Moyer
COLUMBUS - The state's caseload rose by 2 percent in 2006, the Ohio Supreme Court announced Thursday.
More than 3.2 million cases were filed in Ohio courts in 2006, while the Supreme Court itself heard nearly 2,500 cases. The information was released in the Ohio Courts Summary, an annual publication that outlines the kind of strain Ohio's courts system is under.
"The Ohio Courts Summary is a reflection of the dedication and commitment of our judges and court personnel," Chief Justice Thomas Moyer said. "Behind each one of these 3 million cases are real people who had the opportunity to have their dispute resolved fairly and impartially according to the rule of law."
Overall, the general division of courts of common pleas saw the biggest increase over 2005 filings at 8 percent, including a 23 percent increase in foreclosure filings -- part of a trend that totals an 82 percent increase since 2001.
Municipal courts made up the bulk of the state's caseload, seeing 2,310,521 new cases. Courts of appeals saw 11,208 new filings.
Moyer recently said during his State of the Judiciary Address that the state is implementing a pilot project that will introduce business-specialized courts in common pleas courts.