Sixth District Court of Appeals in Norwalk

NORWALK — On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Sixth District Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in Huron County for the first time since 2011. The Ohio courts of appeals are established in the Ohio constitution and their primary function is to decide appeals from the common pleas, municipal, and county courts. The state is divided into 12 appellate districts. The Sixth District Court of Appeals has its courthouse in Toledo and decides appeals from all trial courts across Erie, Fulton, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams, and Wood counties. All cases are heard and decided by a three-judge panel, comprised of judges who are elected to their position by voters within this same region. There are five elected judges on the Sixth District Court of Appeals: Presiding Judge Myron Duhart and Judges Thomas Osowik, Christine Mayle, Gene Zmuda, and Charles Sulek. The Sixth District Court of Appeals functions much like the Ohio or United States Supreme Court in that it determines whether the decision of the lower court should be affirmed or reversed, and its decisions become binding law, or precedent, for future cases within its eight-county territory. The Sixth District Court of Appeals normally hears oral arguments at its courthouse in Toledo. On Aug. 16, 2023, the court will hold a special session of oral arguments in Huron County at the Huron County Courthouse. The following cases will be heard, beginning promptly at 10 a.m.: • Village of Wakeman v. Smith Case No. H-22-013 • Seisel v. Seisel Case No. E-22-053 • State v. Farris Case No. E-22-049 • Buttari v. City of Norwalk Case No. H-23-009 The three-judge panel for these cases will consist of Presiding Judge Myron Duhart, Judge Thomas Osowik and Judge Gene Zmuda. These arguments are open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at the courthouse twenty minutes ahead of time.