COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. However, our Criminal, Juvenile, and Civil Divisions temporarily suspended face-to-face access to the public. No walk-ins are allowed. Our office can be reached via telephone 330.643.2800 or via email at info@prosecutor.summitoh.net.

• We temporarily closed our office for public meetings and appointments.
• Meetings with witnesses are performed remotely so long as the witness has telephonic capabilities. If witnesses are unable to meet remotely, we implemented proper social distancing guidelines to meet in-person at specially designated times and locations.
• We arranged for our Grand Jury to comply with state and local requirements for physical distancing. We also reduced the amount of days our Grand Jurors are present in the Courthouse and meet in person.
• We staggered the schedules of employees so that there are fewer employees in the office at any one time. While in the office, our employees wear masks, make every effort to keep six feet apart from one another, and adhere to recommended guidelines.
• The County implemented a procedure requiring individuals to take their temperature upon entry into County buildings or complete a form indicating they have self-tested immediately prior to their arrival. As a safety precaution, the County has stationed deputies at each entrance to help with taking temperatures.
• Employees are advised that, if they do not feel well, they should not come to the office.
• Offices are cleaned with sanitizing spray at entrances and high traffic areas. Hand sanitizer has been distributed to all employees and workstations in the office. We also implemented regular cleaning schedules for employees throughout the day.
• We continue to follow state and federal guidelines to ensure we are keeping our community and employees safe.

You can contact our office either by calling 330.643.2800 or emailing info@prosecutor.summitoh.net. Please make sure to include the defendant's name, case number, and your contact information. 

You can call 330.643.2765 or leave a message through the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal found at https://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/CustServWebPortalWelcome2.stm.

Yes. The Child Support Enforcement Agency continues to fight for families but has temporarily suspended face-to-face interactions at the office in downtown Akron. However, these services have not stopped, and the agency is available to help individuals remotely.

CSEA can be contacted by phone at 330.643.2765 or by leaving a message through the Ohio Child Support Customer Service Portal: https://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/CustServWebPortalWelcome2.stm .

Summit County CSEA offers several ways for parents to make child support payments without traveling to the office in person:

• Online from a checking or savings account or by debit or credit card, free of charge, by visiting https://oh.smartchildsupport.com.
• By phone with a debit or credit card by calling 888.965.2676.
• By mail to Ohio Child Support Payment Central, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2372.
• At any MoneyGram location, using code 14674 and including your SETS case number and court or administrative order number. There is a fee for using this service. MoneyGram locations can be found by visiting www.moneygram.com.
• At any child support enforcement agency in the state if they accept payments. A list of agencies accepting payments can be found by visiting http://jfs.ohio.gov/Ocs/employers/CSPC_Overview.stm.
• The following modes of payment are accepted: credit/debit cards such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, China UnionPay, Diners Club International, and JCB. 
• Alternate payment options include Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and WeChat Pay.
• Minimum payment fee of $1.00 required for credit/debit card and alternate forms of payment.

• Yes. Beginning the week of May 11, 2020, the Child Support Enforcement Agency offered drive-up DNA testing to establish paternity on current child support cases.
• Please note that DNA testing will continue to be conducted by drive-up (complying with all state health guidelines issued for the COVID-19 pandemic) and by appointment only. 
• For an appointment, please call CSEA at 330.643.2765.

• Yes. All administrative hearings are proceeding as scheduled and are being conducted over the phone. Rather than in-person appearances, the hearing officer will call individuals at the scheduled times.
• Please ensure that the CSEA has your updated contact information to avoid missing hearings. Your address, phone number, and employment information can be updated by sending a message through the Child Support Customer Service Web Portal at jfs.ohio.gov/ocs or by calling the CSEA at 330.643.2765.

• Right now, the Summit County Courthouse has enacted new operational guidelines to help keep staff and visitors safe.
• All scheduled criminal and civil matters, including mediations, will be conducted via video/telephone conference, unless authorized by the Administrative Judge, through at least July 31, 2020. This timeframe may be extended if necessary and appropriate.
• The Court is enforcing social distancing guidelines and use of masks as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and other medical professionals. The guidelines include keeping individuals in a courtroom at least six feet apart from each other (with the exception of deputies being closer to defendants), the use of masks for everyone who enters the Summit County Courthouse (staff and visitors included), temperature checks at all access points, hand sanitizer supplied throughout the Courthouse, and all courtrooms being sanitized daily. This also includes limiting the number of people who are allowed to enter a courtroom at a single time to 10 individuals.

• https://www.summitcpcourt.net/.

• Effective Monday, June 1, 2020, every trial and evidentiary hearing is held in-person unless alternative arrangements are made with the judge or magistrate assigned to that trial or hearing. All other matters are being held via Zoom. If you have any questions, please call 330.643.2368 and include your email address (if available) in your message.
• Please make sure that your contact information (name, phone, address, and email) is updated with the Court. The Court will then send a notice that details the manner in which your hearing will be held.
• If your hearing is being held via Zoom, you can find the login information for your judge or magistrate by clicking on the following link: https://drcourt.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/dr-court-zoom-links.pdf.
• As with all Court hearings during this unprecedented time, the above is subject to change.
• For more information on COVID-19 and the Summit County Domestic Relations Court, click on the following link: https://drcourt.org/wp/covid19/.

• Yes. The Summit County Juvenile Court has been operating during the pandemic with hours of operation Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm ET.
• Due to the critical nature of juvenile proceedings, the Juvenile Court has been conducting all hearings remotely or in-person. Rest assured, the Juvenile Court is following all restrictions and guidelines from the ODH and the Governor’s Office.
• Please click on the following link for information on procedures and guidelines in the Juvenile Court: https://juvenilecourt.summitoh.net/.

Yes. The Prosecutors are still working hard to keep our community safe.

Our staff is working normal business hours, either remotely or physically in the office. We implemented staggered schedules so less people are in the office at any time.