How Do We Navigate the Tension Between Cities and Municipal Courts?

March 18th, 2025, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode

Brought to You in Cooperation with the National Association for Court Management

The relationship between cities and their municipal courts is often marked by underlying tension. While courts must function independently, their close ties to city governments can create friction over revenue, resources, and oversight.

Underfunded municipal courts frequently struggle with case backlogs, understaffing, and limited access to justice. Judicial independence and the autonomy of other elected officials, such as the Clerk of Court, can also be at risk when city governments exert influence over judicial appointments, salaries, or case outcomes. This interference undermines the courts’ ability to serve as impartial arbiters of the law.

This month we will explore the tension between cities and municipal courts. We will also discuss how municipal courts can navigate these challenges.

Listen to the March 18, 2025, CLA Podcast Episode on your way to or from work. 19 Minutes 5 Seconds

Watch the March 18, 2025, CLA Podcast Episode on YouTube. 20 Minutes 2 Seconds

Today’s Panel

Lori M. Tyack was born in Central Ohio and has lived in Franklin County her entire life. The daughter of an airline technician and a homemaker, Lori attended Whitehall City Schools. Lori is a proud graduate of the Columbus State Community College paralegal program and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Dominican University.

As part of her continuing education, Lori attended classes offered by The Ohio Supreme Court and The National Center for State Courts. Through these efforts, she has achieved recognition as a Certified Court Manager, Certified Court Executive, and Institute for Court Management Fellow.
Lori was elected as the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk in 2005 and reelected in 2011 and 2017. She has worked to modernize the Franklin County Municipal Court by implementing an E-Filing program and introducing electronic workflows to work towards a paperless court environment.
Lori has met with various community groups to educate them about the Clerk’s Office. She has led several public service projects, including Safe Surrender, Driver’s License Reinstatement Workshop, and the Office has participated in Record Sealing and Expungement Clinics.

MiHa Kapaki has been in district court for 7 years and currently serves as the Court Administrator and Probation Director for Grays Harbor County District Court in Montesano, Washington. Embracing her Hawaiian culture, she loves to perform Polynesian dances and songs. Independently raising her 5 boys, you will often hear her from the stands cheering for them at every sporting event.

Lizzie M. Alipaz is the Clerk of Court for the Municipal Court in the Town of Timnath, Colorado. She fluently speaks Spanish, English, German, and Portuguese. She received her Juris Doctor Degree from Universidad Católica Boliviana and Universidad Privada de Bolivia.