Court consolidation finally getting attention it deserves

When the highest elected judge in Ohio speaks, the state courts listen. There is statutory power in the position, which is why the decision by the chief justice of Ohio, Maureen O’Connor, to take up the long-discussed consolidation of the courts in Mahoning County below the common pleas level is so significant — and important. O’Connor isn’t coming to Youngstown to appease county Democratic Party Chairman David Betras — she’s a Republican — nor is she trying to micromanage the criminal justice system.

Her decision to host the meeting locally reflects the relationship of the consolidation issue to the proper administration of justice, and the Supreme Court’s belief that the economic challenges confronting governments at all levels require a top-to-bottom review of the courts. Every objective analysis of the current setup in Mahoning County has concluded that having nine judges, six of whom serve part-time, in seven different locations is a waste of money. It is also an inefficient use of manpower. This archaic system should have been disbanded many years ago, but has been protected by individuals, including judges, who are the financial beneficiaries.

When the four part-time judges of the county courts each earn around $60,000 a year and receive full benefits, there isn’t an eagerness to give up such largess.

The bottom line is that a metropolitan court system to replace the courts in Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers, Boardman, Austintown, Canfield and Sebring is the most sensible solution.

Chief Justice O’Connor, who has gone further than any of her predecessors in dealing with the issue, has invited 21 local officials, including the nine judges, to the meeting in late March.

O’Connor’s decision was prompted by a letter to her from Democratic Party Chairman Betras, who sought her involvement. Betras pledged to “help with the political inertia to move forward and change the system once and for all to benefit our legal system.”

Legal battle

Betras’ letter was triggered by the ongoing legal battle between the judges of the Youngstown Municipal Court and the city administration over court space. The judges want funding for a new facility; the administration and council have offered to move the municipal court to other space that is an improvement over what it now occupies. The impasse has reached the Ohio Supreme Court.

The chief justice has made it clear that her visit will be confined to a discussion of court consolidation only.

That’s how it should be.

We would urge O’Connor to permit the press to attend the meeting so the public has a clear idea of who among the local officials is undermining the progress that needs to be made.

The creation of a county-wide system will require legislative action, which is why Sen. Joe Schiavoni and Reps. Robert Hagan and Ronald Gerberry have been invited. They must know that the taxpayers of Mahoning County want to see the cost of government reduced.

The loss of population in the city of Youngstown and the decline in the case loads of all the courts make it impossible to justify the status quo.