(Cleveland) – With domestic violence cases across the nation making headlines, several Cuyahoga County organizations are planning to answer questions the public may have about how such cases go through the legal system here.

A legal education program called By The People has been developed by the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court along with several partnering organizations. By The People was created to open a dialog with the public on various legal issues in the county.

The first seminar, Domestic Violence: How Cases Are Handled In Our County’s Legal System, will take place on Thursday, February 12, in the former County Council Chambers on the first floor of the Justice Center.  The program itself will run from 5:30PM to 7:00PM. After that, advice and counseling will be provided by domestic violence advocates from 7:00PM to 8:00PM.

Panelists for the program are expected to include:

Judge Ronald Adrine: Cleveland Municipal Court Administrative Judge
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty
Judge K.J. Montgomery: Shaker Heights Municipal Court
Judge Diana Palos: Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court Administrative Judge
Judge John J. Russo: Common Pleas Court Administrative and Presiding Judge
Jill Smialek: The Family Justice Center manager and victim advocate
Judge Kristin Sweeney: Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Administrative Judge
Robert Tobik: Cuyahoga County Chief Public Defender

Listen to Domestic Violence and the Legal System which aired live on WCPN Sound of Ideas on Thursday morning, February 12, 2015.  Host Mike McIntyre speaks with four of the panelists who will appear in this evening's program at the Justice Center.

The itinerary is still being developed, but we plan to begin with a moderator asking the panelist about some of the key issues in dealing with domestic violence cases. These include, but are not limited to:

* Differences between Protection Order/Temporary Restraining Order/No Contact Order             
* Bystander Intervention
* How does a case travel from one Court to another? Difference between misdemeanor and felony?
* How are bonds set? What are the guidelines when we operate under the assumption of “Innocent until proven guilty”?
* What makes a case “domestic violence” instead of assault? What if there are intimate partners? Is cohabitation a factor?
* The effects on children

After the group discussion, the floor will be opened to questions from those in attendance. The Huntington Garage behind the Old Court House on Lakeside will provide free parking.