LOGAN COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT

ANNUAL REPORT

**  The original report was submitted to the Logan County Commissioners and is being placed on the court’s website for the public’s information.

            Find attached several graphs showing a four-year summary of cases terminated in this Court.  In addition, we have three other graphs showing a break down between criminal, all other civil, and foreclosures.  The numbers are taken off the monthly reports to the Ohio Supreme Court, which are then combined for a year-end report.  While terminating a large number of cases, the docket remains current with a few cases pending beyond the guidelines.

            If you wish to have copies of the annual reports the Court submits to the Supreme Court, please contact Mrs. Egbert at 592-2926.  While criminal cases and foreclosures have their own category on the Supreme Court report, we have combined all other categories into “all other civil” being professional tort, produce liability, other torts, workers compensation, administrative appeals, complex litigation and other civils.  My staff is to be complimented in keeping up with the large volume of paper work associated with the foreclosure cases.  Magistrate Amy Billiar hears a variety of cases including stalking civil protection orders which numbered one hundred twenty cases this past year.

            Two other groups of professionals who greatly assist the Court are the Court mediators and the Adult Parole Authority.  Four local attorneys have received training in mediation which coupled with years of experience in practice, make them effective mediators.  They are well regarded by the numerous attorneys who utilize their services.

            The Adult Parole Authority under contract with this county serves as the Court’s Probation Department.  Currently six state parole officers operate out of the county’s facility at 111 South Madriver.  They supervise a variety of offenders including parolees, and post release control defendants under the jurisdiction of the Parole Board and several categories of defendants on community control under the jurisdiction of the court.  Those on community control are ordered to pay fines, reimburse the county for attorney fees and pay the victims restitution.  In 2006, $36,779.61 was paid in fines and reimbursement of attorney fees and $18,625.18 was collected as restitution.

            The Court has discussed with the Board of Commissioners the need to update the recording systems which provide back up to the court stenographer.  Many courts are now utilizing video recording systems to create a record of the proceedings.

            Mrs. Tuttle and I will make an appointment in the near future to discuss other needed improvements to the courthouse; I would gladly answer any questions concerning this year-end report.