April 15, 2010
Case Details Announced for Supreme Court Huron County Session
The Supreme Court of Ohio today provided detailed background information on the four cases it will hear in Huron County on Wednesday, April 21, as part of its semiannual Off-Site Court program.
Oral arguments will be held at 9 a.m. at the Huron County Courthouse, 2 E. Main St., Norwalk before the Justices of the Supreme Court, who include Paul E. Pfeifer, Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Maureen O’Connor, Terrence O’Donnell, Judith Ann Lanzinger and Robert R. Cupp.
The cases include:
- Gildersleeve v. State, Case No. 2009-1086 (Cuyahoga County). The Gildersleeve case concerns whether the “Adam Walsh Act” requires a new hearing to exempt from community notification sex offenders sentenced before Jan. 1, 2008.
- Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. v. Givaudan Flavors Corporation, Case No. 2009-1321 (Cuyahoga County). The Givaudan case concerns whether the exception to attorney-client privilege applies in lawsuits between the law firm and a former client.
- Cordray v. The International Preparatory School, Case No. 2009-1418 (Cuyahoga County). The International Preparatory School case concerns whether a treasurer of a charter school is considered a “public official” subject to strict liability for misspent state funds.
- In re Adoption of J.A.S. and J.N.S., Case Nos. 2009-1695 and 2009-1980 (Lorain County). The adoption case concerns whether the consent of natural parents is required before a party with legal custody of a child may initiate an adoption.
Access court documents related to all four cases.
Initiated in 1987, the Off-Site Court program has gained national recognition as a model program for education about the judiciary. The program enhances students’ understanding of the legal system by providing them an opportunity to attend and observe the proceedings of the Supreme Court in person and to interact with Justices, attorneys and Court staff.
Students from Bellevue, Monroeville, Norwalk, Norwalk Catholic and Willard high schools and the EHOVE Career Center will participate. The students and their teachers recently received case summaries of the specific cases to be argued. Local attorneys have partnered with educators at each participating school to explain Ohio’s judicial system and review case materials.
Students from each participating school will attend one of the oral arguments. After their assigned case has been argued, each group will meet with the case attorneys for a debriefing and discussion of the legal issues in the argument they just heard.
Ben Paul, Monroeville American government teacher, said his senior class students view Off-Site Court as an incredible and unique opportunity. “They’re excited about it. I know I’m excited about it,” he said. “The state Supreme Court works a lot differently than the courts the kids are used to seeing.”
Huron County Common Pleas Court Judge James W. Conway, who extended a formal invitation for the Supreme Court to hold Off-Site Court in Norwalk, said he was thrilled to serve as a host for the program.
“We feel truly blessed to be able to present this wonderful educational opportunity to the students in Huron County,” he said. “The program will provide valuable insight into our Ohio Courts and we hope it will inspire the students to consider professions within the justice system.”
The Huron County session will mark the 59th time the Supreme Court has heard oral arguments outside Columbus during the past 23 years.
Access a video with background information about the program.
Supreme Court contacts: Chris Davey or Bret Crow, 614.387.9250.
Huron County contacts: Court Administrator Linda Stower or Judge Conway, 419.668.6162.
Media interested in obtaining the case summaries prepared by the Office of Public Information should call 614.387.9250.