The Supreme Court Ohio Annual Report

Advisory Committee
on Domestic Violence
Diana L. Ramos-Reardon
staff liaison
Chrystal Alexander
Hon. Debra Boros, chair
Robin Bozian
Joe Ellison
Doug Engel
Jeff Ginsburg
Rose Handon
Hon. James Heath
Marianne Hemmeter
Hon. Jeffrey Hooper
M. Catherine Kurila
Faye List
Nancy Neylon
Hon. John Rohr
Alexandria Ruden
Michael Sheils
Michael Smalz
Dottie Tuttle
Hon. Sandra Walker
Hon. Gary Yost
Advisory Committee
on Interpreter
Services
Bruno G. Romero
staff liaison
Hon. Ronald B. Adrine,
chair
Jean Atkin
Diane Birckbichler
Roxana Brun
Hon. Donna J. Carr
Hon. Julia L. Dorrian
Tammy Dwyer
Isabel Framer
Hon. Cheryl D. Grant
David Hejmanowski
Atiba Jones
José Luis Mas
Hon. Stephen McIntosh
Jill Snitcher McQuain
Kevin Mercado
Hon. Mary Margaret
Rowlands
Jesus R. Salas
Hon. Thomas Unverferth
Hon. José A. Villanueva
considerations for weapons disqualification resulting from a
domestic violence conviction or being subject to a protection
order. The second bulletin, Domestic Violence in Later Life,
explores domestic violence experienced by older Ohioans and
distinguishes the issue from general elder abuse violence.
Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence
The Domestic Violence Program worked closely with the
Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence to revise relevant
domestic violence and stalking protection order forms to
include pertinent language regarding judicial notification
on firearms liability. The Supreme Court adopted the
recommended changes effective Feb. 1, 2009. The newly
adopted forms evidence Ohio’s compliance with federal
requirements regarding the Violence Against Women Act
funds.
Interpreter Services Program
The Interpreter Services Program provides technical
assistance to local courts on matters regarding language access
in the courts, including the use of qualified interpreters and
development of effective resources to recruit, appoint and use
qualified interpreters; and establishes standards and promotes
uniform practices for the use of interpreters and translators in
Ohio courts.
In 2009, the Interpreter Services Program provided training
for about 240 interpreters, 195 court personnel and 20
members of the bar. The training topics included introduction
to court interpreting for interpreters, court interpretation for
courts and attorneys, legal procedure and terminology for
interpreters and bridging the gap with Arabic speakers for
courts.
The program completed a translation project of 27 court
forms into five languages — Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Somali
and Spanish — in December 2009. The project included forms
from domestic relations, juvenile, municipal, probate and
general division courts.
Finally, the program saw the adoption of amendments on
Nov. 2, 2009, to Rules 80 through 87 and Appendix H of the
Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. Effective Jan.
1, 2010, the amended rules provide the mechanisms to screen,
test and certify court interpreters.
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