Thinking of International Cooperation

Just this week, a judge and nine lawyers from Afghanistan were able to watch oral arguments in four cases heard by the Ohio Supreme Court in the Thomas J. Moyer Judicial Center. Afterward, the group spent time with Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor discussing the differences between the U.S. and Afghan court systems.

Both the Ohio Judicial College and National Judicial College have sponsored programs that allow judges from the United States to periodically receive judges and attorneys from other countries and sponsor them in training. Judges from Ukraine, Russia, Libya, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Serbia have toured the nation’s court system, including here in Ohio and have marveled at our Supreme Court building. 

Visits have varied and have included more than judges. For example, members of the China International Economic Trade and Arbitration Commission learned about dispute resolution during a visit to Ohio in 2007. A 2009 Korean delegation studied the administration and use of jury trials. The Serbian delegation in 2012 learned about asset forfeiture, and Franklin County judges presented a program on commercial dockets to a Turkmenistan group. 

Twice in 1995, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Russia and Ukraine after the breakup of the Soviet Union to teach programs designed to introduce the U.S. legal system and encourage judicial independence. Many students were fascinated to hear that people believed in the rule of law and that American judges had no armies to enforce their opinions. They were surprised that we didn’t have to call party bosses to decide how to rule in a particular case. They were also amazed that someone could actually sue the government. 

So many times we take our system of law for granted. During this primary season, when politics seems to expose the rawer nerves of democracy, it’s not a bad idea to remember that when we are viewed from other places, we appear to be very fortunate and that the sharing of ideas benefits all of us.

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Transportation Grants Now Available to Visit Ohio Supreme Court

Are you an educator looking for a fun, hands-on approach to teach students about civic education? Look no further than the Visitor Education Center (VEC) located in the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

Even if you think it is too expensive to travel, or not in your school’s budget this year, you may be surprised. The Ohio Supreme Court’s Civic Education Section is accepting online applications for transportation grants of up to $440 to help schools offset costs to visit the VEC.

 

Online applications from teachers or administrators will be accepted from October 17 through November 7. The grants will be used for visiting in January through June 2015. The grants, paid for by the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Foundation, are for schools with students in the fourth through twelfth grades.

All Ohio educators are eligible to apply for a grant, which will be awarded to schools with the highest percentage of students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program as reported by the Ohio Department of Education.

For more information, please email the VEC at courttours@sc.ohio.gov or call 614.387.9223.

Justice Robert M. Duncan: Legal Trailblazer



Portrait of the late Ohio Supreme Court
Justice Robert M. Duncan

Occasionally we are able to celebrate someone who has made a tremendous difference in the lives of many. Justice Robert M. Duncan was such a man. On October 10, in an official session of the Supreme Court of Ohio at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, the late justice’s family presented to the court his life-like portrait by Toledo artist Leslie Adams.  

The dedication ceremony was very personal and inspiring and can be seen here in our video archive. Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor noted that Justice Duncan was a man of many “firsts.” He was the first African American to serve on the Ohio Supreme Court, the first to win a seat in a statewide Ohio election and the first to be appointed to the federal bench in Ohio. He presided over the case that, in a legal first, ordered the desegregation of Columbus schools. He was a true legal pioneer, blazing a trail for others.

The speakers at the portrait dedication noted Justice Duncan’s illustrious public service career, his generosity, and his love of life. And his family spoke of him with moving devotion.  

Although he ended his judicial career in 1985, Justice Duncan continued to contribute to the legal profession and his community until his death in November of last year. Through his service on the bench and in the community, Justice Duncan was a model for all who aspire to public service. We will be reminded of him by his portrait, which will hang in the Moyer Judicial Center.

Comparing Notes with a Judge from China

A few days ago Judge Caiyan Yan from China visited the Ohio Supreme Court. Judge Yan is a member of the Higher People’s Court in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province approximately 915 miles southwest of Beijing.

Judge Yan observed three oral arguments at the Thomas J. Moyer Judicial Center on February 5. Two days later, I welcomed her in my chambers for an informal conversation about the similarities and differences in our judicial systems. She had many questions about what she observed here at the Supreme Court of Ohio and the other courts she had visited throughout her stay in the United States.

 



We talked for about an hour through the help of an interpreter. Both of us had questions for the other about what it was like to serve as a judge in our country.

Judge Yan has served on the Higher People’s Court since 2005, after she received her master’s degree in law from Wuhan University. Her primary judicial role is to review administrative law and procedural matters for the court.

Judge Yan was very interested in discussing dispute resolution because she oversees the resolution of disputes between bureaucracies. She said that in China, officials encourage judges to use mediation and other similar means to resolve civil disputes. I expressed my view: Mediation is successful when both parties leave the table equally unhappy with an agreement because that means they each had to compromise on strongly held positions.

Judge Yan also was interested in hearing about cases when public figures were involved. I stressed that officials here in the states do not receive special consideration: judges use the same rules for litigants whether they are rich or poor. We strive for equal justice under the law.

I enjoyed spending time with Judge Yan, having the opportunity to exchange ideas. Perhaps we will have the chance to meet again.  She, her husband, and their 8-year-old daughter will return to China at the end of the month.

Memories of a Class Visit

A teacher from Cleveland’s New Tech East High School who visited the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center with her students on Tuesday put together a photo essay of their field trip.

It shows the great time that one class had, and what you might expect when you tour the Visitor Education Center here at the Supreme Court.

The students from New Tech East also visited the Ohio Statehouse during their class trip to the capital city.

Watch the photo essay by clicking this link:
http://animoto.com/play/dQONNL8ywkiyrCKRHB1CyQ.

Ask Justice Judy

Starting this week, every student who tours the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center and the Supreme Court of Ohio will receive a bookmark as a small token of our appreciation.

The bookmarks will be mailed to their teachers. Each bookmark contains two web addresses. One provides a link to my blog where students have a chance to send me a question. Students just have to click on the box that says “Ask Justice Judy” at the top right of this page. The questions can be about the judicial system or something they might be curious about after seeing the Visitor Education Center. I’ll answer a select question every week via video on my blog. This way, the students can learn more about the courts, and I can learn what interests them.

The second link – icivics.org - gives students free access to civics education games. A great lesson plan helps them understand the basics of how government works and these games can reinforce those important lessons.

We can’t wait to see you on your visit to the Moyer Judicial Center.

Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center

As of December 2, the building that houses the Supreme Court of Ohio has a new name.

The Ohio Judicial Center will now be called the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center in honor of our late Chief Justice Moyer.

The second longest serving chief justice in Ohio history, and the longest serving state court chief justice in the nation at the time of his untimely death on April 2, 2010, Chief Justice Moyer served the court for just shy of 24 years. He is known for starting the rehabilitation of the 1930s Ohio Departments building that became the Ohio Judicial Center in 2004 and for his significant contributions to civility and public service and his dedication to the rule of law.

Almost 400 members of the judiciary and guests honored the late chief justice on Dec. 2 during the rededication ceremony. As part of the event, Chief Justice Moyer’s official court portrait was hung in the grand concourse where it will welcome all visitors to the home of the Supreme Court of Ohio.