On The Record: The Podcast of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court

Re-Entry Court

April 11, 2024 19:00 - 12 minutes - 8.46 MB

Judge Nancy Margaret Russo discusses the Re-Entry Court she has presided over for 15 years. The interview with Public Information Officer Darren Toms is part of the Court's Second Chance Month celebration.

Women's History Month: Judge Kathleen A. Sutula and Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold

March 26, 2024 13:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MB

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, the Court is shining a spotlight on two veteran Judges who will be retiring at the end of the year. Judge Kathleen A. Sutula and Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold met in law school, and have been friends ever since. Each has worn a judicial robe for more than 30 years. The two Judges sat down for a conversation about women in the law, the value of long-time friendships, and changes they have seen in the judicial system in the last three deca...

The Saffold Family Legacy

February 02, 2024 18:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

At the end of 2024, Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold will retire after 29 years on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench. Two of her children are also Judges. Judge Jeffrey Saffold is on our Bench and Judge Sydney Saffold is with the Cleveland Municipal Court. This is the first time all three have sat down together to discuss the Saffold family legacy. They talked with Court Public Information Officer Darren Toms.

Judge Brian Corrigan Retirement Interview

December 08, 2022 14:00 - 12 minutes - 8.7 MB

After 30 years on the Bench, Judge Brian Corrigan retires in January of 2023. Along with host Darren Toms, Judge Corrigan looks back at his career and how the judiciary has evolved in the last three decades.

Judge Dick Ambrose

December 28, 2021 05:00 - 10 minutes - 7.46 MB

After 17 years on the Bench, Judge Dick Ambrose is retiring. He talks with Darren Toms about his time with the Court, playing for the Cleveland Browns, and what led him to a career in law after the NFL.

Judge Patricia Blackmon

February 12, 2021 15:00 - 50 minutes - 32 MB

Former Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Patricia A. Blackmon was the first African American woman elected to that Bench. Judge Blackmon was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1976. She helped organize the first law firm in the state comprised of African American women – Johnson, Keenan, and Blackmon. She also served as the chief prosecutor for the city of Cleveland. On her last day in office, February 10, 2021, Judge Blackmon participated in a Zoom conversation arranged by the Cuyahoga Coun...

Judge Brendan J. Sheehan

January 28, 2020 19:00 - 10 minutes - 7.2 MB

Judge Brendan Sheehan began a two-year term as the Court's Administrative Judge in January 2020. Judge Sheehan talks with host Darren Toms about his career, his thoughts on the Court, and what the future could hold.

Judge John J. Russo Ends Term As Administrative Judge

December 20, 2019 14:00 - 9 minutes - 6.74 MB

Judge John J. Russo looks back on his six years as Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He served as AJ/PJ from January 2014 to December 2019.

Domestic Violence Docket

November 01, 2019 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.34 MB

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is developing a pilot Domestic Violence Docket designed to help both the victim and defendant avoid potential future incidents. Judge Sherrie Miday and host Darren Toms discuss the docket, how the funding was obtained, and what the Judge hopes will be a model for other courts.

The Pro Bono Project

July 05, 2019 15:00 - 9 minutes - 6.24 MB

The Pro Bono Project provides legal advice on civil matters to people who are also dealing with criminal cases. In many instances, a person with a criminal case faces issues such as eviction, child custody, and even driving privileges. Judge Joan Synenberg, who presides over our Recovery Court, was instrumental in getting the Pro Bono Project started when she noticed some of the civil issues her defendants were facing.

Recovery Court

March 29, 2019 04:00 - 10 minutes - 4.95 MB

Judge Joan Synenberg talks with host Darren Toms about Recovery Court, a specialty docket that treats people with a dual diagnosis of addiction and related trauma.

Probation and Evidence-Based Practices

February 01, 2019 05:00 - 8 minutes - 3.83 MB

Cuyahoga County Adult Probation Training Specialist Brad Schleter looks at how the probation department has changed over the years. What was once a program designed to punish people, probation has evolved into a method of helping people overcome their mistakes and become productive members of society. Community Control Sanctions, as probation is now known, uses evidence-based practices to find the best ways to help the clients.

Judge Michael Jackson

December 01, 2018 13:00 - 15 minutes - 7.11 MB

Judge Michael E. Jackson retired in early January, 2019, after six years on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench. He spoke with host Darren Toms about his education, military and law careers and time on the bench. Judge Jackson also talks about Veterans Treatment Court, the docket he helped create and was appointed to preside over.

Judge Stuart Friedman

November 01, 2018 04:00 - 14 minutes - 6.85 MB

Judge Stuart Friedman retired in early January, 2019, after three decades on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Bench. He spoke with host Darren Toms about his education, law career and time on the bench. Judge Friedman also discussed the two things he's most proud of during his time as a Judge.

Judge Carolyn Friedland

October 01, 2018 04:00 - 6 minutes - 3.05 MB

Judge Carolyn Friedland retired in January of 2019, and looked back on what she calls "a great job." Judge Friedland spent 30 years on the Bench, and she speaks with host Darren Toms about her education, career, and why she became a Judge.

Judge Janet R. Burnside

September 01, 2018 04:00 - 13 minutes - 5.99 MB

After nearly three decades on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court bench, Judge Janet Burnside retired at the end of 2018. Judge Burnside discusses her career, the justice system, and what advice she has for young attorneys.

Court Community Service

August 01, 2018 04:00 - 8 minutes - 3.91 MB

CCS Executive Director Paul Klodor discusses how the non-profit organization helps clients perform their court-ordered community service.

Veterans Treatment Court

July 01, 2018 04:00 - 11 minutes - 5.15 MB

Judge Michael E. Jackson talks with host Darren Toms about the Veterans Treatment Court, which strives 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.

Court Reporters

June 01, 2018 04:00 - 11 minutes - 5.15 MB

It's the jobs of our dedicated staff of court reporters to maintain an accurate record of every hearing that takes place. Head Court Reporter Bruce Bishilany talks with host Darren Toms about the role of the court reporters, the training they need, and why their job is so important.

The Jury Room

April 01, 2018 04:00 - 7 minutes - 3.7 MB

How are people chosen for jury duty? What happens when they arrive? And what are some the best excuses people have used to try and avoid service? On The Record host Darren Toms talks with co-directors Pat Bittner and Veronica Adams about their jobs in the jury assembly room.

Cuyahoga County Law Library

March 01, 2018 05:00 - 8 minutes - 3.78 MB

Kathy Dugan, director of the Cuyahoga County Law Library, sits down with host Darren Toms to discuss the library's history and its role in the modern, electronic legal system.

CMBA Mock Trials

February 01, 2018 05:00 - 9 minutes - 4.54 MB

The Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court hosts a number of mock trials during the year, the biggest being the Ohio Mock Trial District Competition, which is organized by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. Jessica Paine, the CMBA's Director of Community Programs, talks with "On The Record" host Darren Toms about the competition and why the partnership with the Court is so important for the students.