Jan. 12, 2009
Justices Stratton, O’Connor Begin New Terms on Supreme Court
Before hundreds of family, friends and colleagues, Justices Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and Maureen O’Connor were sworn in today to new six-year terms on the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer administered their oaths of office at a joint afternoon public ceremony at the Ohio Judicial Center. Justice Stratton was elected to her third term on the Supreme Court in November, while Justice O’Connor was elected to her second term.
Each of the Justices spent a portion of their remarks reflecting on how fortunate they are to serve on the Supreme Court.
Justice Stratton said she will us her third term on the court to continue to work on community corrections, homelessness and mental illness issues. “I’m privileged to work in a position that can have a tremendous impact on Ohioans’ lives,” she said. “A judge has the unique ability to be a convener to call a meeting to which everyone will come. A judge can encourage parties to set aside turf battles and to partner together to solve complex and difficult issues.”
Justice Stratton was appointed to the Supreme Court on March 7, 1996, to fill out the remainder of the term of former Justice Craig Wright. She was first elected to the Supreme Court in November 1996. One of her passions is the elimination of the “revolving door” phenomenon in the criminal justice system for people afflicted with mental illness. Justice Stratton created Ohio’s Advisory Committee on Mental Illness and the Courts nearly six years ago out of the observation that more jails and prisons are housing individuals with mental illness, and a desire to collaborate to find better ways to serve them and the taxpayers.
Justice O’Connor reflected on the challenges and rewards of being a Justice. “There are no easy cases heard before the Supreme Court,” Justice O’Connor said. “It is the challenge that the cases present that keeps this job so very interesting. Serving on the Court has been as rewarding as it is challenging. I thoroughly enjoy the work, the colleagues and the staff at the Court. I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to serve in such a meaningful capacity.”
Justice O’Connor was first elected to the Supreme Court in November 2002. In addition to her extensive legal background, Justice O’Connor served as lieutenant governor and acted as the governor’s chief adviser on criminal justice issues. She was director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and served as chair of Ohio’s Security Task Force and the State Building Security Review Committee. During her time on the Supreme Court she has devoted herself to educational initiatives for Ohio’s students and to matters of security by chairing the Advisory Committee on Court Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Joining Justices Stratton and O’Connor for the ceremony were the other members of the Supreme Court: Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer and Justices Paul E. Pfeifer, Terrence O’Donnell, Judith Ann Lanzinger and Robert R. Cupp. State leaders from the executive and legislative branches were seated on the dais, including: Attorney General Richard Cordray, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce and Senate President Bill Harris. In addition, the mock trial team from Lucasville’s Valley High School attended the ceremony.
View archived video of the swearing-in ceremony.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.
Requires the free Adobe Flash Player.View system requirements, download instructions, and download the free Adobe Flash Player.