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Judicial Branch Education Resources

Under Advisement is an engaging new program created by the Supreme Court of Ohio in an effort to reach high school students across Ohio and strengthen their understanding of Ohio’s court system. Over three or four class sessions, teachers will lead students through an in-depth study of an already-decided Ohio Supreme Court case utilizing original materials, including video recordings of Supreme Court oral arguments and written documents on the Supreme Court’s online case docket. Case previews and decision summaries written to high school Lexile reading levels are also included in the educator and student resource guides.

The lessons are free and were designed to align with Ohio’s Learning Standards for the High School American Government Curriculum (adopted 2018). To provide a real-world connection to the legal profession and courtroom, the Court encourages teachers to contact a local judge or attorney to help teach some or all of the sessions. Information on contacting an attorney is included in the Educator Resource Guide.

NOTE: Educators should email UnderAdvisementResources@sc.ohio.gov with their name and school/organization to request access to the Educator Resource Guide.*

*If you do not receive an email response within one hour, please call the Civic Education Office at 614.387.9223 during weekday business hours.

Civil Case: Rebecca Buddenberg v. Robert K. Weisdack et al., Case no. 2018-1209

Rebecca Buddenberg worked in the finance department for the Geauga County Board of Health. She reported unequal pay practices and potential ethical violations by her supervisor, County Health Commissioner Robert K. Weisdack. After the report, Weisdack allegedly began to retaliate against Buddenberg. She resigned her job and filed a federal lawsuit against Weisdack and others seeking to recover financial compensation. She is alleging her employers committed several state crimes when retaliating against her. The Ohio Supreme Court is asked to determine if a civil lawsuit based on a criminal act requires a conviction before the civil case can proceed in court.

Educator Resource Guide  |  Student Resource Guide

Criminal Case: State of Ohio v. Jaonte D. Hairston, Case no. 2017-1505

Two Columbus police officers heard several gunshots while responding to a call on the southeast side of the city. After driving in the direction they thought the shots came from, they encountered Jaonte Hairston, a 23-year-old Black man, as he walked into a crosswalk talking on his cell phone. He was the only person in the area, and the officers approached him with guns drawn. After placing his hands behind his back, Hairston notified the officers that he had a loaded pistol in his front jacket pocket. Hairston was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. The Ohio Supreme Court is asked to decide if the officers had reasonable suspicion to stop and search Hairston, and thereby charge him with the concealed-carry offense.

Educator Resource Guide  |  Student Resource Guide

Civil Case: County of Wayne et. al. v. Ricky Baker, administrator, Case no. 2014-2079

A teenage driver, 17-year-old Kelli Baker, was involved in a fatal car crash while driving on a county road that was repaved days prior to her accident. Baker’s family filed a lawsuit claiming that Wayne County was negligent in its repair of the road, which led to her death. The Ohio Supreme Court is asked to decide if the county has immunity based on a state law that protects political subdivisions from such lawsuits.

Educator Resource Guide |  Student Resource Guide

Criminal Case: City of Cleveland v. Benjamin S. Oles, Case nos. 2016-0172 and 2016-0282

Benjamin Oles was placed in the front seat of a cruiser after being pulled over by an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper. While seated in the cruiser’s front seat, Oles admitted to consuming four alcoholic drinks at a wedding he had just left. The trooper arrested Oles after he failed a field sobriety test. However, at no point was Oles read his Miranda rights. The Ohio Supreme Court is asked to decide whether a law enforcement officer is required to provide Miranda warnings to a suspect removed from a vehicle and placed in the front seat of a police vehicle for questioning.

Educator Resource Guide  |  Student Resource Guide

In 1973, Hugo Zacchini sued the Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Company for filming the entirety of his 15-second human cannonball act. Scripps-Howard argued they were protected by the First Amendment, which allows for free exercise of the press.

This lesson culminates in a mock trial where students act out the various roles - judge, attorneys, witnesses, and others - and decide the outcome of the case.

The following lesson plans are free, aligned with Ohio's Learning Standards, and are meant to help students better understand Ohio's court system, while also using evidence to support their arguments.

Educators will use videos, worksheets, evidence, and other resources to lead students in activities and discussions about Hugo Zacchini's real-life case that made its way through Ohio's court system.

NOTE: Educators should email HumanCannonball@sc.ohio.gov with their name and school/organization to request access to the Lesson Plan.*

*If you do not receive an email response within one hour, please call the Civic Education Office at 614.387.9223 during weekday business hours.

Elementary: Grades 4 & 5

Elementary Lesson Plan | Student Script

Middle School: Grades 6-8

Middle School Lesson Plan | Student Script

The title of this series, Ohio’s Pride, comes from the phrase used to describe the Moyer Judicial Center when it first opened in 1933 as the Ohio State Office Building. Artwork throughout the building celebrates Ohio’s rich history, the achievements of its citizens, and the dignity of its cultural and manufactured resources.

The following lesson plans are free, align with Ohio’s Learning Standards, and are meant to employ the building’s historical resources to engage students across Ohio.

Transportation and Technology in Ohio

Educators will use original murals painted by Ohio artist H.H. Wessel on display in the Moyer Judicial Center to lead students through activities and discussions exploring technological innovations and transportation in Ohio.

Educators should email OhiosPride@sc.ohio.gov with their name and school/organization to request access to the lesson plan. If you do not receive an email response within one hour, please call the Civic Education Office at 614.387.9223 during weekday business hours.

Download Plan

Contact Information

Civic Education Section
Supreme Court of Ohio
65 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215-3431

Civic Education & Outreach Manager:
Doug Stein

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