Ohio Supreme Court

Description:

The Ohio Supreme Court is the highest court in Ohio. All seven Justices hear each case. A decision is rendered by a majority of them.

Most of the Supreme Court’s cases are appeals from the twelve district courts of appeals. The Court may grant a defendant leave to appeal a felony case from the courts of appeals. Also, the Supreme Court may direct a court of appeals to “certify its record” to the Supreme Court in any civil or misdemeanor case that the Court finds to be “of public or great general interest”.

The Supreme Court will review decisions in several specific types of cases. These include: cases that present an issue of constitutional law; cases in which the opinions of two different courts of appeals on the same issue are in conflict; cases in which the death penalty has been imposed; and decisions of certain administrative agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Tax Appeals.

Cases seeking extraordinary writs may be filed in the Supreme Court directly without having to go to a lower court. These unusual cases are those in which someone seeks a writ of habeas corpus (alleging unlawful imprisonment), a writ of mandamus (ordering a public official to perform a required act), a writ of procedendo (compelling a lower court to proceed to judgment), a writ of prohibition (ordering a lower court not to engage in unlawful action) or a writ of quo warranto (accusing a person or corporation of usurping, misuse or abuse of public office or corporate office or franchise).

The Ohio Supreme Court has the exclusive authority to regulate the practice of law in Ohio and to supervise all state courts. The Court also has authority to prescribe rules of practice and procedure for all Ohio courts.

Qualifications of Candidates for Ohio Supreme Court Justice

To qualify as a candidate for election to the Supreme Court, a person must be an attorney admitted to practice in Ohio with at least six years of experience in the practice of law.

Court’s Website:
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us