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Family Intervention Court, a specialized docket of the Akron Municipal Court led by Judge Ron Cable, recently earned a final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets. Family Intervention Court is now certified through December 31, 2022.

In order to receive this certification, the Akron Municipal Court submitted an application, participated in a site visit and provided specific program materials in response to certification standards that became effective in January 2014.

“Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society,” said Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. “Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars.”

Specialized dockets are courts that are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. The Akron Municipal Court has a total of five specialized dockets: Mental Health Court led by Judge Annalisa S. Williams, Family Intervention Court led by Judge Ron Cable, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVI) Court led by Judge Nicole Walker, Valor Court led by Judge Jerry Larson and Recovery Court led by Administrative/Presiding Judge Jon Oldham.

The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.

About Family Intervention Court
Judge Ron Cable serves as Presiding Judge for the Akron Municipal Court’s Family Intervention Court. He was elected to the bench in 2017 and began presiding over this specialized docket in 2018. Prior to joining the Akron Municipal Court, he handled civil cases and civil protection orders for 18 years.

The Akron Municipal Court’s Family Intervention Court Program is an integrative, therapeutic alternative to traditional court practices which fosters partnerships with local community based agencies.

These partnerships are reflected in the make-up of the Family Intervention Court program team members, who are: Judge Ron Cable, Program Manager/Probation Officer Chris Quinlan, case managers from Oriana House, Inc., a victim's advocate from The Battered Women's Shelter, a representative from Summit Psychological Associates, Inc., domestic violence investigators, Marcus Miller and John Bell, from the Akron Prosecutor's Office and Joseph Kodish from the Summit County Public Defender's Office.

Its mission is to provide effective supervision and comprehensive treatment services to those offenders who enter a plea of guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. An intensive intervention strategy is used which includes completion of a twenty-six week batterer's intervention program, random or daily drug and/or alcohol testing, regularly scheduled case management sessions, at least one year of probation and other treatment tailored to the offender, as determined by the Family Intervention Court Program team.

Family Intervention Court meets most Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. in Judge Cable’s courtroom.

Additional Information About Judge Ron Cable
In addition to his vital role in Family Intervention Court, Judge Cable started the Restore Individual Self-Empowerment (RISE) program at the Akron Municipal Court shortly after being elected in November 2017. Judge Cable began RISE to help adult female victims of human trafficking, prostitution and sexual exploitation.

Judge Cable graduated from The University of Akron with a B.A. in Political Science and from The University of Akron School of Law with a Juris Doctor. Judge Cable also studied at the Capital University School of Law.

Judge Cable has served on various boards and committees, including Akron Summit Community Action, Autism Society of America, Greater Akron Chapter, The University of Akron Learning Commons Task Force, The University of Akron Friends of the Library, Akron Bar Association Family Law Section Officer and the Summit County Fatherhood Initiative.

Judge Cable is a member of the Ohio Judicial Conference, the Ohio Bar Association, the Akron Bar Association and is a fellow of the Akron Bar Foundation. Judge Cable is a resident of Akron where he lives with his wife and three children.

Akron Municipal Court Judge Ron Cable