Introduction

As amended through October 29, 2024
Introduction

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the state of Ohio. The court consists of a Chief Justice and six Justices who are elected by the citizens of the state of Ohio to six-year terms. A majority of the Supreme Court is necessary to constitute a quorum or to render a judgment.

The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is established in Article II, Section 1g; Article IV, Section 2(B); Article XI, Section 9; and Article XIX, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution as summarized below.

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in the following:

(1) Quo warranto;
(2) Mandamus;
(3) Habeas corpus;
(4) Prohibition;
(5) Procedendo;
(6) Initiative, supplementary, or referendum petition challenges;
(7) General assembly and congressional redistricting;
(8) Any cause on review as may be necessary to its complete determination;
(9) Admission to the practice of law, the discipline of persons admitted to the practice of law, and all other matters relating to the practice of law.

The Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction in the following:

(1) Appeals from the courts of appeals as a matter of right in the following:
(a) Cases originating in the courts of appeals;
(b) Cases involving questions arising under the Constitution of the United States or of Ohio;
(2) Appeals from the courts of appeals in felony cases if leave is first obtained;
(3) Direct appeals from the courts of common pleas or other courts of record inferior to the court of appeals as a matter of right in cases in which the death penalty has been imposed (for an offense committed on or after January 1, 1995);
(4) Appeals of the proceedings of certain administrative offi cers or agencies as provided by statute;
(5) Cases of public or great general interest, if the Supreme Court directs a court of appeals to certify its record to the Supreme Court; and
(6) Any case certifi ed by a court of appeals to the Supreme Court pursuant to Article IV, Section 3(B)(4) of the Ohio Constitution.

The Supreme Court holds regular sessions that are open to the public. Generally, these sessions are held in the Supreme Court courtroom on the fi rst fl oor of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, 65 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio. Calendars of the court sessions are available in the Clerk's Offi ce and on the Supreme Court of Ohio's website at: www.supremecourt.ohio.gov..

Amended October 4, 2022, effective 1/1/2023