Court News

Pro Bono Collaborative Schedules May Session

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:48:53 -0400

The Court's next Pro Bono Collaborative of 2026 will be held on Friday, May 8.

The Pro Bono Program provides help in civil matters to defendants who are facing criminal charges in the Court. Many of the clients are currently on one of the Court's specialty dockets. Attorneys volunteer their time to help with matters such as housing, child custody, and finances. Registration is required by emailing Jessica Wilton at jwilton@cuyahogacounty.gov or calling 216-443-8875.

The Pro Bono Program got its start when Judge Joan Synenberg noticed that clients in the Recovery Court needed legal help with legal issues beyond their criminal charges. The Court hired a coordinator for the program through a grant from the Nord Family Foundation.

Dozens of clients and volunteer attorneys had a chance to sit down and work through issues they may be facing.

The program received the Ohio State Bar Association's 2019 Innovative Court Programs and Practices Award. The next Pro Bono Collaborative session will be held on Friday, August 25, and registration is required ahead of time.

Recovery Court Graduation 3-26-26

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:29:16 -0400

Recovery Court graduation was held on Thursday, March 26, in courtroom 15-D.

Judge Joan Synenberg honored three clients who completed the program. Family and friends joined in person and by Zoom.

Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio, and Recovery Court focuses on those with dual diagnoses of addiction and trauma. Recovery Court is the first of its kind in Ohio and has also been certified to assist those who have been victims of human trafficking.

The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and is headed by the specialized docket judge.

Recovery Court is one of four dockets operating under the Drug Court umbrella in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Congratulations to the graduates!

11 Graduate Veterans Treatment Court

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:41:08 -0400

Eleven veterans successfully finished the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program on Thursday, March 26, and were awarded certificates of completion.

VTC Judge Andrew Santoli personally congratulated each graduate and presented them with a commemorative challenge coin and certificate. The ceremony was held in the history atrium of the Old Courthouse on Lakeside Avenue, and Judge Santoli also thanked two peer mentors who are retiring from the program.

Approved by the Bench in 2015, the mission of the VTC is to rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system. The program involves a treatment team comprised of the Court, the Veterans Administration, community treatment providers, the Cuyahoga County Veterans Service Commission, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Public Defender.

Six People Graduate MAT Drug Court

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:41:23 -0500

Six people graduated from the Medical Assisted Treatment Drug Court under Judge Hollie L. Gallagher on Friday, March 6

MAT Drug Court uses medication to help clients with a moderate to severe opioid use disorder and are moderate to high risk to reoffend based on the testing.

MAT is one of four dockets operating under the Drug Court umbrella in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Congratulations to the graduates!

HOPE Court Winter Graduation

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:49:35 -0500

On Wednesday, February 25, five clients graduated from the HOPE Court docket presided over by Judge Kevin J. Kelley.

HOPE Court is one of the General Division’s four Drug Court dockets. It was created to provide additional opportunity for those who are at high risk of re-arrest, have longer criminal histories and struggle with moderate to severe substance use disorders. Judge Kelley was appointed to the docket in January 2025.

“It’s our assumption that everyone on this docket will complete it,” Judge Kelley told the crowd at the graduation ceremony in his courtroom. “I hope those who are still in the program will see these success stories today and know they have this to look forward to in their future,”

HOPE Court follows National Adult Drug Court Best Practices by providing “holistic approach that goes beyond simply treating substance use disorders.” Together, with a multidisciplinary team, HOPE Court provides treatment, accountability and resources to reduce the risk of being re-arrested in the future and return a healthy citizen back to the community.

For some, completing HOPE Court means the case against them will be dismissed leaving them without a felony conviction. HOPE Court is one of four specialty Drug Court dockets in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Judge John P. O'Donnell To Serve Second Commercial Docket Term

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:30:04 -0500

Judge John P. O’Donnell has been selected to serve another three-year term on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court’s Commercial Docket.

At the end of a three-year term, a blind draw is conducted of the Court’s General Division Judges who express interest in being on the Commercial Docket. During the November 2025 Judges’ Meeting, Judge O’Donnell was approved by a vote of the Judges.

The four Judges on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Commercial Docket hear cases involving business-to-business disputes, including liquidations, trade secret disputes, non-compete contracts and shareholder disagreements. The docket is designed to resolve such cases more quickly, while establishing consistence and expertise among the docket’s judges.

The Cuyahoga County Commercial Docket also includes Judge Cassandra Collier-Williams, Judge Peter Corrigan, and Judge John J. Russo.

The Commercial Docket Program is available to Ohio counties with either six or more General Division judges, or populations exceeding 300,000. Establishing a Commercial Docket is up to each individual court.

Judge Jeffrey P. Saffold Appointed To MHDD Court

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:25:15 -0500

Judge Jeffrey P. Saffold is the latest Judge to preside over a docket in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (MHDD) Court. Judge Saffold was appointed by Administrative and Presiding Judge Michael P. Shaughnessy, who he also succeeds on the docket.

Judge Saffold was elected in November 2022 to serve a six-year term. He received his bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University and his law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 1995.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to this position,” says Judge Saffold. “The MHDD court provides structured oversight for individuals whose legal issues are closely connected to mental health challenges. We can help them to address the root causes of their behavior rather than simply imposing punishment. “

The MHDD Court was established in 2003 as a response to the increasing number of defendants with serious mental illnesses entering the criminal justice system. The MHDD Court is funded by the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and supported by federal and local resources through the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board and the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD). Judge Saffold will oversee a specific docket within the MHDD Court to address defendants with severe mental illness and substance use disorders utilizing the drug court treatment model.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and the MHDD judges are committed to managing defendants by effectively utilizing scarce resources that can improve long-term success in treatment and reduce recidivism. Further, the Court is committed to identifying additional resources that will continue to enhance the program.

The MHDD Court includes Chairperson Judge Shannon M. Gallagher, Judge Emily Hagan, Judge Timothy P. McCormick, and Judge Jennifer O’Donnell.

Judge Sheehan Looks Back On Six Years As AJ/PJ

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 07:53:33 -0500

Judge Brendan J. Sheehan served three, two-year term as the Court's Administrative and Presiding Judge.

A Cleveland-area native, Judge Sheehan graduated from Baldwin Wallace University and received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1994. He earned a Master's in Judicial Studies from the University of Reno, Nevada, in 2013.

Judge Sheehan has worked in numerous positions in the Justice Center, starting as a scheduler while attending law school. He also served as a bailiff to Judges Donald Nugent and Peggy Foley Jones, and clerked in the Northern Ohio Federal Court. After some time in private practice, he joined Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, overseeing the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was elected to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and started on the Bench in 2008.

After only a few months as A.J., Judge Sheehan had to steer the Court through the COVID-19 pandemic. Ours was one of the first Courts in the nation to suspend trials, but the Court never closed.

In this interview with the Court's Public Information Officer, Darren Toms, Judge Sheehan looks back at his six years of accomplishments as the Administrative and Presiding Judge.

Judge Michael P. Shaughnessy Becomes Administrative and Presiding Judge

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 07:30:47 -0500

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael P. Shaughnessy has been elected by his colleagues to be the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Judge Shaughnessy was selected during the regular monthly meeting of the Court’s General Division Judges and the Administrative Judges of the other three divisions (Juvenile, Domestic Relations, Probate). He begins his two-year term January 1, taking over for Judge Brendan J. Sheehan who did not seek re-election after six years as Administrative Judge.

The Administrative Judge is responsible for overseeing Court operations, appointing committees, presiding over the General Division’s docket, and speaking about Court policy. As Presiding Judge, he represents the courts on matters that impact all divisions of the Common Pleas Court.

“It has been my honor to serve on the Court of Common Pleas General Division since 2017,” stated Judge Shaughnessy. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Judges across the various Courts. It is our goal and responsibility to ensure that every individual’s rights are protected, and justice is fairly administered to all.”

Judge Shaughnessy received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (now Cleveland State University College of Law) and is a graduate of Cleveland State University.

Prior to taking the Bench, Judge Shaughnessy focused his practice on criminal defense. He represented countless individuals at the local, state, and federal levels. For over a decade, he also served as the municipal prosecutor for the City of South Euclid. Judge Shaughnessy, and his family, have had a storied history with the Justice Center. From his days as a child watching his father, Thomas, practice criminal defense to his employment as a probation officer and bailiff for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, he has a unique and deep understanding and appreciation for the history and operations of the Court. Judge Shaughnessy has also overseen one of the Court's five Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities dockets.

“I want to thank Judge Sheehan for his leadership over the past six years, especially his steady hand and ability to maintain the Court’s critical operations during the COVID pandemic. I am fortunate to have not only Judge Sheehan, but former Administrative Judges, John J. Russo and Nancy A. Fuerst, who continue to serve on the Court, as colleagues with incredible leadership skills and insight. It is my goal to move the Court forward and hopefully be worthy to stand with our former Administrative Judges who were so widely respected including Judge Richard McMonagle, Nancy R. McDonnell, and, of course, Judge Leo M. Spellacy,” adds Judge Shaughnessy.

Remodeled Jury Room Opens

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:27:37 -0500

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, General Division, has begun utilizing its newly renovated Jury Assembly Room in The Justice Center.

The months-long project required taking the old jury room down to the studs in most places and outfitting it with modern amenities including digital signage, an interactive video system, updated lighting and sound system, increased wi-fi capability, ample charging stations for juror’s electronic devices, and a free coffee and beverage station.

“This is the room that more members of the general public see than any other part of the Justice Center,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “We are thrilled to provide this state-of-the-art gathering place for the most important people in the justice system, our jurors. Plus, the project was completed at little cost to the taxpayers of Cuyahoga County because most of the funding was through our special projects fund that comes from filing fees and other court costs."

Since the spring, jurors had been gathering in a temporary facility crafted from part of the Justice Center cafeteria. The newly renovated jury room has comfortable seating, regular and ADA accessible workstations, free lockers for juror use, a coffee station, and much more.

“This is our first upgrade since the 1990s,” says Court Administrator Greg Popovich. “This has been a bucket-list project of mine for years and I’m so pleased with all the work that’s gone into it. From the County’s skilled trades-workers to our own staff, everyone has worked hard to create a space we can be proud of.

Tens of thousands of citizens are summoned to serve as jurors each year to help decide criminal and civil cases before the Common Pleas Court.

Jail Opens Veterans Unit

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:58:51 -0500

Cuyahoga County leaders, including Judge Andrew Santoli, unveiled a new housing unit on Friday, November 14, in the County Jail for veterans who are facing criminal charges.

The specialized pod of cells caters to the needs of veterans facing criminal charges. Staff can address mental health challenges and trauma related to service through counseling, peer support, and re-entry tools.

"I know firsthand and my team knows firsthand how important it is for veteran-only spaces for their rehabilitation and their treatment," said Cuyahoga County Veterans Treatment Court Judge Andrew Santoli. "We know that veterans do better when they're surrounded by other veterans." VTC Probation Officer Stephanie Gilliams sang the National Anthem for the ceremony/press conference.

The mission driving the Veterans Treatment Court is to successfully rehabilitate veterans by diverting them from the traditional criminal justice system, and providing them with the unique tools they need to lead a more productive and law-abiding life.

The Cuyahoga County Veterans Treatment Court is the largest in the state and among the largest in the country.

Veterans make up nearly 8% of the state prison population and about 6% of the federal prison population, according to data from the Justice Department. Those with post-traumatic stress disorder are 61% more likely to be criminally involved.

The jail’s previous veterans' pod closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

15 Graduate Veterans Treatment Court

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:47:00 -0500

Fifteen veterans successfully finished the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) program on Thursday, November 6, and were awarded certificates of completion. This is a record number of graduates during a single ceremony.

Justice Center Cafeteria Reopens

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:27:54 -0500

The cafeteria on the 4th floor of the Justice Center has reopened after a lengthy renovation by its new occupant. It is serving hot breakfast and lunch items, long with grab and go cooler products and beverages. Also open is a new first floor coffee and snack stand.

The new Cafe on 4 vendor also operates the vending machines on the 4th floor and they will remain in place, along with additional machines in the new Jury Assembly Room.

We appreciate everyone’s patience during these exciting updates to the Justice Center!

Judge John J. Russo Honored By U.S. Marshals

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:13:09 -0400

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John J. Russo has been honored as the Partner of the Year by the United States Marshals Service in the Northern District of Ohio. The award was presented at the USMS annual awards ceremony on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Cleveland State University.

“I am grateful and incredibly honored to be recognized as Partner of the Year by U.S. Marshal Pete Elliot and his team,” said Judge Russo. “We can only do our individual jobs efficiently if we work together.”

Judge Russo was praised for his collaboration with justice system stakeholders during his term as Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Judge Russo was also honored for his work in legal education, mentorship, and after-hours support to law enforcement.

“His leadership, humility, innovation and steadfast commitment to justice and public service make (Judge Russo) a truly deserving candidate for this award,” the U.S. Marshals Service wrote in the event’s program.

Judge Russo has been on the Bench since 2005 and served as Administrative and Presiding Judge from 2013 though 2019. He is a graduate of St. Edward High School, John Carroll University, and received his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

This year’s ceremony included opening remarks by Cleveland State University President Dr. Laura Bloomberg and CSU Police Chief Beverly Pettrey. Speeches will also be given by former Browns Quarterback Bernie Kosar and Stipe Miocic, former professional mixed martial artist and graduate of Cleveland State University. Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald also addressed the capacity crowd.

(FOP President Jay McDonald, US Marshal Pete Elliot, Judge John J. Russo)

HOPE Court Graduation

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:01:22 -0400

The HOPE (Helping Others Prosper Everyday) Drug Court celebrated its fall graduation on Wednesday, October 29, with four people completing the program.

Hope Court was created to provide additional opportunity for those who are at high risk of re-arrest, have longer criminal histories and struggle with moderate to severe substance use disorders. HOPE Court was created when the Common Pleas Judges amended Local Rule 30.2. Judge Kevin J. Kelly presides over HOPE Court.

HOPE Court is one of four specialty Drug Court dockets in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Settlement Week 2025

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:07:47 -0400

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court’s Dispute Resolution Department is partnering with other local courts for the 2025 Settlement Week the last week of October. During Settlement Week, Dispute Resolution schedules as many hearings as possible and invites attorneys to volunteer to mediate the cases.

Since the Court’s civil mediation program began in 1989, it has evolved from a fledgling alternative to trial into an established and effective forum for resolving civil disputes. The Ohio Legislature passed the Uniform Mediation Act in 2005, codifying many aspects of the mediation process. Today’s lawyers recognize mediation as a powerful and primary tool for resolving their client’s disputes.

Dispute Resolution is housed on the 10th floor of the Justice Center and mediation parties have access to five large hearing rooms and four smaller caucus rooms that double as mediator offices. Private rooms help protect the confidential and privileged nature of mediation communications.

Additionally, Domestic Relations Court staff mediators will be assisting the Juvenile Court to resolve some parenting/support cases during Settlement Week and Domestic Relations Court Judges will be asked to send cases to their mediation department. Domestic Relations Court mediators will also be participating in Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Week clinic on October 22 at the Cleveland Public Library to help with child support and parenting plans.

In addition to Settlement Week, a CLE for local attorneys will be held on Friday, October 31. Along with the Common Pleas Court General Division, representatives will be on hand from the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, and the 8Th District Court of Appeals. Lawyers will hear about what to expect in mediation/resolution conferences in each of the courts and how best to prepare clients for mediation. The CLE will also review the Ohio Mediation Act and each court’s local mediation rules.

60 Register For Pro Bono Collaborative

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:42:26 -0400

60 people were registered for the Court's monthly Pro Bono Collaborative on Friday, September 19.

Nearly three dozen volunteer attorneys and 11 law students assisted the clients who signed up ahead of time. Ten social services agencies were also on hand with information and advisors.

The Pro Bono Program got its start when Judge Joan Synenberg noticed that clients in her Recovery Drug Court needed legal help with legal issues beyond their criminal charges. The Court hired a coordinator for the program through a grant from the Nord Family Foundation.

The program received the Ohio State Bar Association's 2019 Innovative Court Programs and Practices Award.

Veterans Treatment Court Earns Recertification

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:42:42 -0400

The Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court has earned a three-year certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.

In order to receive the certification, the VTC had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards.

Presiding VTC Judge Andrew Santoli was congratulated by the Commission for receiving certification that is valid through December of 2028.

“It has truly been an honor to lead this docket,” says Judge Santoli. “This certification is a testament to the work being done by our team of coordinators, clinicians, probation officers, mentors, and attorneys. They’re making a big difference in the lives of the veterans we work with.”

Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio courts dealing with issues such as drugs and alcohol, mental health, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio, and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community’s needs and resources.

The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and is presided over by the specialized docket judge.

Along with the Veterans Treatment Court, the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court also has five Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities dockets, four Drug Courts, and a High-Risk Domestic Violence Court, and a Violence Intervention Program (VIP) designed to stem gun violence.

(Judge Andrew Santoli at the July 2025 graduation with Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronanyne)

Drug Court Earns Recertification

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:46:13 -0400

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Traditional Drug Court docket has received updated certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.

In order to receive the three-year certification, the court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went into effect in January 2014.

The Traditional Drug Court, presided over by Judge Kelly Ann Gallagher, adheres to science-based principals, only accepting those with substance use disorders, and providing them the wrap-around services through accountability and therapeutic approaches to decrease their chances of becoming justice involved in the future. Since beginning in 2009, Drug Court has graduated more than 1,300 individuals, returning them to their communities as sober citizens. The certification is valid through December of 2028.

“Addiction and its underlying issues factor into many cases that come before our Court,” says Judge Gallagher. “I can’t say enough about the hard work and compassion shown by our Drug Court team.”

The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court has three additional Drug Court Dockets, as well as specialty dockets for veterans, mental health and developmental disabilities, high risk domestic violence cases, and gun violence intervention.

Michelle Davis Polk Honoree

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:27:13 -0400

Michelle Davis is the Common Pleas Court, General Division, Franklin A. Polk Public Servants Merit Award 2025 honoree. The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association provides Cuyahoga County’s courts with this opportunity to honor some of the people who make a real difference in their jurisdictions and communities.

As assistant to the Chief Probation Officer, Michelle helps to manage a department with more than 200 employees. She does it all with a smile and a helpful attitude. Michelle cares about the probation staff AND the people they serve.

Michelle has been with the court for more than 35 years. She began in January 1990 as a Clerk-Typist in the Probation Department. In 2000, Chief Probation Officer Vince Polito needed a temporary assistant, and once he saw what Michelle was capable of, the position was made permanent. Vince was just the first Chief Probation Officer Michelle worked side-by-side with. Vince Holland, Maria Nemec, and, currently, Tammy Sherman, have all benefited from her wisdom and experience.

Along with doing her job expertly, Michelle also supervises the Probation Department’s clerical staff, ensuring all people receive excellent service when they walk through the doors.

Thank you to the CMBA Bar Foundation for this opportunity, but more importantly, thank you Michelle Davis for helping to making our Court a model of efficiency and community service.

Michelle Davis with Court Administrator Greg Popovich

August VIP Graduation

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:15:22 -0400

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court graduated four participants of the Violence Intervention Program (VIP) on Tuesday, August 19.

VIP is designed to assist emerging adult participants, ages 18 to 26 years old, who are arrested with a weapon, but did not use that weapon in a crime. The program works to prevent felony offenders with gun-related specifications from becoming a gun-violence or even homicide-related statistic.

“So many people feel they need to carry a weapon for protection,” says VIP Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “We address the root cause of violence by providing trauma counseling, peer mentorship and educational opportunities to decrease the need to carry a gun while preventing future violence.”

The four graduates completed a five-phase program, which keeps a felony gun conviction off their records, a key to future employment opportunities.

VIP receives support from the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judges, the Court’s Probation Department, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, and other agency stakeholders.

The program is funded by a grant from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Affairs and accepts up to 50 participants per year.

Judge Matia Retires From Drug Court

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:27:30 -0400

After 16 years of dedicated service, Judge David T. Matia has stepped down as a Drug Court judge.

Judge Matia joined the Common Pleas Bench in 1999 and became the General Division’s first Drug Court Judge when the specialty docket began in 2009. There are now four Drug Court dockets, and Judge Matia has most recently been presiding over the Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) docket that primarily serves individuals with an opioid use disorder.

“It’s been an honor to lead Drug Court over the last 16 years. We’ve grown from one docket to four. We’ve served thousands, returning them to healthy lives and their families. It’s been a privilege to help people better themselves and put rudders on their ships,” says Judge Matia.

The goal of the Drug Court program is to break the cycle of recidivism by addressing an offender’s drug dependency and criminogenic risk through evidence-based treatment and programming.

“On behalf of the Common Pleas Court and our greater community, I thank Judge Matia and offer him our deepest appreciation,” says Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “When Judge Matia was appointed to preside over the Drug Court he had no idea how challenging the work would be. He rose to the occasion, was a student of best practices, a leader of multi-disciplinary teams, and an advocate for change within our community.”

Judge Matia presided over his final Drug Court graduation on Wednesday, July 16.

Judge Antonio S. Nicholson Takes Office

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:05:00 -0400

Judge Antonio S. Nicholson has been sworn-in to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

Nicholson, of Solon, assumed office on July 14, 2025, and takes over the seat formerly held by Judge Deena Calabrese, who was elected to the Eighth District Court of Appeals. He will serve the remainder of the unfished term and will need to run for election in November to retain the seat.

Nicholson began his law career in private practice in 2014. In 2015 he served as an assistant public defender for the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office. In 2024, he joined the Lake County Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender in the felony division.

In 2009, Nicholson received a bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology from Cleveland State University. He received his juris doctorate from Charlotte School of Law.

Judge Nicholson is in courtroom 17-C.

VTC Summer Graduation

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:39:18 -0400

Just ahead of the 4th of July, nine people graduated from our Veterans Treatment Court. The ceremony was held July third in the historic old courthouse rotunda across the street from the Justice Center.

Under Judge Andrew Santoli, VTC seeks to divert veterans from the traditional criminal justice system by providing them with the unique tools they need. Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne attended, and a peer specialist was the keynote speaker.

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judges voted in fall of 2014 to create the Veterans Treatment Court. Combat veterans often have issues when they return home from their service. The most serious issues include engaging in high-risk conduct, unemployment, post-traumatic stress syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, homelessness, drugs, and crime. '

Studies have shown that 18% to 30% of veterans need treatment for these issues and the Veterans Treatment Court addresses them.

FACT Docket

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:35:40 -0400

During 2024, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Court worked to better serve different needs of the docket’s clients. One of those is the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Docket, under the umbrella of the MHDD Court. It is presided over by MHDD Chair Judge Shannon M. Gallagher.

The target population for the FACT docket is individuals who may have low to moderate criminal risk, but also have serious mental illnesses (SMI) and meet community treatment eligibility for the ACT level of supervision. The Forensic Assertive Community Treatment model is a clinical team made up of clinicians, case managers, peer support, psychiatry, and a probation officer. It is designed to keep people with SMI out of the hospital and criminal justice system by providing treatment, hands-on assistance with daily living activities, and recovery supports. One of the unique features of this docket is that the team meets the participants in the community and at Recovery Resources rather than in traditional criminal justice system locations like the courthouse and probation office.

On June 16, Judge Gallagher held the inaugural FACT graduation at Recovery Resources. Three individuals graduated the program and spoke about how the integrated team worked closely with them. The graduation was attended by family members, sponsors, and friends. Additionally, three other participants attended and were celebrated for moving to the next phase of the program. One of those participants also showcased his guitar skills and played one of his newest songs.