this population. The PACT Program is a
joint initiative of community partners and provides: individualized and comprehensive
bio-psycho-social assessment; specialized case management; alcohol and drug
treatment; the option of medication assisted treatment; trauma services; mental
health services linkage; and wrap-around services such as, safe housing,
transportation, peer mentors, and GED.
The PACT program continues to pilot and collect data on its use of the Women’s Risk
Need Assessment (WRNA). This gender-responsive risk and needs assessment
scoring tool accounts for women’s risk factors, or criminogenic needs, associated
with recidivism and future misconduct, and assists in the case planning with this
specialized population.
In 2020, the PACT program had a total of twenty four (24) clients enrolled in
treatment. Eight (8) of the participants successfully completed this intensive, two-
year program and four (4) were unsuccessful due to the participants not returning to
treatment.
In 2020, the DOPPS, in collaboration with Alvis, developed a specialized PACT
residential program at its Chillicothe facility. The goal of the program is to provide
customized treatment and case management outside of Franklin County.
The PACT Program applied to present at the 2020 Attorney General’s Human
Trafficking Conference 2020.
Electronic Monitoring
The Electronic Monitoring/Home Confinement (EMHC) Program is a cost effective
sentencing option that permits a defendant to reside in the community while
simultaneously allowing for continuous electronic monitoring of a defendant’s
whereabouts. Judges may impose EMHC as a condition of pretrial release or post-
disposition supervision or as a response to non-compliance/probation violation. The
EMHC Program allows defendants the ability to seek or maintain employment,
participate in approved programming/treatment, and attend to any critical medical
needs or conditions.
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During 2020 the EMHC officers kept track of the location of 206 defendants as they
served 13,346 days on community supervision. Of the 206 defendants, 138 or 67% of
them successfully completed their EMHC condition and 32 or 16% of these successfully
carried over into 2021. Of the 206 defendants placed on EMCH there were 37 or 18%
were terminated unsuccessfully. The 206 defendants placed on EMHC were comprised
of 184 men and 22 women. Of the 184 men on EMCH, 120 or 65% of the men
successfully completed supervision and 24 were still being monitored into 2021. Of the
22 women placed on EMHC, 18 or 82% successfully completed supervision.
The defendants sentenced to an EMHC condition served an average of 65 days of
monitoring. All of the 14 seated General Division Judges of the Franklin County
Municipal Court (FCMC) utilized the services of the EMHC program at some point
during 2020. Defendants placed on EMHC were placed on as both a condition of
pretrial release as well as post disposition sentencing. They were placed on EMHC for
a variety of charges that included but was not limited to: OVI, domestic violence,
resisting arrest, theft, menacing by stalking, violation of protection order, possession of
drugs, and soliciting. During 2020, of the 206 defendants placed on EMCH there were
165 or 80% who were declared indigent by the Court for purposes of EMHC monitoring
payment.
With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating that in-person contact be limited and in an
effort to remove barriers to program eligibility and help ensure that defendants have
adequate access to virtual technology; the DOPPS obtained disposable cell phone and
data plans for those without access.
In 2020 the DOPPS GPS vendor (Securus Technologies) made improvements to their
active GPS ankle bracelet unit. Among the improvements were a longer battery life, the
ability to obtain a stronger signal, and thicker strap connectors that are connected
differently to allow a more secure fit of the unit.
Electronic monitoring quickly became an even more valuable resource during COVID-
19 as Judges looked to find appropriate alternatives to jail/incarceration. It is
anticipated that this trend may continue beyond the pandemic as the potential negative
impact of incarceration is considered.
Work Release
The Work Release Program (WRP) is a jail alternative program that provides residential
services to court-ordered individuals. Judges may impose this community response as
an alternative to a mandatory jail sentence, as a condition of pretrial release or
probation supervision or as a response to non-compliance/probation violations. The
program is designed to help facilitate an individual’s successful reentry into the
community, by providing monitoring, programming, and management of an individual’s
community access.
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Individuals are confined to the stipulations of the WRP except for attending verified
employment and/or court-approved programming. Program participants are randomly
tested for drug and/or alcohol testing. The WRP allows the individual to maintain his/her
employment and provides an opportunity for the participant to pay toward court-ordered
restitution, fines, costs, and child support.
During 2020, the WRP admitted 87 individuals. These 87 participants served a total of
1,970 days in work release in lieu of jail time. Of the 87 defendants, 84 or 97% of them
successfully completed their work release condition. Of the 87 defendants three or .03%
were terminated unsuccessfully. The 87 defendants placed in work release consisted of
64 men and 23 women. Of the 64 men on work release, 61 or 95% successfully
completed this supervision. All of the 23 women successfully completed.
The defendants sentenced to a work release term are assigned to a facility for
supervision and served an average of 23 days. Fourteen (14) of the 15 seated Judges of
the Franklin County Municipal Court utilized the services of the WRP at some point
during 2020. Defendants were placed on work release for a variety of charges that
included but was not limited to: OVI, domestic violence, theft, drug abuse, aggravated
menacing, disorderly conduct, assault, telephone harassment, and driving under
suspension.
During 2020 the WRP collected $35,003.00 from participants during their work release
term. Additionally, the Program saw a savings of $90,476.00 in jail per diem costs during
2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the WRP. The Program experienced two
months without any participants due to job loss, illness, and other employment-related
factors. The effects of COVID-19 has reinforced the importance of employment and the
impact that unemployment has on the community. It also reinforced the program’s
resiliency and positive impact it can have on the community even during a pandemic.
Behavioral Management System
An important component of the Department’s transition to an evidenced based paradigm
is the adoption of a Behavior Management System (BMS). In late 2016, the Court
committed to developing and adopting a BMS policy framework and in 2017, a BMS
workgroup and policy team were created to develop and approve of a policy framework.
The Court commenced a pilot of the BMS in the spring of 2018 and continued it through
2019.
The Department formed an implementation team in 2020, whose charge is to make final
preparations for an effective and successful full launch of the BMS to include all the
judges and the entire Department.
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The primary areas of focus for the Implementation Team are: ensuring that the
stakeholders and staff are fully prepared for full implementation, development of a BMS-
specific quality assurance and continuous quality improvement process, and
development of a data collection processes. Full launch of the BMS is planned for the
third quarter of 2021.
Attention to appropriately utilizing community based responses to violation behavior was
even more important during 2020. During 2020, there was a total of: forty-two (42)
arrests that were conducted within the Department. Thirty-three of 70% of the arrests
were the result of a technical violation and fourteen (14) or 30% were the result of a new
charge or arrest. Eighteen or 55% of the arrests for a technical violation were related to a
judicial order of no consumption.
Community Sanctions Unit
The Community Sanctions Unit (CSU), helps support and manage many critical functions
of the Department. The Unit is staffed with four (4) full time officers and one full time
supervisor. One of the functions of the CSU is to monitor defendants who are not placed
on community control but who are ordered to complete community service hours in lieu
of their fine and court costs or as a condition of a plea agreement. The community
sanctions officer monitors the case for compliance with the required hours. Once the
completion deadline has passed, the officer files a notice with the clerk’s office regarding
the completion or non-completion with the hours. In 2020, there were 372 cases that
were monitored by the CSU for compliance. This number does not include the volume of
cases that were referred to the unit by a probation officer for placement and monitoring of
community service.
In 2020, the CSU was assigned 1,758 new provided no convictions (PNC) cases and
continued to monitor 1,569 PNC cases that were carried over from the previous
year. The CSU monitors PNC cases for new criminal convictions. In 2020, a total of
$273,633 in restitution was ordered in 326 cases, and $232,109 was collected and
disbursed. The remaining cases are those that are still paying, have been revoked, or
are in warrant status. In addition to these functions, the CSU also assists with the
management and supervision of the Department’s low risk (Team Supervision) response,
as well as, oversight of the Court’s non-reporting community sanction response
(NRCS). During 2020, there were 903 new cases assigned to the NRCS caseload for
monitoring of new criminal activity and compliance with Court-ordered conditions. In
2020 there was a total of 1,666 NRCS cases that were monitored.
The volume of cases received by the CSU, with community service hours ordered,
decreased as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The CSU also includes oversight of the Community Cleanup Crew program. The Cleanup
Crew provides an additional sentencing alternative for non-violent offenses and provides
defendants an opportunity to contribute something that is beneficial and constructive to
their local communities and improve the environment.
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In 2020, the Community Clean-up Crew supervised 200 individuals who provided a
combined 3,645.50 hours of work in the communities of Franklin County. The
Community Clean-up Crew removed 55.08 tons of solid waste, 539 bags of trash from
public alleys, and an additional 6.23 tons of trash from hoarder cleanouts with the
Environmental Court. This brings the combined total of 61.31 tons of solid waste
removed from Franklin County. They safely disposed of 136 used needles and recycled
3,234 discarded tires from Columbus and other communities within Franklin County.
A dedicated community service officer supports the program to identify and coordinate
projects and to continue to develop community relationships. The Community Clean-Up
Crew looks to expand the program to offer its services to more community partners,
including: area commissions, block watch groups, and neighborhood pride
organizations. These efforts will allow the program to have regularly occurring clean-ups
in areas throughout the City and County. Other services provided include: waste
removal from City and County owned vacant properties and graffiti clean-ups that helps
to assist the City and County in their efforts to provide clean, safe neighborhoods for their
residents.
Victim Assistance
The Department’s Probation Assisted Victim Empowerment Division (PAVED) program is
partially funded by a grant through the Attorney General’s Office. Because of the
sustained support of this grant, the PAVED Program is staffed with three victim assistants
and one victim assistant supervisor.
The PAVED Unit continues to take a pro-active approach to help ensure that the Court is
in compliance with Marsy’s Law. The PAVED Unit makes every effort to reach out to the
victims in cases where a defendant is eligible for an early release from supervision, to
ensure that victims have the opportunity to provide input into the decision prior to the
case being terminated.
The PAVED staff continue to partner with the EMHC officers to ensure that victims are
notified when program violations occur. In addition to this being good practice, this
response helps the Court remain compliant with Marsy’s Law. This notification protocol is
initiated anytime an individual removes the GPS tracker, enters an exclusion zone, or
allows the GPS tracker’s battery to die, regardless of what time of day the violation
occurs.
The PAVED Unit continues to work closely with the extremely high risk (SERT) Domestic
Violence Unit officer to provide extra support to the victims of domestic violence in these
cases.
PAVED staff routinely utilize the danger assessment and a stalking assessment tools to
help victims of domestic violence and stalking understand the risks they face and to
develop safety plans.
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The PAVED Unit continues to collaborate with the City Attorney’s Office, Domestic
Violence Prosecutors and Victim Advocates to provide a continuity of support for the
victims once the defendant has been placed on probation.
In 2020, PAVED staff made 3,397 contacts with victims of crime, and had over 1,500
new cases assigned to the four PAVED staff members.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and while adjusting to hybrid telework schedule, the
PAVED staff continued to have onsite availability every business day, meeting with
victims in the PAVED lobby for all office/Court contacts that did not occur in the
courtrooms. While much of the work that the victim assistants perform can be done
over the phone or through mailing letters to victims, there are several aspects of the
Victim Advocate’s duties that require face-to-face contact, and cannot be handled
over the phone or through video appointments. These include collecting
documentation of violations of the stay away orders, or other documentation from
individuals who have limited knowledge of how to send pictures, screenshots, video
evidence, or other evidence via electronic means. In addition, victim advocates
cannot notarize any documents/affidavits without meeting with the individual in
person.
The PAVED program experienced a decrease in engagement with victims during
2020. The program participation slowed during the 2
nd
quarter of the year, April –
June, but began seeing an increase again near the end of June. During 2020, there
was in increase in contact related to hearings due to the increase in continuances
due to the pandemic.
The PAVED Unit designates a victim assistant to work specifically with the DVUs CAP
IT Program. This victim assistant maintains a list of resources for the LGBTQ+
population. This victim assistant also works closely with the designated CAP IT
Officer to ensure that the victims of same sex domestic violence cases receive a
specialized response with appropriate and relevant referrals for this population.
The Chief Probation Officer (CPO) is responsible for the overall operation of the
DOPPS and is supported by the Department’s Management Team in facilitation of
these efforts. The CPO is also charged with overseeing the Department’s operating
budget. Careful management and utilization of this budget is essential Department
operations. Especially with the challenges posed by COVID-19, attention to
budgetary constraints was especially important. Probation user fees provide critical
support to many essential DOPPS supervision programs and initiatives. These
services include: staff training, contracted programming for indigent defendants,
urinalysis services, defendant bus passes, grant matches, and supervision-related
equipment. Defendants paid a total of $309,036.06 or an average of $25,753 each
month in Probation User Fees in 2020. This was down from previous years due to
challenges created by COVID-19 and decreased emphasis on financial collections.
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The FCMC DOPPS works hard to leverage its resources, and acquire grant funding to
support its many programs and initiatives whenever possible. In 2020, the DOPPS
maintained, and in some areas expanded, the external funding streams that support its
Pretrial, Victim Assistant, Intake Assessment, Electronic Monitoring, Work Release, and
other community programming partnerships that benefit our clientele. In all, the DOPPS
managed $1,969,391 in grant expenditures in 2020, meeting - or in most cases
exceeding- the goals that were outlined in the proposals. The DOPPS was fortunate to
receive funding specific to assessment and supervision practices during COVID-19, from
the CARES Act and OCJS. The majority of these grants require an annual application
that requires the review and expansion of project goals and objectives to reflect the
ongoing evolution of the Department. The DOPPS enjoys a well-established rapport with
criminal justice partners across the Franklin County executive landscape which
augments these applications and highly collaborative projects.
The Department continues its partnership with Job and Family Services (JFS) for onsite
Benefits Specialist assistance, however, during the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS had to
remove its two onsite Specialists and instead created a direct, remote referral process.
This customized process assists officers in referring individuals for assistance related to
Medicaid, food insecurities, housing needs and child care benefits.
The DOPPS remains committed to: transparency, data collection, analysis and sharing;
and strives to ensure that the tools and resources we utilize are appropriate and valid for
use with the population of Franklin County. To further this goal, the Department has
contracted with a national researcher to locally validate the ODARA and DVRNA
assessment tools and with the American Pretrial, Probation and Parole Association, to
locally validate the Impaired Driving Assessment Tool (IDA). This project will continue
into 2021.
SELF HELP RESOURCE CENTER
The Franklin County Municipal Court Self Help Resource Center assists pro se litigants
in navigating the Court. Established in 2016, the Center's main objectives are to improve
the quality of filings by pro se litigants, increase access to the justice system for
individuals who cannot afford attorneys, and provide a positive point of contact between
the Court and the community. It can assist Visitors with civil issues in Municipal Court but
does not give legal advice. The most common issues addressed at the Center are the
sealing and expungement of criminal records and landlord/tenant disputes.
The Center has continued to grow since moving to the sixth floor of the Municipal Court
in early 2018. Despite only offering online services from March until June, Center Staff
served over 8,641 Visitors in 2020, an increase from the 8,384 Visitors served in 2019.
Currently, the Center is addressing the unique needs of the COVID-19-19 pandemic by
providing services via webchat on its website and providing in-person services at both
the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Municipal Court home office.
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The Center also hired an additional staff attorney and launched a Social Work
Navigator Pilot Project to help individuals facing eviction. To fund this pilot project, the
Center received grant funding from the State Justice Institute and the Columbus Bar
Foundation. Center Staff aim to serve over 11,000 Visitors in 2021 and look forward to
continuing the growth of this valuable Court service.
SERVICE BAILIFFS
Service Bailiffs assist litigants, attorneys, and the Court by delivering court documents
to parties and enforcing both pre-judgment and post-judgment remedies.
Responsibilities include service of complaints, summonses, criminal and civil
subpoenas, garnishments, juror letters, and probation revocation hearing notices.
Writs of replevin are enforced through seizure of property to be returned to the rightful
owners, and writs of execution through levy and sale of personal property for the
purpose of satisfying judgments. These writs are enforced and supervised by the
deputy bailiff officers. Additionally, deputy bailiff officers supervise the set-out of
tenant’s property during the eviction process.
The Service Bailiffs’ Department processed or served in excess of 30,000 legal
documents in 2020 there were 1,429 set-outs scheduled. Of those scheduled, 819 set-
outs were completed and 3,876 set-outs were cancelled at the plaintiff’s request. The
department currently employs 13 full-time individuals consisting of 1 chief, 1 deputy
chief, 10 deputy bailiffs and a deputy bailiff/administrative assistant.
SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION DEPARTMENT
The Small Claims Division processes Small Claims cases for the Municipal Court
and assists individuals and businesses with court forms. Small Claims are claims for
money damages up to $6,000. The Small Claims Court and its processes are
governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1925. The Division provides information,
forms, instructions, and videos for small claims cases and collections. The Division
maintains a user-friendly website that contains all of the information required to initiate
and complete a small claims case (smallclaims.fcmcclerk.com).
The Division has six full-time employees who support the Court and its magistrates.
Division staff initiate new cases, assign magistrates, process notices and summonses,
and answer questions about Small Claims Court and other court services. Division
staff managed 2,651 small claims cases in 2020.
The Dispute Resolution Department (Department) coordinates and facilitates
mediations for the General and Small Claims Divisions. The Division also maintains
an online negotiation and mediation platform to facilitate early case resolution. Parties
may participate in mediation either in-person, by telephone, or online.
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The Department managed a total of 2,508 mediations in 2020, and increase of 2%
from 2019. These cases were made up of 1,367 General Division/Small Claims
Cases, 173 Rent Escrow Cases, 137 Pre-Lawsuit Self Referrals, and 831 Pre-
Filing/Online/Check and Account Resolution Self-Referrals.
The Small Claims Division and Dispute Resolution Department was featured in the
National Center for State Court’s 2020 Trends publication for its online dispute resolution
program and positive impact on case dispositions and court user perceptions of fairness
and justice.
SPECIALIZED DOCKET DIVISION
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
The vision of the Specialized Docket Department is to enhance public safety, rebuild
lives, and reduce recidivism through the use of restorative justice programs. We
champion innovation, prioritize diversity, strive to contribute to the national conversation,
and work to advance the mission of Specialized Dockets and restorative justice wherever
possible.
The mission of the Specialized Docket Department is to return contributing members to
society by implementing best and promising restorative practices. We provide quality
programming to high risk/high need participants to link them with individualized
treatment, reduce barriers to success, hold participants accountable for the impact of
their behaviors, and encourage independent recovery. We value community and
stakeholder investment and involve them through education, engagement, and support.
OVERVIEW
The Specialized Docket Department serves the Judges of the Franklin County Municipal
Court and is under the direct supervision of the Court Administrator. The specialized
docket department manager is responsible for the overall operation, supervision, and
certification, and is charged with ensuring funding and overseeing the operating
budget. The manager works closely with the Specialized Docket Judge’s Committee and
meets bi-annually with the Specialized Docket Advisory Board to set the goals and
direction of the department. The department is staffed by eleven coordinators who
maintain the day to day operations of the department.
Restorative justice is the philosophical foundation of the department. In the context of the
municipal court, restorative justice is a process by which offenders take responsibility for
their actions, understand the harm they caused, redeem themselves through the process
of recovery, become contributing members of their families and the community, increase
public safety by ceasing criminal behavior, and reduce the emotional and financial burden
on society. This approach considers the impact of the crime on the victim and the
community and gives the person who committed the crime the opportunity to repair the
damage of their offenses through their actions and meaningful activity.
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PROGRAMS
Specialized Dockets are certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio to provide intensive
programs, up to two years in duration, to high risk, high need defendants. Admission to a
specialized docket requires a referral by a defense attorney, prosecutor, or judge. The
defendant must be assessed for eligibility, volunteer, and plead guilty to an active charge
to enter the program. Some cases are eligible for sealing and expungement upon
successful completion of the program.
The Court established Learning to Identify and Navigate Change (L.I.N.C.) in 2004,
adding Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) and Recovery Court in 2009,
Helping Achieve Recovery Together (h.a.r.t.) in 2010, and Military and Veterans Services
(MAVS) in 2012. The department also provides two educational programs that are
sentencing options: CATCH 101 for victims of human trafficking and Drug Education
Program (DEP) for felony drug charges reduced to a misdemeanor. In addition, the
department provides administrative coordination for all forensic competency cases.
The specialized dockets, often called treatment courts, are a judicial response based on
a treatment team approach. Treatment court is a voluntary program of up to two years.
Once a defendant has plead into the docket, the process becomes non-adversarial. The
participant is placed on probation for two years which provides the compliance
mechanism.
The treatment team consists of the presiding judge, who has final decision-making
authority, the coordinators, the designated probation officer, public defender, prosecutor,
and representatives of various treatment providers. The treatment teams meet weekly to
review new admissions and to review participants’ individualized goals and progress. The
goal is to build a strong support network, to help participants engage in community
treatment, and to find a path to independent recovery. Rewards are frequently used;
successes celebrated, and as needed, sanctions that are up to and include limited jail,
can be imposed. Participants self-determine their progress through program phases as
they demonstrate their ability to internalize concepts and apply coping skills in their daily
lives.
The Judge presides over weekly status review hearings which provide participant check-
ins. A strong sense of community develops among the participants and the Judge
initiates a progress check with each participant to ensure they are receiving
individualized care and complying with the agreed upon treatment plan. Due
consideration is given to a participants capacity, barriers, and life events as they progress
through the phases of the program at a self-determined pace that may last up to two
years. The emphasis is placed on engagement, open discussion, increasing recovery
competency, compliance, building trust, and self-efficacy. The Judge and the treatment
team ensure that the participant is supported through their recovery process and that
expectations are appropriate to the participants’ stage of change.
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SPECIALIZED DOCKET CERTIFICATION
As a home rule state, the Supreme Court of Ohio requires all specialized dockets to
become fully certified. There are two stages to the certification process. First,
submission of documentation, including the administrative order, the program description,
the participation agreement, and the participant handbook. Secondly, Supreme Court
staff complete a site visit to observe the treatment team meeting, the Status Review
Hearing, and to provide feedback to the presiding judge and the staff. All certification
standards and current practice guidelines must be met or exceeded to receive full
certification. The final certification is valid for three years.
EDUATION PROGRAMS
CATCH 101
CATCH 101 is a 3-day educational program designed as an introduction to human
trafficking. It is held once a month. The program includes education, community
resources, and an observation of CATCH’s status review hearing. The goal is to offer the
program to people who have an active charge in the court and when there is concern that
the person may have been trafficked.
The education component focuses on human trafficking, addictive illness, trauma
bonding, and recovery opportunities. Representatives from community partners such as
Salvation Army, Amethyst, and law enforcement will present information on current
community resources available to defendants including case management and hotline
numbers.
Judges and attorneys refer defendants who are not interested in the two year CATCH
commitment to CATCH 101. CATCH staff track attendance and report progress back to
the referral source.
DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAM (DEP)
DEP is an educational program that provides expedited court arraignments and
prosecution, as well as a reduction in jail time. Participants who have 4th and 5th degree
felony drug possession charges are identified by the County Prosecutor's Office and
referred to the program. The felony charges are reduced to a first degree misdemeanor
in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea. The majority of referrals are made by the
County Prosecutor; however, admission is also open to defendants charged with
misdemeanors. Participation in DEP is ordered at the time of sentencing.
In late 2017, the DEP program was streamlined to reduce barriers to successful
completion. Currently, a participant must complete one court facilitated education session
and six verified recovery support meetings within a thirty day period. The previous
program required three afternoon classes and ten meetings.
The current three-hour educational session is held once a month. The content is practical
and intended to motivate change.
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The curriculum focuses on the disease model of substance use, the recovery model of
healing, peer lived experience, and a review of community resources. The revisions to
the program have increased participant completion rates significantly.
STAFF
The Department is staffed by twelve program coordinators who are highly educated
behavioral health specialists with expertise in mental health, substance use disorders,
and criminal justice.
The emphasis on behavioral health staff supports in-house clinical services such as
diagnostic assessments that establish clinical eligibility, prognosis, individualized
treatment, and level of care recommendations which makes treatment referral more
efficient. Staff build strong treatment team rapport, coordinate seamlessly with
treatment providers, enhance participant engagement, support strength based
intervention, develop self-efficacy in participants, provide trauma informed
interventions, generate individualized program response, encourage stronger use of
rewards to support progress, facilitate group discussion and strong sense of
community within the dockets, and incorporate stages of change in the program
structure. This approach has led to increased participant retention and increased
successful completion rates.
BEST PRACTICES
The Specialized Docket Department is committed to the development and
implementation of best and promising practices. The department generates
programming to fill gaps in service, participates in research and pilot projects, and
leads innovation that contributes to the development of the field.
FACILITY
The 6
th
floor of the Municipal Court Building continues to house the Specialized Docket
Department and provide flexible space for status review hearings, education classes,
community meetings, and a medically assisted treatment clinic.
The Self Help Resource Center is also located on the 6
th
floor and this co-location has
enhanced specialized docket alumni access to the self-preparation of civil documents
including applications for sealing and expungement.
In 2020, the Specialized Docket Department served a total of 665 people. The
Specialized Dockets and educational programs served 192 participants. There were
247 forensic psychological referrals in 2020. Of the participants who were discharged
between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, the recidivism rate for those in the
Specialized Dockets was 29%, which is well below the national average for high
risk/high need defendants.
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There is a strong correlation between addiction and criminal activity; studies
indicate that a practicing addict is likely to commit an estimated 63 crimes per
year. For individuals who receive treatment, this decreases to just six crimes per
year.
[1]
Specialized Dockets are a major part of this solution, particularly in
providing the supportive structure that participants need to remain engaged in
treatment. In a 2014 national survey of drug courts, programs reported average
graduation rates of 50-75%, which is more than twice the rate of successful
probation completion rates for individuals with severe substance use disorder.
[2]
“At least nine meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and multisite studies conducted
by leading scientific organizations have concluded that adult drug courts
significantly reduce criminal recidivism—typically measured by re-arrest rates over
at least two years—by an average of approximately 8% to 14%. The best adult
drug courts were determined to reduce recidivism by 35% to 80%.”
[3]
In 2020, the
average % across all five dockets of participants that did not receive new
charges was 29%. The national average recidivism rate for drug offenders
is 45%.
[4]
________________________
[1] Fulkerson, Andrew. (2012). Drug treatment court versus probation: An
examination of comparative recidivism rates.. The Southwest Journal of Criminal
Justice. 8. 46-61.
[2] Huddleston, C. W., Marlowe, D. B., & Casebolt, R. (2016). Painting the current
picture: A national report card on drug courts and other problem solving court
programs in the United States (Vol. 2, No. 1). Alexandria, VA: National Drug Court
Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.ndci.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/05/Painting-the-Current-Picture-2016.pdf
[3] Huddleston, C. W., Marlowe, D. B., & Casebolt, R. (2016). Painting the current
picture: A national report card on drug courts and other problem solving court
programs in the United States (Vol. 2, No. 1). Alexandria, VA: National Drug Court
Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.ndci.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/05/Painting-the-Current-Picture-2016.pdf
[4] Durose, Matthew R., Alexia D. Cooper, and Howard N. Snyder, Recidivism of
Prisoners Released in 30 States in 2005: Patterns from 2005 to 2010, Bureau of
Justice Statistics Special Report, April 2014, NCJ 244205.
