Horton strengthens bench

By Pamela Glason Thornton
City Editor
Columbus Post

Persons who commit another offense within three years of being released from prison are a high priority for Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Horton. The youngest African-American judge on the bench, Judge Horton has a special interest in addressing the prison system's overpopulation.
Active in the new year, Judge Horton, looks forward to initiating programs that are designed to educate and serve as prison prevention.
To reduce recidivism, or the percentage of repeat offenders, the judge is spearheading an initiative within the court system that connects employers who are willing to participate as re-entry partners.
" In our court, we steer ex-offenders at employment. That's what these guys need. Give these guys some solutions, some real options," said Judge Horton. He has submitted proposals to the collective group of judges regarding the adoption of a transitional program or a re-entry court. "While completing the program, offenders will learn about the availability of community resources and begin to access them for greater stability to prevent relapse to old patterns that lead to crime," Judge Horton said.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, , praised the effort saying, "With the dockets of the court crowded with new cases and serious offenders every day, this proactive approach has been shown in other jurisdictions to be an effective way to prevent repeat crime and better protect the public," said Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, a former judge of the court and initiator of the Common Pleas Court's "Treatment is Essential to Success" (TIES) drug court program. Many believe that the number of repeat offenders is so high because of the lack of structured transition programs for prisoners who are released into society after serving a sentence. Programs that encourage ex-offenders to transition into productive citizens are two-fold. Judge Horton believes that the individual and businesses would benefit from an approach that matches ex-offenders to employment.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, a supporter of specialized dockets, said that Ohio is considered a national leader in offering reentry programs.
" We are proud of the leadership that Judge Horton has taken with respect to establishing a reentry docket in Franklin County," Justice Stratton said. "This exciting new program will reduce the costs related to recidivism, improve public safety, and help offenders establish new, productive lives instead of falling back into crime."
In order for such a program to be implemented within the court system, support must be gained from a larger group – all of the judges as well as organizations that would benefit from reentry programming.
" It's going to take me a little time to push through and make this stuff happen. A meeting to approve the reentry courts has been held. We will know soon whether it is approved, by the full court," said Judge Horton, who was elected in 2006 to fill the unexpired term of Jennifer Brunner and is running unopposed on the March 4 Primary ballot seeking to renew his judgeship with a full six-year term.
Horton, who accumulated experience as an attorney in the private sector prior to earning a seat on the bench, said that he aims to continue to improve the court's efficiency. Horton accumulated experience as an attorney in the private sector prior to earning a seat on the bench.
" I am here early and work late and demand that of the staff. I think it speaks volumes in our work ethic. Our staff is a team. There's a chemistry to our service to the people," commented Judge Horton.
" It's real important that before you come before a court that you are following their procedures," said Judge Horton, the first judge to implement a web page that allows visitors to learn about the judicial process.
Being a judge is not easy. The case dockets of the 17 judges span from simple felonies to death penalties. Each judge is required to keep track of numerous cases at once. The number of cases provides more than enough activity to keep the elected judges and staff members working with purpose and always busy.
" Per judge, we have the most volume in the state. Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, has 34 judges doing the same amount of work we do," said Judge Horton. "The new courthouse that is being built will give us the opportunity to expand by 3 or 4 judges," he said.
The addition of judges depends on funding decisions that have to be made by the state legislature. The addition of funding to cover the $34,755 annual salary for one judge a year will allow for the additional judge seats to be fully funded by the anticipated completion date, 2010, for the courthouse. Led by Horton, The Common Pleas Court is moving forward in its quest for providing judicial access to citizens.

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