The Fisher Case - Ohio Supreme Court

Ohio Constitution

Ohio Supreme Court Website (www.supremecourtofohio.gov)

June 6th, 2007.

Cuyahoga County Jurist Hears Supreme Court Case

Judge Patricia Blackmon of the 8th District Court of Appeals served as a visiting judge on the Supreme Court of Ohio today and heard oral arguments in one case.
Judge Blackmon was selected by Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to sit in place of Justice Robert R. Cupp, who recused himself from Paul Fisher v. Emma Hasenjager, Case Nos. 2006-1815 & 2006-1853.
According to the Ohio Constitution, in the event of a recusal by a Justice, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can select any of the 68 sitting Ohio appellate court judges to sit temporarily on the Supreme Court.
“We are pleased to have Judge Blackmon join us today,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “Her participation provides the parties in the case with a court of seven justices despite the recusal of Justice Cupp.”
The Fisher case examines whether a trial court must first make a finding that there has been a material “change in circumstances” of the child and/or of the affected parent in a court-approved shared parenting plan prior to issuing an order that changes the status of parent as a co-residential parent and co-legal guardian.
Judge Blackmon is currently serving her third term on the 8th District Court of Appeals. The court serves Cuyahoga County and hears cases from county, municipal and common pleas courts as well as original actions in habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, procedendo and quo warranto.
“This is my second time sitting as a visiting judge since the Supreme Court moved to the Ohio Judicial Center,” said Judge Blackmon, who last sat in March 2004. “I'm pleased to be back. I feel honored to have been asked.”
Judge Blackmon is the first African-American woman elected to any Court of Appeals for the State of Ohio. Prior to becoming judge, Judge Blackmon served as a chief prosecutor for the City of Cleveland and the city's first night prosecutor. Judge Blackmon also served as an assistant director of Victims/Witness Program and as a professor at Dyke College. Judge Blackmon received her law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University and was admitted to the Ohio bar in November 1976. Judge Blackmon's honors include induction into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.
Archived video of this case and every case argued before the Supreme Court of Ohio since March 2004 is available at: www.supremecourtofohio.gov/videostream.

Story on the Ohio Supreme Court Website