A New Judge and a Revamped Jury Room in Cuyahoga County
Michael Shaughnessy is now the top judge in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. He took over from Brendan Sheehan, who led the court for six years. Shaughnessy was chosen by his fellow judges for a two-year term starting in January.
A Lot on His Plate
Shaughnessy will manage the court's daily operations and speak for all its divisions. He thanked his predecessors and praised Sheehan's handling of the court during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaughnessy promised to uphold justice and protect everyone's rights.
Background
Before becoming a judge in 2017, Shaughnessy studied law at Cleveland State University. He worked as a criminal defense lawyer and served as South Euclid's city prosecutor for over ten years. He also managed one of the county's mental health courtrooms.
Court Upgrades
While Shaughnessy takes the reins, the court has been sprucing up its jury facilities. The jury assembly room at the Justice Center just got a major makeover, its first since the 1990s. The new space includes:
- Digital signs
- Better lighting and sound
- Wi-Fi
- Charging stations
- Coffee station
Sheehan emphasized the importance of jurors, calling them the backbone of the justice system. The upgrades were based on juror feedback over the years. The renovated room offers:
- Comfortable seating
- Accessible workstations
- Lockers
- Free coffee and tea
Sheehan compared it to a fancy airport lounge.
More Improvements
The court isn't stopping there. It's also modernizing its courtrooms with:
- New video screens
- Wiring to better show digital evidence
Upgrades to rooms on the top two floors are already done. The Justice Center cafeteria is getting:
- A new vendor
- Better food options
- A new snack bar in the first-floor atrium
Other improvements include:
- A nursing room for jurors
- Electronic sign-in badges for faster check-in
- Updated bathrooms
- Refrigerators for lunches
Sheehan and court administrator Greg Popovich said most of these upgrades were funded through court fees saved over a decade, not taxpayer money.
A Big Change
With tens of thousands of jurors summoned each year, these upgrades aim to make their service more comfortable and efficient. It's a big change for the court, and Shaughnessy is ready to lead the way.
