Summit County Court of Common Pleas- General Division

Last week, Judge Kathryn Michael's Domestic Violence Intervention Court's team members, community partners, and participants gathered to celebrate graduations, phase elevations and major steps toward sobriety! Congratulations to each of these hard working, dedicated individuals who now have the opportunity to make even a greater impact in their families and respective communities. #overcomingobstacles #BreakingBarriersMakingWavesHealingLives

Judge Joy Malek Oldfield's Turning Point Program was once again turning heads in the community. On yesterday, the program held its monthly plenary session at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Get this, Judge Oldfield, program participants, community partners and the Turning Point team showed up and prepared a whopping 6,221 meals for neighbors in need! Thank you to everyone who participated. Our community is better because of you! Check out these cool pics from Program Manager Jillian Zetts. #HavingFun_GettingStuffDone #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

REMINDER: The GENERAL DIVISION of our Court will be closed this coming Friday, October 4th for MANDATORY Staff Development. Probate, Domestic Relations and Clerk of Courts will remain operational. #please share

Yesterday, our Director of Offender Services Kerri Defibaugh and her Adult Probation Department staff held a Black Tie Brown Bag Luncheon, Open House style. Kerri and her management team were dressed to the nines as they led Court staff on a tour of their department and graciously discussed their specialty programs and services. Refreshments were served at various stations posted throughout the department. Thank you Kerri and Adult Probation staff for taking time out of your busy schedules to promote awareness of your services and for helping staff connect to the Court's culture in Adult Probation. #communitycontrolmatters #employeerelationsmatter

It was standing room only Tuesday morning as eight participants graduated from Judge Joy Malek Oldfield's Turning Point Program. Presiding Judge Susan Baker Ross was the keynote speaker and encouraged participants to stay sober, continue striving for success and positively impacting their communities. Following the ceremony, community partners and participants, as well as their families and friends joined Judge Oldfield and her Turning Point Team for a delicious brunch. What a Day! Thank you to Turning Point's Program Manager Jillian Zetts for capturing this BIG moment with pics! #TurningPoint_TurningHeads #recoveryworkswhenweworkit #bigcongratulations

Yesterday Executive Director Kemp Boyd and his Love Akron team held their 13th Annual Awards Ceremony at the John S. Knight Center. They did a phenomenal job! Congratulations to all of the Award recipients, which included students from Akron's East Community Learning Center. Thank you to Presiding Judge Susan Baker Ross and Judge Jennifer D. Towell for attending.

The Judges of Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division have announced an Art Contest with the goal of celebrating the importance of jury duty. Local high school students in grades 9th through 12th are being asked to create a drawing, painting or mixed-media that can be framed (8"x10" up to 20"x24") and hung in the Court's jury room. Cash prizes of $500 (1st place), $350 (2nd place) and $150 (3rd place) will be awarded. Deadline for submission is October 4th, followed by judging the week of October 7th and a reception announcing the winners on October 15th. Dates may be extended depending on public response. This contest is part of a larger initiative in partnership with the Akron Bar Association and America 250 to promote awareness of jury duty and the American system of justice. For more information, please see the attached flier. #artworkchallenge #PleaseShare

On Friday, our Specialty Courts hosted an Informational Seminar and offered FREE CLE's. The event was held in the Ceremonial Courtroom and was filled to capacity with attorneys and court staff eagerly waiting to hear information related to the General Division's SIX specialty courts, including Domestic Violence Intervention Court (DVIC), Hope Mental Health, Turning Point, Re-Entry, SCORR and VALOR Courts. Thank you to Presiding Judge Susan Baker Ross and her Valor Court team for doing such an outstanding job coordinating this event, and also to Judge Tammy O'Brien and Judge Joy Malek Oldfield for making cameo appearances in support of their respective staff and the event. Check out these cool pics!

Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division will be CLOSED on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4TH to allow staff development to occur. This closure will NOT impact Probate, Domestic Relations or the Summit County Clerk of Courts. For more info, please see the press release below.

In honor of NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH, Judge Joy Malek Oldfield’s Turning Point Program hosted its SECOND annual Community Resource Fest. This year 40 vendors gathered to provide much needed resources to Turning Point participants and other members of our community. Those who visited all 40 vendors were entered into a raffle to receive a prize. National Recovery Month began in 1989 and is a national observance held every September to promote and support evidence-based treatment recovery practices. Turning Point is a Specialty Court certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to hear cases involving non-violent offenders who are associated with drug/alcohol abuse. The program also aims to increase public awareness of mental health and addiction recovery while transforming lives and strengthening communities. Please join us in not only celebrating Turning Point participants, but also those you know who are fighting the good fight of recovery! #recoveryworkswhenyouworkit #turningpointisturningheadsinthecommunity