RULE 25.       JUDGE

I.        Administrative Judge.

A.    Election. The Judges of The Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch shall select an Administrative Judge at the November Judges' meeting under the terms and conditions as set as set forth in Sup. R. 4 (B). The candidates for Administrative Judge shall have completed two years as a Judge in this Division before assuming the office. Prior to the election, any Judge(s) who has/have indicated their interest in becoming Administrative Judge shall also indicate the term for which they are willing to serve. The Administrative Judge may be elected for a term of one (1) or three (3) years, and may be re-elected for consecutive terms of either one (1) or three (3) years. The election for Administrative Judge shall be by secret ballot. Election requires that the Administrative Judge receive a majority vote of the sitting judges.

B.     Notice. The Administrative Judge shall notify the Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of the Judge’s designation or election as the Administrative Judge by January 15th of each year of their term.  

C.     Powers and Responsibilities.

(1)    The Administrative Judge shall have such powers and duties as set forth in Sup. R. 4.01.

(2)    The Administrative Judge shall administer the oath of office to all newly appointed Magistrates pursuant to Sup. R. 19.

(3)    The Administrative Judge shall determine days when the weather or other causes require the Court to be closed.

(4)    Pursuant to Sup. R. 4.03, the Administrative Judge shall receive a docket reduction of 15%, unless a greater, continuing reduction is agreed upon by a majority of the sitting Judges of the Division. 

(5)    The Administrative Judge may issue an order authorizing the Court to operate at a temporary location pursuant to R.C. 2301.04.

II.     Lead Juvenile Judge

A.    Election. The Judges of The Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch shall select a Lead Juvenile Judge at the November Judges' meeting. Prior to the election, any Judge(s) who has/have indicated their interest in becoming Lead Juvenile Judge shall also indicate the term for which they are willing to serve. The Lead Juvenile Judge may be elected for a term of one (1) or three (3) years, and may be re-elected for consecutive terms of either one (1) or three (3) years. The election for the Lead Juvenile Judge shall be by secret ballot. Election requires that the Lead Juvenile Judge receive a majority vote of the sitting judges.

B.     The Lead Juvenile Judge, in conjunction with the Administrative Judge, shall work with the Juvenile Court and the Court’s juvenile justice partners to institute Court policy and procedures related to the juvenile docket.

III.  Duty Judge

A.    The Administrative Judge shall appoint one judge each week based upon a set rotation who shall be known as a "Duty Judge."

B.     In addition to a regular docket, the "Duty Judge" shall be responsible for civil protection orders, bond hearings, other unclassified business of the Court, and shall act for any other Judge who is not available.

IV.  Recusal of Sitting Judge.

A.      When necessary or proper a judge may recuse himself or herself from a particular case. In those circumstances, that judge shall inform the Administrative Judge in writing of such disqualification and, upon approval of the Administrative Judge, the Assignment Commissioner shall cause the matter to be randomly assigned to another sitting Judge. (Sup. R. 36.019(B)) 

B.      Should a matter arise where all judges of the Division determine that it is necessary or proper to recuse themselves, the Administrative Judge shall cause the matter to be reassigned to a visiting judge or make such other arrangements for the disposition of the matter as is appropriate. (Sup. R. 36.019(B))

C.      Any party to a case may file a motion to recuse the judge. The judge assigned to the case will review the motion and rule on its merits. If the judge finds recusal is necessary or proper, the same process will be followed as set forth in subsection A. Any decision regarding a motion to recuse the judge will not prohibit a party from following the Supreme Court of Ohio’s procedure to disqualify a judge.

(Amended, eff 1/1/00; 12/28/18; 11/1/20; 12/9/24)