Judges' cramped quarters are issue

The appellate court moves to its own building later this spring.
By DEBORA SHAULIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- When the 7th District Court of Appeals moves to its own building on West Federal Street later this spring, it will vacate a much-desired courtroom and offices on the fourth floor of the Mahoning County Courthouse.
One common pleas court judge will relocate there as a result, but it won't solve all of the court's space problems.
Thus, common pleas judges want to meet Monday with county commissioners to discuss their need for more room.
By law, the county is responsible for providing facilities and necessary space for common pleas court operations.
"Until the court of appeals moves out, little can be done," said Judge James C. Evans, who is the court's administrative judge this year. The appellate court is tentatively scheduled to move in May.
Also, "Regardless of who goes in there, it will require renovation and updates," including a new audio system and elevation of the jurors' box, Judge Evans said.
Turned it down
General division Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, who has the most seniority, recently decided not to take the appellate court space, Judge Evans said. Next in line was Judge Maureen A. Cronin, also of the general division, who doesn't want to move.
That makes the space available to Judge Beth A. Smith of Domestic Relations Court, who said she'll decide in the next two weeks. "I just need to walk through the area to see if I would gain any space that would be beneficial," she said.
Judge Smith's decision will likely affect general division Judge Maureen A. Sweeney, whose third-floor courtroom is the smallest in the courthouse. If Judge Smith decides not to move, the space may go to Judge Sweeney, because Judge Evans and Judge John M. Durkin also will stay put, Judge Evans said.
If Domestic Relations Court does move, Judge Sweeney will take the space Judge Smith vacates, Judge Evans noted. Judge Sweeney's former courtroom could then be used by visiting judges or magistrates.
Accommodating the public
Domestic Relations has offices in the courthouse basement and on the fourth floor, opposite the appellate court space. "People never know where they're going to have their hearings heard," Judge Smith said. "I just want to make sure I accommodate the public. It would be nice if the whole staff was on one floor." Moving to the appellate court area may enable one domestic relations court magistrate to relocate from the basement, she added.
Judge Smith "has so many people she needs office space for that it's pathetic," Judge Evans said.
Judge Smith said moving isn't simple for many reasons. She used grant money to install a security entrance in her fourth-floor space and special projects funding to install a sound system. Both projects would have to be redone if she moves, at added expense. "I realize we are in a budget crisis in Mahoning County," she said.
The 7th District Court of Appeals has an additional office outside its courtroom that's occupied by court administrator Robert Budinsky and his staff. Judge Smith wanted that space for her court's domestic violence and mediation programs, but the general division judges want the same room for its magistrates. They are hiring two additional magistrates to help with the civil docket as judges focus on criminal cases.
"They've spoken for that, and it's 5 to 1," Judge Smith said of the other judges.
Other moves, such as the relocation of court reporters and the assignment office, are on track, while discussions of moving the victim-witness office and grand jury hearing room to accommodate magistrates have stalled. That's one reason why judges want to talk to commissioners, Judge Evans said.
shaulis@vindy.com