Welcome to the Sandusky County Juvenile Court’s website, which was recently updated through the assistance of an Ohio Supreme Court Technology Grant, and the hard work of our incredible Court Staff!
In 1902, Ohio became the fifth state to create a separate Juvenile Court Division within the Common Pleas Courts. Before that time, juveniles as young as 7 years old were considered criminally responsible for their actions and could be treated as adult offenders. In Sandusky County, I serve jointly as Judge of the Juvenile Court and Probate Court simultaneously.
My judicial role in Juvenile Court is to oversee the administration of cases related to juvenile delinquents, juvenile traffic offenders, unruly children, custody/visitation/child support matters related to children whose parents were never married, adult charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and cases where the local Children Services Agency files an allegation of abuse, neglect or dependency. With the assistance of my Magistrates, we make Findings of Facts and issue Orders in these various types of cases, where the consideration of what is in the “best interest of the child” is always our primary concern. We pride ourselves in giving children and parents chances… but also in holding them accountable for their actions.
Although it is my duty to settle disputes based on the facts and the law, coupled with some judicial discretion, I always encourage the citizens of Sandusky County to make a sincere effort to settle disputes amongst those involved or through mediation, as opposed to creating the ill-will and expense associated with prolonged litigation in Court. Remember, conflict can’t survive without your participation!
Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your Sandusky County Juvenile & Probate Court Judge since 2009…
This website was developed with monies awarded to the Court through the 2017 Ohio Supreme Court Technology Grant.
