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The Curious Bag
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In Ohio, a family law matter is first heard in a division of the Court of Common Pleas. The case may be appealed to the Court of Appeals and, in some circumstances, the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Court of Common Pleas
Ohio's Courts of Common Pleas act as trial courts with general jurisdiction. Their domestic relations divisions handle family law cases, including divorce, spousal support, parental rights and child support.
Court of Appeals
At the Court of Appeals a panel of three judges reviews cases that have been appealed from the lower court. An appeal is generally based on a disputed issue of law, not on the facts of the case.
Supreme Court of Ohio
The Supreme Court is Ohio's "court of last resort." A party to a family law case who is not satisfied with a judgment from the Court of Appeals may file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
Limitation
The Supreme Court has discretion over which cases it will hear and selects cases based on their importance to the public.
Interesting Fact
When the issue is sufficiently important, the U.S. Supreme Court will accept an appeal in a family law case, as it did in the 1967 case of "Loving v. Virginia."
Source:
The Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Judicial System
Resource:
Ohio Legal Services
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