Summit County, Ohio: Judge Amy Corrigall Jones, Administrative Judge of the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division is pleased to announce the Court has been selected by the Ohio Supreme Court as one of only 12 such courts in Ohio to participate in a program aimed at determining if mediation is a fitting resolution for certain civil stalking cases.

Judge Jones said the court was selected by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Dispute Resolution to participate in its Civil Stalking Protection Order Mediation pilot program. The pilot program will determine if these cases are better suited for mediation rather than being processed through traditional means. Common pleas courts report that many of the menacing disputes occur between coworkers or neighbors. Cases involving domestic violence or sexually oriented offenses are not eligible for mediation.

Recently announced by the Ohio Supreme Court, the program in 12 selected county courts will also be used to establish standards for all other courts throughout Ohio. Jones applied for and was awarded the program because “this Court strives to be a model court not only in Ohio, but nationwide. Partnering with our Supreme Court colleagues to participate in this important pilot project will allow us to guide the development of programming that will serve the citizens of Ohio well.”