Wednesday, July 14, 1999
Clermont considers adding drug court, but not soon
BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Clermont and Warren counties, two rapid-growth areas, have no plans to create drug courts in the immediate future, but Clermont officials are considering it.
Clermont County is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to add a third common pleas judge to help with the expanding caseload.
If the county is granted a third judge, it's possible that judge could be asked to assume drug court responsibilities, said Judge Robert Ringland, Clermont County's presiding judge.
At least 80 percent of the more than 500 cases per year that go to the grand jury are connected with drug use, he said.
“It's a pervasive problem,” Judge Ringland said. “Drug court is something we're looking at.”
But relief won't be coming soon. The Ohio Supreme Court wouldn't add a third judge for at least two to three years, he said.
Warren County doesn't have a large enough number of drug-related cases to warrant a drug court, said Judge Daniel Fedders, the county's presiding judge.
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