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For more information or
to volunteer please call
1.877.4SIKORA
(1.877.474.5672) |
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-Download Headshot- Judge Peter M. Sikora is running for Ohio Supreme Court Justice because he feels passionately that our system of government works best when there are checks and balances. He doesn’t think any citizen is served well by a one-party (Republican) court. As Supreme Court Justice, Judge Sikora will serve with integrity, restoring balance and putting the Constitution first to protect all Ohioans.
Peter Sikora has served the people of Cuyahoga County as a Judge of Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, with distinction for over 19 years. Judge Sikora was elected to the Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in 2002 and re-elected in 2004. He is currently President of the Association.
Prior to his appointment to the bench, Peter Sikora served as Deputy Director and General Counsel for the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Deputy Legal Counsel to Governor Richard Celeste and judicial law clerk for the Ohio Court of Appeals. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Baldwin-Wallace College (Summa Cum Laude) and Cuyahoga Community College.
Judge Sikora has served on a number of boards including Break Out Fitness Centers, The Cleveland Ballet, Youth Challenge, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland, Services for Independent Living, Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, International Services Center and Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation. He also has served on the Visiting Law Committee of the Case Western Reserve University School of Law, the WVIZ Public Television Community Advisory Board and the Cuyahoga County Restorative Justice Committee.
In 1996, Judge Sikora was the Democratic Nominee for Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. His campaign focused on the need for campaign finance reform and restoration of confidence in the judicial process.
Judge Sikora is a frequent lecturer at schools and community groups, makes regular appearances on radio and television programs and is often quoted in print articles. He has also authored numerous published opinions. |
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> Innovative Policies and Programs
Judge Sikora actively works to confront the impacts of crime from every aspect:
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- Deterring recidivism with a scared straight program for female offenders
- Forcing parents to take responsibility
- Ordering fathers to establish paternity and pay child support
- Requiring parents to attend school with their truant children
- Requiring the posting of cash bonds to insure compliance with probation
- Helping victims receive compensation
- Requiring juveniles to pay for victims’ injuries and losses including the purchase of anti-theft devices for victims of auto theft
- Making offenders provide community restitution
- Numerous community service projects such as the Fifth of July Edgewater Park cleanup, OSU Extension community gardens, Salvation Army holiday turkeys, U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots and Red Cross blood donations
- Probation Contract signed in court by juveniles and parents
- Established a Jury of Peers Educational Program
- Minimizing gang violence by requiring the surgical removal of gang tattoos
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> Awards
Judge Sikora was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Persons with Disabilities in 1995 and has been widely recognized for his service, including:
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- 2007 “Triad Advocate of the Year”, Adoption Network Cleveland
- 2004 Society of Benchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law
- 2003 “Excellence in Government Award”, Cudell Improvement, Inc.
- 2002 “Citizen of Distinction” Award, Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland, Inc.
- 2001 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Ohio Association of Community Colleges
- 2001 “Project Restoration” Recognition Award, Clergy United for Juvenile Justice, Inc.
- 1999 and 1990 Outstanding Public Official of the Year Award, Federation of German-American Societies
- 1998 Community Award, MetroHealth Center for Rehabilitation
- 1996 Distinguished Alumnus Award, St. Ignatius High School
- 1991 Outstanding Citizen Award, National Council on Disability
- 1989 Distinguished Recent Graduate Award, Case Western Reserve University School of Law Alumni Association.
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> A Record of Leadership
During his tenure as Administrative Judge, the Court:
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- Became the first in the nation to be fully accredited (detention, probation and administration) by the American Correctional Association
- Consistently balanced its budget and greatly improved caseflow management
- Implemented a custody mediation program with the Cuyahoga County Bar Association
- Launched a new Juvenile Information Management System
- Added the Office of Community Service/Victim Aid
- Implemented a pilot truancy mediation program with the Cleveland Bar Association
- Expanded the Juvenile Drug Court to include a Family Court for cases of abuse, neglect and dependency
- Improved efficiency and increased accountability of court staff with numerous administrative changes
- Created evening reporting centers
- Recognized SEIU Local 47 as employee bargaining agent
- Developed the program plan for the new Youth Intervention Center
- Worked with local communities to develop juvenile diversion programs
- Engaged in the County’s Comprehensive Strategy for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
- Participated in numerous interagency collaborations
- Requested and implemented the recommendations of a state performance audit
- Initiated planning of a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program
- Proposed a countywide Youth Services Coordinating Council
- Conducted the court’s first Strategic Planning Session
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