The Court began its use of Visiting Judges in 1972.  Since that time, with the increase in pending caseload, combined with the pressure of time restrictions for criminal cases, the use of Visiting Judges is expected to continue.

Visiting Judges are assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court pursuant to Sections 1901.10, 2101.37, 2101.39, 2151.07, and 2701.03, Ohio Revised Code, for a specific term of court, a specific period of time, or a specific case(s).  Cases are referred to the Visiting Judge Program for trial disposition.

Specifically:

• Lengthy Trials - a specific referral based on a determination during formal pretrial that the case will be unusually time consuming; 

• Special Cases - a specific assignment based on the peculiar nature of the case or the disqualification for just cause of the entire Common Pleas Bench from a case. 

• Calendar Maintenance – a referral to maintain the trial calendar of an Assigned Judge during his/her absence or illness; 

• Docket Relief – a referral to accommodate circumstances whereby an Assigned Local Judge is in progress with one trial which in turn conflicts with another previously scheduled trial.