Dec. 16, 2009
Fifth District Judge Hears Supreme Court Case
Judge Patricia A. Delaney of the Fifth District Court of Appeals served as a visiting judge today on the Supreme Court of Ohio and heard oral arguments in a Summit County case.
Judge Delaney was selected by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to sit in place of Justice Maureen O’Connor,who recused herself from State v. Prade (Case No. 2009-0605). The Prade case involves post-conviction DNA testing.
According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can select any of the 69 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.
“We are pleased to have Judge Delaney join us today,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “Her participation provides the parties in the case with a court of seven justices despite the recusal of Justice O’Connor.”
Judge Delaney, who has offices in Delaware and Stark counties, began her term on the appeals court on Feb. 11, 2007 after her election in 2006. Before joining the bench, Judge Delaney served as Columbus assistant city attorney for nine years, practicing in complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts. She also has served as an assistant attorney general, staff attorney for the Franklin County Common Pleas Court and in private practice with Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease. Judge Delaney earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Toledo.
“I wish to publically thank Chief Justice Moyer for this opportunity to serve all Ohioans as a visiting justice,” said Judge Delaney. “I am both honored and excited to serve on the Supreme Court for the first time in my judicial career.”
The Fifth District Court of Appeals serves 15 counties in the central and eastern half of Ohio. It hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto.
Archived video of this case and every case argued before the Supreme Court since March 2004 is available in the Supreme Court video archive.
For a high resolution, publication-quality photo of Judge Delaney, please visit: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/PIO/news/2009/delaney_highres.zip.
Media Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.