Coronavirus Resources

Latest Resources

First Amended Revised Order to Limit and/or Prohibit Mass Gatherings in the State of Ohio, with Exceptions (3/3/20)

Addenda to Director's Second Amended Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club, and Professional Sports signed 9/25/20 and Director's Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Entertainment Venues signed 8/25/20 (3/3/20)

Letter to Ohio Judges Sharing Gov. DeWine's Announcement that Probation Officers are Included in the COVID-19 Phase 1C Distribution Group (3/2/21)

Addendum to Director's Third Amended Order that Reopens Restaurants, Bars, Banquet and Catering Facilities, and Services to Dine-in Service, with Exceptions (2/19/21)

Media Statement from CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, on Extending the Eviction Moratorium (2/3/21)

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LAW LIBRARY CLOSED TO PUBLIC

The Library is still offering reference assistance via Ask-A-Librarian, or you can email the reference staff directly at libref@sc.ohio.gov.

Image of the Ohio Department of Health logo

ODH recommends that courts should:

  • Emphasize respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees at all times;
  • Encourage employees with symptoms of acute respiratory illness to stay home and to notify a supervisor if the employee or an employee’s family member has been tested for or exposed to COVID-19;
  • Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other areas where they are likely to be seen;
  • Maintain adequate supplies of soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace and in places where the general public is found;
  • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, doorknobs, workstations, courtrooms, and office equipment;
  • Plan for the cancelling of large in-person meetings, training, and non-essential travel; and
  • Implement plans to continue essential court functions with limited resources should you operate with higher than usual absenteeism or if critical supply chains are interrupted.

Questions about COVID-19? Visit coronavirus.ohio.gov or call 1.833.4ASKODH (1.833.427.5634) for answers.

Ohio Courts will remain open to fulfill their constitutional and statutory responsibilities. However, as the limitations on social interactions in public spaces continue to expand to address the spread of COVID-19, nearly all courts have modified their procedures. Court operations have been modified, and many courts have significantly limited in-person interactions. Click the button below to review local court orders affecting your jurisdiction, and be sure to check the court's website for additional instructions before heading to the courthouse.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CHIEF JUSTICE MAUREEN O'CONNOR

Date Subject
3/2/21 Letter to Ohio Judges Sharing Gov. DeWine's Announcement that Probation Officers are Included in the COVID-19 Phase 1C Distribution Group
Related: COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet Ohio Phase 1C COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
12/17/20 Letter to Ohio Judges Regarding Tolling of Case-Time Standards and Waiver of Physical Presence for GAL Education
Attachment: FAQ In re Tolling of Case-Time Standards under Sup.R. 39
12/10/20 Letter to Gov. Mike DeWine Urging State Court Judges and Court Staff Inclusion in Phase 1 COVID Vaccine Distribution
12/10/20 Additional COVID Guidance
12/2/20 COVID-19 Resources for Local Courts
10/28/20 COVID-19 Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Spike
10/28/20 Speedy Trial Requirements
Attachment: Ohio Attorney General Opinion No. 2020-002
9/28/20 Ohio Virtual Courtroom Directory
Attachment: Virtual Public Access to Ohio Court Proceedings
9/4/20 CDC Order on Evictions
Attachment: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Halts Evictions Until 2021
7/13/20 Tolling Legislation and Court Order
6/19/20 Foreclosure and Civil Justice Report and Recommendations
Attachment: Foreclosure & Civil Justice Report and Recommendations
5/7/20 Updated Guidance for the Courts of Ohio
Attachment: Responsible RestartOhio Court Access
4/28/20 COVID-19 Pandemic Updated Guidance for the Courts of Ohio
3/27/20 Supreme Court of Ohio Tolling Order
Attachment: In re Tolling of Time Requirements Imposed by Rules Promulgated by the Supreme Court and Use of Technology
3/26/20 COVID-19 Legislation
3/20/20 Pandemic Update and Materials
Attachment: Supreme Court of Ohio Guidance to Local Courts COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
3/13/20 Critical Event Preparation and Response for Local Courts
Attachment: Supreme Court of Ohio Critical Event Preparation and Response for Local Courts

SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS

Date Order Summary
12/16/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-6726 In re Tolling of Case-Time Standards under Sup.R. 39
12/16/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-6725 In re Waiver of Physical Presence Requirement for Guardian-Ad-Litem Education Courses and Encouraging Remote Participation in Judicial-College-Education Courses
11/19/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-5354 In re Administration of Remote February 23 and 24, 2021 Ohio Bar Examination and Courtesy Seating
10/16/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-4946 In re Temporary Waiver of the Self-Study Cap for Judges, Magistrates, and Attorneys in the 2020/2021 Continuing-Legal Education ("ClE") Compliance Period
8/5/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3948 In re Temporary Waiver of Gov.Bar R. X(6)(A) and Appendix I, Reg. 406(A) to Allow Attorneys to Recieve Continuing-Legal Education ("CLE") Credit for Undergoing Training and Serving as Precinct Election Officials Related to General Election Day 2020
7/31/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3861 In re Use of Technology and Remote Administration of Oaths and Affirmations
7/22/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3800 In re Postponement of In-Person September 9-10, 2020 Ohio Bar Examination and Administration of Remote October 5-6, 2020 Bar Examination; Deadlines; Practice Pending Admission
7/22/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3799 In re Temporary Waiver of Gov.Bar R. X(6)(A) and Appendix I, Reg. 406(A) to Allow Attorneys to Receive Continuing-Legal-Education ("CLE") Credit for Undergoing Training and Serving as Precinct Election Officials Related to General Election Day 2020 (Tuesday, Nov. 3)
6/8/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3226 In re Notary Requirements for Domestic-Relations, Juvenile, General, and Probate Forms
6/3/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3155 In re Remote Administration of Oaths and Affirmations
5/21/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-3048 In re Waiver of the Self-Study Cap for Judges, Magistrates, and Attorneys in the 2019/2020 Compliance Period, and Waiver of Application Fees for COVID-19 Related Continuing Legal Education Programs
5/15/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-2975 Order Nunc Pro Tunc: In re Tolling of Time Requirements Imposed by Rules Promulgated by the Supreme Court and Use of Technology
5/14/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-2954 In re July 2020 Bar Examination and Expansion of Practice Pending Admission during the Admission to the Practice of Law Process
4/14/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-1461 In re Application of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
3/27/20 Administrative Actions, 2020-Ohio-1166 In re Tolling of Time Requirements Imposed by Rules Promulgated by the Supreme Court and Use of Technology

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS AFFECTING ATTORNEYS

General Resources for Attorneys and Litigants

COURT NEWS OHIO NEWS ARTICLES

Date Article
2/10/21 Judges to View $100 Million in Ohio Rent Relief
2/4/21 Judge Predicts a Remote Tech Future
2/3/21 COVID Shift Central in Conduct Board's 2020 Review
1/22/21 Tech Grant 'Truly Helped Court through Pandemic'
12/17/20 Supreme Court Issues Two New COVID-Related Orders
12/10/20 Chief Justice Seeks Vaccines for Ohio Court Staffs
12/2/20

Legal Aid Groups Get Social for a Day
11/25/20

Handle with CARES: Court Uses Federal Funds to Expand Community Support
11/24/20

Chief Justice Receives Trial Advocates’ Award for Pandemic Leadership
11/23/20 Supreme Court Counters COVID with Innovation for Its Biggest Event
11/18/20 Different Circumstances, Same Feelings for Upcoming National Adoption Day
11/13/20 Pro Bono Attorneys Honored for Work in Extraordinary Circumstances
11/10/20 Survey Probes Tech Highs and Lows in Ohio Courts
11/2/20 Domestic Violence Courts Contend with Social Distancing Challenges
10/30/20 Further Jury Trial Tolling Deemed ‘Case-by-Case’
10/30/20 Chief Justice Cautions Judges On Covid Spike and In-Person Hearings
10/22/20 Appellate Courts Adjust, Seek Improved Practices amid COVID-19 and Beyond
10/15/20 Human Trafficking Victims Persevere through Pandemic, Celebrate Survival
10/7/20 New Magistrates Learn the Ropes Virtually
10/6/20 Court and Nearly 1,000 Applicants Overcome Unprecedented Obstacles for Bar Exam
9/11/20 State of Judiciary: Perseverance, Progression Paramount in Age of COVID-19, Social Reform
9/11/20 Chief Justice Creates Remote Technology Task Force
9/10/20 Virtual Public Access Path Created for Local Courts
9/4/20 ‘Drive-In’ Production a Marquee Event for Drug Court
9/4/20 Court Issues Information on CDC’s Eviction Prohibition
8/26/20 ‘App-ropriate’ Time, Tool for Probation Innovation
8/21/20 Community Partner to Host Court’s Jury Trials Offsite
8/7/20 Chief Justice Discusses Attorney Poll Workers on CBS
8/7/20 Court Adjustments Provide Shelter from Pandemic Storm
7/31/20 Remote Appearances and Oaths Extended
7/22/20 Bar Exam Postponed One Month Due to Coronavirus
7/22/20 Supreme Court Offers Eviction Guidance in Pandemic
7/8/20 ‘Cam Do’ Attitude Guides Appellate Courts' Virtual Sessions
7/6/20 Virtual Reality: Judicial College Conducts Conferences via Video
7/1/20 'Life-Changing' Grants Help Courts in Present and Post-Pandemic
6/29/20 Supreme Court Foreclosure Guide Touts Mediation, Tech
6/25/20 Drug Court Embraces In-Person Graduation… at a Distance
6/19/20 Legal Aid Leads Ohioans through Difficult Times
6/17/20 Mental Health Court, Participants Resilient during Pandemic
6/12/20 Probate-Juvenile Court Ends Backlog Despite Virus
6/11/20 Old Space, New Place for Jury Trials Due to COVID-19
6/9/20 ‘Un-Conventional’ Center to Resolve Traffic Cases
6/3/20 Chief Justice Allows Oaths by Audio, Video
6/3/20 Supreme Court Justices See Tech Grants in Action
5/29/20 Courts’ Adjustments Critical for Foster Youth during COVID-19
5/21/20 Wood County Common Pleas Judge Brings Courthouse Tours to Students
5/19/20 Chief Justice’s Tech Awards to Courts Top $6 Million
5/15/20 Pandemic Pivot Expands Dispute Resolution Offerings
5/14/20 Judicial College Holds First Remote Orientation; Chief Justice Commends Pandemic Work
5/13/20 Court Postpones Ohio Bar Exam
5/12/20 “E-Adoptions” Granted: Supreme Court Funds Help Families Grow
5/8/20 Special Occasions: Teen Shares Drug Court Graduation, Birthday Virtually
5/6/20 Courts' Coronavirus Acumen Grows with Weekly Webinars
5/5/20 Ohio Bar Admission Ceremony Goes Virtual
5/5/20 Simple Solution: Court Clears Up Warrants, Fines through Email
5/1/20 Chief Justice’s Program Funds $6 million in Technology Grants For Local Courts
4/27/20 Court Holds Oral Arguments Remotely This Week Due to Coronavirus
4/27/20 Love Letters: Court Collecting Cards for Senior Citizens
4/24/20 Court Suspends Wage Garnishment to Counter COVID-19 Strain
4/20/20 Legal Aid Community Concerned about COVID-19 Consequences
4/17/20 Cyber Celebration: Drug Court Holds First Virtual Graduation
4/14/20 Chief Justice Issues Tolling Guidance for Supreme Court Matters
4/13/20 Drug Court Stays Connected Despite Social Distancing
4/10/20 Court’s Communication, Swift Action Keeps Pace with Pandemic
4/7/20 Chief Justice Provides Guidance for Mayor’s Courts
3/31/20 Ohio Supreme Court to Hold Oral Arguments Remotely Due to Coronavirus
3/27/20 Chief Justice ‘Tolls’ Time Requirements to Aid Courts in Crisis
3/27/20 Judicial College Adjusts Programming Due to Coronavirus
3/23/20 Chief Justice Guides Local Courts Amid the Coronavirus Crisis
3/20/20 Courts Remain Vital Amid Coronavirus Crisis
3/19/20 Chief Justice O’Connor Addresses Virus Issues; Expands Court Tech Grants to Fight Crisis
3/18/20 Chief Justice O’Connor to Discuss Court Operations at News Conference on the Coronavirus Crisis
3/16/20 Ohio Judicial Conference Cancels Annual Court Technology Meeting
3/14/20 Chief Justice O’Connor Issues Coronavirus Guidance for Local Courts
3/12/20 Feinberg Delivers Mediation Message despite Conference Postponement
3/10/20 Today’s Dispute Resolution Conference Postponed Due to Virus Situation

GUBERNATORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND OHIO DEPT. OF HEALTH ORDERS

Date Order Summary
3/2/21 Dept. of Health Order First Amended Revised Order to Limit and/or Prohibit Mass Gatherings in the State of Ohio, with Exceptions
3/2/21 Dept. of Health Order Addenda to Director's Second Amended Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club, and Professional Sports signed 9/25/20 and Director's Order that Provides Mandatory Requirements for Entertainment Venues signed 8/25/20
2/11/21 Dept. of Health Order Addendum to Director's Third Amended Order that Reopens Restaurants, Bars, Banquet and Catering Facilities and Services to Dine-in Service, with Exceptions
1/27/21 Dept. of Health Order Director's Fourth Amended Order that All Persons Stay At Home During Specified Hours Unless Engaged in Work or Essential Activity
1/22/21 Dept. of Health Order Director's Third Amended Order that All Persons Stay At Home During Specified Hours Unless Engaged in Work or Essential Activity
12/30/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Second Amended Order that All Persons Stay At Home During Specified Hours Unless Engaged in Work or Essential Activity
12/10/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Amended Order that All Persons Stay At Home During Specified Hours Unless Engaged in Work or Essential Activity
11/19/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Stay At Home Tonight Order
11/16/20 Dept. of Health Order Revised Order to Limit and/or Prohibit Mass Gatherings in the State of Ohio, With Exceptions
8/31/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Second Amended Order for Non-Congregate Sheltering to be Utilized Throughout Ohio
7/23/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Order for Facial Covering Throughout the State of Ohio
7/17/20 Dept. of Health Order Addendum to Director's Order for Facial Coverings in Counties in Level 3 Public Health Advisory
7/10/20 Dept. of Health Order Addendum to Director's Order for Facial Coverings in Counties in Level 3 Public Health Advisory
7/8/20 Dept. of Health Order Mandates face coverings in public in all counties that are designated as a Red Alert Level 3 Public Health Emergency or a Purple Alert Level 4 Public Health Emergency
7/7/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Second Order to Extend the Expiration Date of Various Orders
6/30/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Order to Extend the Expiration Date of Various Orders
5/29/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Updated and Revised Order for Business Guidance and Social Distancing
5/20/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Order that Rescinds and Modifies Portions of the Stay Safe Ohio Order
5/20/20 Dept. of Health Order Urgent Health Advisory - Ohioans Protecting Ohioans
5/1/20 Dept. of Health Order Third stay-at-home-order
5/1/20 Dept. of Health Order Director's Order that Reopens Businesses, with Exceptions, and Continues a Stay Healthy and Safe at Home Order
4/2/20 Dept. of Health Order Second stay-at-home order
4/1/20 Exec. Order 2020-08D Requests commercial landlords and lenders suspend or delay commercial evictions and foreclosures
3/31/20 Dept. of Health Order Order for non-congregate sheltering to be utilized throughout Ohio
3/22/20 Dept. of Health Order First stay-at-home order
3/17/20 Dept. of Health Order Limits and prohibits mass gatherings of 50 persons and closes venues in the state
3/15/20 Dept. of Health Order Limits access to Ohio jails and detention facilities
3/14/20 Dept. of Health Order Limits or prohibits gatherings of 100 persons
3/14/20 Exec. Order 2020-01D Declares the Coronavirus State of Emergency

STATEWIDE COURT RESOURCES

In addition to the resources below, the National Center for State Courts maintains a website with many useful resources and tools for local courts.

Jury Trials

General Resources

Judicial & Administrative Orders

Preparing for a Public Health Emergency

Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)

Specialized Dockets Resources

Dispute Resolution

Domestic Relations Courts

Juvenile Courts

Probate Courts

Mayor's Courts

Ohio Judicial College and National Education

Funding Opportunities

Domestic Violence

VIRTUAL HEARINGS

EVICTIONS AND FORECLOSURES

INTERPRETERS

STATEWIDE RESOURCES

Sign Templates

Ohio Department of Education

Ohio Department of Health

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

Ohio Department of Youth Services

Ohio Public Defender

NATIONAL RESOURCES

National Center for State Courts

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Interstate Commission for Adult Offenders

Justice Management Institute

National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

World Health Organization

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