PRESS RELEASE & NEWS

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The Ohio Justice Bus will return to Summit County as Domestic Relations Court holds hearings at Public Library.

The Ohio Justice Bus will be returning to Summit County on Friday, June 16th, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Twinsburg Public Library. The Summit County Domestic Relations Court recognizes the great need for legal aid to individuals who might not otherwise have access to justice.

The Court has partnered with Child Support Enforcement Agency, Community Legal Aid, Victim Assistance Program, GASP, Keys 2 Serenity, and Asian Services In Action to offer a range of resources. Community Legal Aid will host a clinic on Divorce without Children. Pre-Registration is required. All those interested should contact: Community Legal Aid at 1-800-998-9454.

The Court has also partnered with the Twinsburg Police Department, Victim Assistance Program, and Twinsburg Public Library to provide No-Cost Childcare and children’s activities. GASP will be providing free identification kits, and there’s an ice cream truck too!

The Court is also seeking Volunteer attorneys. The Ohio Justice Bus will be providing free CLE’s at 10:30 AM for those attorneys in attendance. Contact the Court’s Community Outreach Director or visit https://drcourt.org/wp/volunteer-registration/ to sign up. Your help matters!

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook shared, “This event is a game-changer for the Summit County Community. The Domestic Relations Court’s Event is a unique opportunity to bring justice closer to the people and make it more accessible for everyone.”

For more information about this event, or to register please visit https://drcourt.org/wp/ojb-registration/

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Victim Assistance Program is awarding the “Rev. Dr. Robert A. Denton Outstanding Victim Services Award” to Summit County Domestic Relations Court Administrative Judge, Katarina Cook on April 28, 2023. According to Leanne Graham, Victim Assistance Program’s President & CEO, “in celebration of National Crime Victim Rights’ Week, Victim Assistance will honor Judge Cook’s leadership which has been foundationally instrumental for Summit County victims.”

Victim Assistance Program’s new location within the Summit County Domestic Relations Courthouse has Judge Cook to thank. Cook stated, “I am honored to be this year’s award recipient. This pioneering partnership has increased access to services and removed a large barrier of childcare for families seeking domestic relations court services, with the addition of the Children Who Witness Violence (CWWV) Drop-In Center. The synergy between the Summit County Domestic Relations Court and the Victims Assistance Program has provided a more trauma-informed approach and continuity of services for those persons seeking protection orders.” Both the provision of in-court advocacy services and the new childcare option would not be possible without Judge Cook’s personal and professional advocacy.

The public is welcome to join Victim Assistance Program in celebrating victim services and victims’ rights, on Friday, April 28 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The agency is holding a small gathering with food, generously donated by Brubaker’s Pub, at 4141 Bridgewater Parkway in Stow. Registration is required and can be reserved by calling 330-376-7022 or online at victimassistanceprogram.org/NCVRW. Together, they will honor Judge Cook and offer a learning session about victim rights and Victim Assistance Program’s services.

This year’s National Crime Victim Rights Week theme is “Elevate. Engage. Effect Change.” As such, Victim Assistance Program will briefly discuss some of the legislative changes that are taking place to support more robust victim rights in Ohio.

Summit County Domestic Relations Court invited the Ohio Justice Bus to Akron

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The Domestic Relations Court is proud to host the Ohio Justice Bus on Wednesday, March 15th from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Akron Bar Association (57 S Broadway St, Akron, OH 44308).

This pop-up event will provide members of the community with a “One-Stop Shop” legal aid service and court access.

Summit County Domestic Relations Court is committed to providing equal access to a fair and effective system of justice for all. Innovative events, such as the Ohio Justice Bus, benefit the community by empowering those who need help. Each year the Court encounters hundreds of unrepresented people who desire legal aid. The lack of legal counsel can cost the community time and money. Hosting the Ohio Justice Bus helps bridge this gap.

The Ohio Justice Bus provides technology to address legal needs to underserved peoples and helps solve legal challenges to help improve financial security, health, and safety.

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook shared, “the legal process can take time but when you can meet with an attorney for free, file your paperwork correctly and see a judge all in the same day – that’s providing access”

Summit County Domestic Relations Court is collaborating with the following agencies: Child Support Enforcement, Community Legal Aid, Victim Assistance Program and Asian Services In Action to empower the community of Summit County. “People need access to justice and that’s not just the ability to walk into the court house – that is being connected with community resources”, stated Judge Cook.

Volunteer Attorneys are needed to make this project a success. Please contact the Court’s Community Outreach Director if you have two hours available on March 15, 2023 from 11AM-3PM.

Summit County Domestic Relations Court wishes to give a big thanks to Akron Bar Association for hosting the first Summit County Ohio Justice Bus Event. The Court will invite the Ohio Justice Bus on a quarterly basis with the next Pop-Up event being in June, location to be decided.