Articles - Sharon L. Kennedy

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon L. Kennedy visited the Senior Citizens Center in Harrison County on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.

During her visit, Justice Kennedy engaged members in a discussion on the Ohio judicial system. She spoke to them about Ohio's three branches of government, focusing on the judicial branch and the specific responsibilities of the Ohio Supreme Court.

"Understanding the judicial system begins with understanding the three branches of government and how they interact," Justice Kennedy said. She went on to discuss the process of laws being created when citizens let their voice be heard through their elected legislators, and the executive branch's responsibility to enforce those laws.

Justice Kennedy emphasized how critical it is for herself and others in the judicial branch to maintain constitutional balance and respect the people's voice by merely interpreting the laws rather than legislating from the bench.

"If the judicial branch usurps the authority of the legislative branch, it is as if the people's voice was never heard," she said.

Justice Kennedy is serving her first term on the Supreme Court of Ohio. Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kennedy served on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division from 1999 to 2012. Justice Kennedy served as the administrative judge there from 2005 until December 2012. Justice Kennedy began her career in the justice system as a police officer in Hamilton, Ohio. She received her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.