Introduction
The Courts of Common Pleas represent one of the oldest and most fundamental institutions in Ohio's judicial system. As the only trial courts created by the Ohio Constitution, these courts have served as the backbone of justice in the state since its earliest days. This article explores the rich history of Common Pleas Courts in Ohio generally, and examines the specific development of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas from its establishment in 1818 to the present day.
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a Court of Common Pleas. The Ohio General Assembly has the power to divide these courts into various divisions:
General Division: Has original jurisdiction in all criminal felony cases and all civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000, as well as cases involving title to real estate (excluding eviction matters). General divisions also have appellate jurisdiction over decisions of some state administrative agencies and city agencies.
Domestic Relations Division: Has jurisdiction over divorce (dissolution of marriage), annulment, legal separation, spousal support, parental rights and responsibilities, and child-related matters.
Juvenile Division: Hears cases involving juvenile delinquency (minors under 18 charged with acts that would be crimes if committed by adults), as well as cases involving unruly, dependent, and neglected children. Juvenile courts also have jurisdiction in adult cases involving paternity, child abuse, non-payment of child support, contributing to the delinquency of minors, and truancy.
Probate Division: Handles wills, estate matters, guardianships, marriage licenses, adoptions, name changes, determination of mental competency, and certain eminent domain proceedings.
Some counties have established specialized business court tracks called Commercial Dockets, including Cuyahoga, Hamilton, and Lucas counties.
Selection and Qualifications of Judges
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas are elected to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot, although candidates may choose to run in partisan primary elections. To be appointed or elected to the court, a person must be an attorney with at least six years of experience in the practice of law. Under the Ohio Constitution, judges who reach 70 years of age may be assigned by the chief justice to active duty, receiving payment on a per-day basis in addition to retirement benefits.
The History of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas
Formation of Medina County
Medina County was created on February 18, 1812, from territory that had been part of Portage County. The county was named after Medina, Saudi Arabia, the city where the Prophet Mohammed is buried. Interestingly, the county seat was originally named Mecca but was later changed to Medina.
The county was part of the Connecticut Western Reserve, a portion of northeastern Ohio originally intended for settlement by Revolutionary War refugees from Connecticut. This heritage influenced the early settlers and the development of county institutions.
While the county was created in 1812, it was not formally organized until April 1818. The county was settled principally by people from Connecticut, though in later years there was considerable immigration from Germany.
Establishment of the Court
The Medina County Court of Common Pleas was established in 1818 when the county was formally organized. Court records date back to 1818, making the Clerk of Courts' office the custodian of more than two centuries of legal history.
From 1797 or the creation of the county until 1852, probate records were held by the Court of Common Pleas. After 1852, a separate probate court was established, which later became the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas following the 1968 Modern Courts Amendment.
The Courthouse Buildings
First Courthouse (Pre-1825): The county's first courthouse served the community until 1818 when the county had outgrown the building.
Second Courthouse (1825): Commissioners advertised for a new building in 1818, but it was not completed until 1825. The contracts totaled $7,468. When the commissioners faced financial difficulties in 1825, they rented an upstairs room to Masonic Lodge #59 for $12 per year to help with expenses.
The architecture resembled that of the original state capital building in Chillicothe. Most of the first floor was used as the courtroom, with the Clerk and Auditor each having one office also on the first floor. The second floor had a separate room for juries. In 1837, after fire damage, the building was renovated and the courtroom occupied the entire first floor.
Third Courthouse (1882-Present): The county's third and current courthouse was designed by architect Thomas Boyd and built by T.B. Townsend of Zanesville for a contract price of $98,860. Construction lasted from 1898 through May 20, 1901, when the county commissioners and building committee accepted the new building.
The stone for the building came from a quarry in Medina (note: one source mentions stone from Medina, while another indicates stone from a Medina quarry was used for the Tuscarawas County courthouse—the exact quarry location requires verification). The building measured 96 feet by 112 feet and consisted of 38 rooms on three floors and an attic.
The courthouse was originally constructed with a dome topped by a statue called "The Three Ladies of Justice," made from zinc or lead-like metal, weighing more than 699 pounds and measuring 10 feet wide. This statue had to be removed for safety reasons in 1959, and the heads of these ladies are now on display in the Commissioners' Board room. On July 26, 1973, a cupola was lifted into place by helicopter to top the dome.
The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings and remains the center of judicial activity in Medina County, housing the Common Pleas courtrooms and administrative offices.
Current Structure and Divisions
Today, the Medina County Court of Common Pleas is divided into several divisions:
General Division: Currently has three judges who handle criminal felony cases and civil cases in which the claim exceeds $15,000, as well as cases involving title to real estate such as foreclosures.
Domestic Relations Division: Handles cases involving divorce, dissolution, annulment, legal separation, spousal support, parental rights and responsibilities, and child-related matters. The division is located at 225 East Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256.
Probate and Juvenile Division: These divisions are combined and handle probate matters (estates, guardianships, adoptions, marriages) and juvenile matters (delinquency, traffic, child abuse and neglect). The division is located on the fourth floor of the main courthouse building at 225 East Washington Street.
Judges of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas
While comprehensive historical records of all judges who have served on the Medina County Court of Common Pleas since 1818 are not readily available in online sources, the following judges have served in recent decades and are currently serving:
Current Judges (as of 2025)
General Division:
Judge William F. Hutson (Courtroom 3A)
- Currently serving as a Common Pleas judge
- Handles a variety of civil and criminal matters
- Rotates responsibility for the quarterly grand jury panel with Judge Kimbler
- Office: (330) 725-9131
Judge Joyce V. Kimbler (Courtroom 3B)
- Currently serving as a Common Pleas judge
- Presides over Drug Court and Mental Health Court
- Rotates responsibility for the quarterly grand jury panel with Judge Hutson
- Office: (330) 725-9735
Domestic Relations Division:
- Judge Julie A. Schafer
- Currently serving as Domestic Relations judge
- Handles marriage termination cases, dissolutions, and support enforcement matters
- Evidence of service dates back to at least 2025 based on case records
Probate and Juvenile Division:
- Judge Kevin W. Dunn
- Has presided over both the Medina County Probate Court and Juvenile Court since 2013
- Oversees matters involving estates, guardianship, adoptions, marriages, juvenile delinquency, juvenile traffic, and child abuse and neglect.
The Court's Role in the Community
The Medina County Court of Common Pleas serves a population of over 182,000 residents (as of the 2020 census) across the county's cities, villages, and townships. The court system ensures that citizens can have their disputes heard and resolved by juries of their peers, with judges ensuring that rules governing trials are followed and proceedings are fair.
Every three months, a new Medina County Grand Jury is sworn in, with Judges Kimbler and Hutson rotating responsibility for the quarterly panel. The grand jury meets once every two weeks to consider cases brought by the Medina County Prosecutor's Office, determining whether there is sufficient evidence or probable cause to require an accused to stand trial.
The court also offers specialized programs:
- Drug Court: Presided over by Judge Kimbler, providing alternatives to incarceration for drug-related offenses
- Mental Health Court: Also under Judge Kimbler's oversight, addressing cases involving defendants with mental health issues
- Mediation Program: Located in the courthouse, offering alternative dispute resolution for parties to resolve disputes without going to trial
Conclusion
The Medina County Court of Common Pleas stands as a testament to more than two centuries of judicial tradition in Ohio. From its origins in English common law, through the circuit-riding judges of the early 19th century, to the modern constitutional court established in 1851 and refined in 1968, the Court of Common Pleas has evolved to meet the changing needs of Ohio's citizens.
In Medina County specifically, the court has served the community since 1818, providing a forum for justice, dispute resolution, and the protection of constitutional rights. The historic courthouse, built in 1882 and still in use today, symbolizes the enduring commitment to the rule of law and the administration of justice.