​ Licking County Probate-Juvenile Court – Judge Deborah G. Lang

 
In each of Ohio's eighty-eight (88) counties, there is a juvenile court and a separate probate court, both of which are divisions within that county's common pleas court. In the majority of Ohio's counties, the probate judge also serves as the juvenile court judge. Here in Licking County, Judge Deborah G. Lang serves as Licking County’s Probate and Juvenile Court Judge.

History and Jurisdiction

Juvenile courts in Ohio were not created statewide until around 1906. Today, juvenile courts have jurisdiction to hear alleged delinquent, unruly, juvenile traffic, and juvenile tobacco cases, along with alleged abuse, neglect, and dependency cases initiated by a child protective services agency due to concerns and removal of child(ren) from their home because of their condition and/or environment. The juvenile court additionally has jurisdiction to hear private complaints for custody and to hear certain adult criminal cases (misdemeanors only) such as criminal non-support, contributing to the delinquency or unruliness of a child, child endangering, and sexual imposition when the stated victim is a minor child. All adult criminal cases heard by a juvenile court are open to the public.

The term "probate" comes from the Latin word probatio, meaning "to prove", wherein matters in early English religious courts were proven before an ecclesiastical judge. Early American probate courts may be traced back to English Courts of Chancery and ecclesiastical, or religious courts, which had jurisdiction over the probate of wills, administration of estates and guardianships. Today's probate court has jurisdiction to hear over two hundred (200) types of cases, including: the administration of decedent's estates, consent for medical treatment, the appointment of guardians for minors and incapacitated adults and the supervision of their property, civil involuntary commitments of the mentally ill, adoptions, birth record corrections and registrations, changes of name, issuance of marriage licenses, supervision of testamentary trusts (those created by will) and interpretation and enforcement of inter vivos trusts (those created during a person's lifetime), land appropriations, and will constructions and contests. With the exception of adoptions and hearings involving the involuntary hospitalization of the mentally ill, probate court hearings are open to the public, and probate court records are public records.

Mission Statement

The Licking County Probate-Juvenile Court is committed to serving the citizens of Licking County by protecting children and vulnerable populations in the community, rehabilitating youth, and ensuring safety. The Court strives to continuously administer accessible, timely, and impartial services to the families of Licking County and to the community-at-large to inspire public confidence and trust in the judicial system.

Location

The Probate-Juvenile Court is located inside the historic Licking County Courthouse in downtown Newark, Ohio. The entrance to the Courthouse is located at street level on the southeast side (door closest to Wendy's). All persons entering the Courthouse are subject to a search of their person and belongings. The public is not permitted to bring cell phones into the building unless approved by the Judicial Official for medical reasons, evidentiary purposes, etc.