Ohio R. Superi. Ct. 36.014

As amended through July 25, 2024

Rule 36.014 - Assignment to Individual Judge or Particular Session

(A)Cases eligible for assignment

In each multi-judge municipal or county court or division, cases may be assigned to an individual judge or to a particular session of court.

The following subject categories shall be disposed of by particular session:

(1) Civil cases in which a motion for default judgment is made;

(2) Criminal cases in which a plea of guilty or no contest is entered;

(3) Initial appearance in criminal cases;

(4) Preliminary hearings in criminal cases;

(5) Criminal cases in which an immediate trial is conducted upon initial appearance;

(6) Small claims cases;

(7) Forcible entry and detainer cases in which the right to trial by jury is waived or not demanded.

(B)Apportionment of assignments

(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this rule, the administrative judge shall equally apportion particular session assignments among all judges. A judge shall not be assigned to a particular session of court for more than two consecutive weeks.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this rule shall not apply to cases involving an allegation that a judge or staff member of a court, a staff member of the office of the clerk of a court, or any relative of such individuals has committed a traffic or misdemeanor violation within the court's jurisdiction. Such cases shall be initially assigned to the administrative judge to determine if the case shall be reassigned to one of the judges of the court by random lot, assigned to a visiting judge for disposition, or, with the agreement of the parties, retained and disposed of by the administrative judge.

Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 36.014

Amended September 26, 2017; effective 1/1/2018.

Assignment system

In multi-judge municipal and county courts, Sup.R. 36.014 establishes a dual system for the assignment of cases. Under this system, certain types of cases are processed in a court session, designated particular session, presided over by a judge or magistrate for a specified period of time. Other types of cases are assigned to an individual judge pursuant to the individual assignment system.

Particular session; assignment

The types of cases designated in division (C)(1) Sup.R. 36.014 for disposition in particular sessions of court are high volume cases that may be processed by a judge or magistrate at a single session. The rule does not preclude the processing of types of cases, other than those listed, that are susceptible to disposition in particular sessions.

Cases that may not be processed by particular session are civil cases where an answer is filed or a motion, other than one for default judgment, is filed and criminal cases in which a plea of not guilty is entered. These cases are to be assigned pursuant to the individual assignment system at the time the answer, motion, or plea is filed or made.

Duration of assignment to particular session

Assignments to particular session are to be equally divided among the judges of the court and are to be limited to two-week periods. The two-week limitation accommodates the individual assignment system, and allows each judge adequate time to work on the cases individually assigned to the judge. Judges should not be assigned to a particular session or a series of particular sessions for more than two consecutive weeks.