Lorain County Judge sets case resolution deadline

March 30, 2012

Ohio: As of April 1, Judge James M. Burge, of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, ordered that all criminal cases tried in his court must be concluded within six months. Attorneys that practice within the court say that could be difficult, given outside influences that have the tendency to prolong a case.

Judge Burge, who is running for re-election this November, is technically just enforcing a standing rule from the Ohio Supreme Court, which says county criminal cases should not exceed six months. However, the deadline has become a focal point after a recent court audit found that justice was dragging in the county. For his part, Judge Burge says he will dismis any case that has not been concluded in the six month window.