Law Talk on Jury Trials with Judge James Kimbler

Judge Kimbler recently sat down with John Celebrezze of the Celebrezze-Zanghi Community Legal Education Project to discuss Ohio jury trials. Click on the link below to watch this interview:

In “The Spotlight” with Judge James L. Kimbler, Medina County Common Pleas Court

By Kate Feeks

In June watch for the next episode of Law Talk, hosted by John Celebrezze. This episode features Judge James L. Kimbler of the Medina County Common Pleas Court. Judge Kimbler will discuss juries. This show can be viewed on Wadsworth Cable (WCTV) Public Access, Channel 15, Brunswick Area Television (BAT) Public Access, Channel 21, Armstrong Cable Access, Channel 37 and You Tube.

In the United States a jury consists of a sworn group of citizens that hear testimony in legal disputes and then determine the truth. The idea originated in England, with the size of a jury decided based upon a fair representation of the community.

States are free to have juries as small as six, but any number below six is considered unconstitutional. A jury with less than six members would be too small, making it an unfair representation of the community.

The essential function of a jury is to ensure that trials are resolved using common sense judgment through community participation. Not all individuals who are qualified to serve on a jury duty are necessarily required to serve. There are a number of reasons people could be excused from serving. The most common groups excluded include: doctors, firefighters, politicians, and sole caregivers of young or incompetent children or adults. People can also be excused on religious and/or ideological grounds.

While serving as a juror, a person plays an essential role in the judicial system, making it an extremely important obligation. As a juror, there are certain responsibilities required. Jurors may not conduct their own research, or allow television, radio, or newspapers to influence their decisions. Jurors are not permitted to discuss the case with family or friends, until a verdict is rendered. Jurors also cannot discuss the case amongst themselves until they deliberate, and they must base their verdict only on the facts of the case presented to them in the courtroom.

Violating any of these rules is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment, and could result in a mistrial. “There is a standard instruction in my court room that you may not do your own research, you may not go on the internet, you may not speak to another party and so on. When I explain to them that they might get information that will not give them the whole picture, or both sides of the story, they understand why it can be unfair” Kimbler explained.

To learn more about juries with Judge James Kimbler, watch for his interview with John Celebrezze on Law Talk throughout the month of June.

Reprinted with permission from www.czclep.org.

Law Talk Interview with Court Mediator Bruce Francis

John Celebrezze, host of Law Talk, a community access television show seen in Brunswick, Medina, Valley City and Wadsworth, recently interviewed Attorney Bruce Francis. Mr. Francis is the Court Mediator for the Medina County Court of Common Pleas. Click on the links below to view the interview.

Part One



Part Two

Law Talk Show on Adoption

John Celebrezze, host of the community access television shows Law Talk and Ask the Judge, recently interviewed Medina attorney Richard J. Marco, Jr., on the topic of adoption. You can watch the interview by clicking on the links below:

Part I


Part II

Law Talk Show on Foreclosures Wins Award

The Law Talk show on foreclosures with Judge James L. Kimbler and hosted by Medina Attorney John Celebrezze won the Clapper award for Best Talk Show at the awards ceremony sponsored by WCTV. WCTV is the community access network in Wadsworth, Ohio and broadcasts television shows produced by Wadsworth residents or that concern issues that affect Wadsworth and Medina County. The Clapper awards are given out by WCTV for various categories of shows.

Law Talk is a production of CZ-CLEP, an Ohio non-profit corporation. Its mission is to educate the public and legal professionals about Ohio's legal system including courts, the legislature and attorneys. It is hosted by John Celebrezze, a career educator who following his retirement from education went to law school and became an attorney. John practices with the law firm of Marco and Marco in Medina, Ohio. Law Talk is shown on community access television stations in Brunswick, Medina, and Wadsworth.

Besides producing Law Talk, CZ-CLEP puts out a weekly newsletter from Judge Kimbler; presents seminars for lawyers; produces another television show called Ask the Judge; and conducts adult education classes on the law. CZ-CLEP is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. You can learn more about CZ-CLEP by clicking here.

Law Talk with Court of Appeals Judge Eve Belfance

Attorney John C. Celebrezze, host of the community access television show Law Talk, recently had Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Eve Belfance as a guest on his show. The Ninth District Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne Counties. It has five judges. Click on the arrows below to watch John's interview with Judge Belfance.

Judge Eve Belfance, Part One



Judge Eve Belfance, Part Two

Law Talk with Juvenile Magistrate Susanna Lewis Part 1

Medina Attorney John Celebrezze, host of the award winning community access show Law Talk, recently sat down with Juvenile Court Magistrate Susanna Lewis to talk about her job and how it impacts Medina County residents who go through the Medina County Juvenile Court. Magistrate Lewis was appointed by Judge John Lohn and, among other things, helps with his Teen Court program. You can see Part one of the interview by clicking on the link below:

Law Talk with Juvenile Magistrate Susanna Lewis Part 2

Medina Attorney John Celebrezze, host of the award winning community access show Law Talk, recently sat down with Juvenile Court Magistrate Susanna Lewis to talk about her job and how it impacts Medina County residents who go through the Medina County Juvenile Court. Magistrate Lewis was appointed by Judge John Lohn and, among other things, helps with his Teen Court program. You can see Part Two of the interview by clicking on the link below:

Law Talk on Channel 4 in Medina

by Kate Feeks

The television show Law Talk hosted by John Celebrezze, Co-Founder of The Celebrezze/Zanghi Community Legal Education Program Inc., or CZ CLEP, is now available on Armstrong cable channel 4.

Law Talk is a function of CZ CLEP which is dedicated to legal education. For the past 2 years Law Talk has been aired on public broadcast stations across Medina County and now can also be viewed on another station - cable channel 4.

Mr. Celebrezze will be interviewing local judges on specific areas of interest in their courts. Some of the judges to watch for include: Judge James Kimbler of the Medina County Common Pleas Court on the topic of foreclosures, Judge Dale Chase of the Medina Municipal Court on his probation department as well as DUI convictions in his court, Judge Mary Kovack of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division on the workings the domestic relations court and the areas of family law that it handles, Judge Steve McIvaine of the Wadsworth Municipal Court on the programs his court uses to educate teens about underage drinking, and Judge Christopher Collier of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas on his Drug Court as a solution for defendants on how to find a way to get off drugs.

Watch for the show Law Talk on your local Armstrong cable channel 4 on Monday and Friday at 9:30am, Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm, and Wednesday at 1:00pm.

July Law Talk: Ohio Consumer Law

Attorney John Celebrezze, host of the award-winning community access television show, Law Talk, interviews Medina Attorney Maryann Chandler about Ohio consumer laws. You can view the show by clicking on the links below.


Part One of Three


Part Two of Three


Part Three of Three

Law Talk with Medina County Chief Public Defender Tim Lutz

Recently Attorney John Celebrezze sat down with Medina County's Chief Public Defender Tim Lutz and talked with Tim about what he does and how his office works. You can listen to their discussion by clicking on the links below.