Certification Procedures and Information
The Ohio Supreme Court has adopted rule amendments that outline the procedures to receive Supreme Court certification for a specialized docket program. Under the certification amendments, courts operating specialized dockets are required to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and submit specific program materials to the Specialized Docket Section as part of the certification process. While the standards seek to create a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets, they still allow local specialized dockets to innovate and tailor their specialized docket to respond to local needs and resources. In addition, specialized dockets that comply with the initial stages of the certification process will be initially certified pending a final review. Specialized docket programs are required to be initially certified by January 1, 2014. The amendments also create a new Commission on Specialized Dockets and amend the definition of a specialized docket in the Code of Judicial Conduct. The new commission will be the body that applies the certification requirements and determines which programs are certified.
Certification is granted when the written materials submitted by each court and observations made during the site review demonstrate compliance with the certification standards. Topics that are not expressly set forth in the certification standards are not evaluated.
The Certification Process (MP4)
Specialized Dockets Updates Certification Standards (PDF | MP4)
Specialized Dockets Updates Superintendence Rules 36.20-36.32 (PDF | MP4)
Constitutional Rights of Participants Guidance
Principles for the Use of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in Drug Courts
- Certification Submission Guidelines
- Sup.R.36.02-36.28
- Specialized Dockets Standards
- Specialized Dockets: The Path to Certification Overview
- Intent to Apply
- Certification Application (Updated 2021)
- Supplemental Application for COVID
- Post Final Certification: Maintenance of Certification Materials Form
- The Supreme Court of Ohio Specialized Dockets Section Site Review Report
- Additional Information for Virtual Site Visit
- Frequently Asked Questions Specialized Docket Certification
- Specialized Docket Complaint Process
- Specialized Docket Complaint Form

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