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Common Pleas Judge Alison Breaux discusses new role as presiding judge
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 12, 2021
She’s served on the Summit County Common Pleas bench since 2017 now Judge Alison Breaux has taken the reins as presiding judge.
Judge Breaux, who began a one-year term at the start of January was nominated and approved by the Summit County Court of Common Pleas General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile and Probate Divisions. She replaced Judge Kelly McLaughlin.
In her new role as presiding judge, she is responsible for resolving administrative issues common to all divisions of the court and supervising the selection of Petit and Grand juries at each successive session of the court.
“I look forward to serving as presiding judge,” said Judge Breaux. “As with any new role it can be a bit daunting at first, but I have found it quite rewarding to better understand and be a part of the jury process.”
A graduate of The University of Akron School of Law, Judge Breaux began her career as a civil litigator at Harry A. Tipping Co., later joining the criminal defense law firm Gorman, Malarcik & Pierce.
Prior to being elected to the Summit County Common Pleas bench in November 2016, Judge Breaux served as an Akron Municipal Court magistrate.
In addition to her regular docket and presiding judge duties, Judge Breaux is the presiding judge of HOPE Court (Healing, Opportunity, Progress & Empowerment), the first felony mental health court in Summit County. The specialized docket provides treatment and other resources to those with severe and persistent mental illnesses, with the goal of addressing the underlying issues that led to their involvement with the criminal justice system.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, court officials have implemented numerous changes to procedures to keep jurors, employees, parties, attorneys and the general public safe.
Anyone entering the courthouse is subject to a temperature screening as well as questions regarding recent exposure and travel. Social distancing is also practiced, masks are mandatory, plexiglass has been installed and rigorous cleaning and disinfecting is conducted, said Judge Breaux.
“Former Presiding Judge McLaughlin implemented changes last year to limit the number of jurors entering the building, and those measures will continue, at least for the near future,” Judge Breaux said. “In following directives to reduce the number of individuals in a room at one time, we have limited the number of Grand Jury interviews from 40-50 at a time to a much smaller number of five to seven. Once the Grand Jury is seated and begins hearing testimony, each juror is separated by plexiglass and witnesses testify via video conferencing.”
The Petit Jury selection process has been moved to the ceremonial courtroom to allow for social distancing, she said.
“Since the individual courtrooms vary in size, each of the ten judges has been given a select time to conduct voir dire using the ceremonial courtroom,” said Judge Breaux. “Once a jury has been picked, the proceedings are then moved to the individual judge’s courtroom.
“The process takes longer, but it is important to balance the safety and security of anyone entering our courthouse with the rights and interests of the parties who come before us.”
While Judge Breaux has taken on a new function at the court, Judge Amy Corrigall Jones is continuing her role as administrative judge for the year 2021 after being nominated and approved by judges in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division.
It’s the fifth year that Judge Corrigall Jones was selected by her peers to serve as administrative judge. She is responsible for the administration, docket and calendar of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas General Division.
During her tenure as administrative judge, she is credited with streamlining and updating internal policies and procedures and implementing new programming to enhance services that are provided to the public.
Judge Corrigall Jones also serves as presiding judge of the Summit County Valor Court and the SCORR (Summit County Offender Recidivism Reduction) Program.
In a press release, Judge Corrigall Jones said she was honored to continue providing leadership to the court, especially during the ongoing pandemic.
“A year ago, we had no idea of the challenges that 2020 would bring,” Judge Corrigall Jones stated in the press release. “The General Division judges and staff truly met the challenge by swiftly adopting to methods and procedures to meet changing needs resulting from the pandemic.
“Their flexibility and progressive thinking allowed the General Division to maintain operations throughout the pandemic, continuing the important work of the court in administering fair and impartial justice.”