Court Policies & Procedures
Policy Regarding Emotional Support Animals in the Courthouse- Effective 9/15/2022
Service animals are welcomed but emotional support animals are not permitted in the courthouse.
If you are unable to make arrangements or find proper care for your emotional support animal within fifteen minutes of your scheduled hearing time, your hearing may not go forward and may be continued to a later date.
Children in the Courthouse – Effective 9/7/2022
While the courthouse is no place for a child, there are times that you feel that you have no better choice.
Our Children’s Drop-In Center on the Third Floor is available for child-care from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and may be used while you are at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court.
The Children’s Drop-In Center is managed by the Victim’s Assistance Program and has a caregiver on site.
Exhibits – Effective 8/19/2021
Proposed exhibits for trials or hearings are not to be filed with the Clerk’s office.
| Magistrate Hearings | Judge Hearings/Trials |
| Please call the magistrates’ scheduler at (330) 643-5456 and bring the exhibits to the 3rd Floor security desk. | Bring exhibits to the 4th Floor security desk OR contact the judge’s bailiff. |
Facial Coverings – Effective 8/10/2021
All matters scheduled at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court will be in person unless the scheduling order specifies otherwise. Parties and counsel shall not wear masks while speaking for the duration of the hearing and witnesses shall not wear masks while on the witness stand. The purpose of this policy is to allow the Judges and Magistrates to effectively determine credibility and to ensure accurate transcription by the court reporter. Should a party, counsel, or witness need to wear a mask while speaking and/or testifying during a hearing, a timely motion to appear with a facial covering/mask, via Zoom or to continue the matter shall be filed.