Housing Court Departments & Leadership
Cleveland Housing Court has four departments that work together to successfully serve the citizens of Cleveland and Bratenahl.
The Administrative Department
The Administrative Department of Cleveland Housing Court is led by a dynamic team committed to excellence in court operations, human resources, and public service. Under the leadership of our Court Administrator and Deputy Court Administrator/Human Resources Director, Tanya Jones, the department ensures the efficient functioning of the court through strategic oversight, legal expertise, and a people-centred approach.
The Housing Court Specialists Department
Led by Chief Housing Specialist Markell Davis, the specialists are a unique part of Housing Court, as this department is comprised of court employees who work as probation officers and who also offer information and assistance in housing matters with the City of Cleveland.
The Magistrates Department
The experienced magistrates who make up this department, alongside staff attorneys and coordinators, hear and rule on civil cases, conduct research and interface with case participants regarding hearing dates, evidence, etc.
The Bailiff Department
A team of law enforcement professionals responsible for the safety and security of the Cleveland Housing Court, its employees and the public that it serves. Court bailiffs are authorized to provide physical enforcement to execute all official court orders, service court documentation, conduct evictions to retrieve properties of landlords, and provide a level of security that ensures a safe environment in which to conduct court business.
Cleveland Housing Court Leadership Staff
Personal Bailiff to Judge Cheryl M. Wiltshire
Diana Maldonado serves as Personal Bailiff at the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court. She brings more than two decades of experience in court administration and judicial support, including prior service with the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court, the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court, and the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision
Throughout her career, Diana has supported judicial leadership through project coordination, scheduling, research, and administrative operations. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and is known for her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and deep institutional knowledge.
Deputy Court Administrator/HR Director
Chief Magistrate
Chief Bailiff
Chief Housing Court Specialist
Chief of Information Technology
Anthony Crespo is the Chief of Information Technology for Cleveland Housing Court. Anthony served the city of Cleveland with the courts for six years before accepting this role. First, he was a Records Manager for the Criminal Division, before joining Housing Court as a Deputy Bailiff. He was born and raised in Garfield Heights, attended Ohio State University, and has his two-year Associates Degree from Cuyahoga Community College. He has worked on the implementation of the Odyssey Case Management System since the project's inception, serving as a lead documenter and Subject Matter Expert for both Housing Court and the Criminal Division. He enjoys running, making people happy, telling stories, traveling, the Cleveland Browns, and 360° windmill dunking on a 10-foot-high hoop.
Chief of Social Worker
Cleveland Housing Court Specialists
Housing Specialists are court employees with expertise in and knowledge about laws that affect housing issues, mediation, the eviction process, community concerns and complaints, home repairs, housing renovation, housing inspections, and the criminal housing court process. Housing Court Specialists are considered Probation Officers and Mediators and receive extensive training from the Ohio Supreme Court.
Housing Specialists are NOT attorneys and CANNOT offer legal advice or representation. They CAN, however, provide landlords, tenants, and property owners with information about the law and court procedures. The specialists also operate the Cleveland Housing Court Clinic.
The Clinic operates on the first floor of the Justice Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A Spanish speaking specialist is available Monday (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Friday (12:30 to 3:30 p.m.)
Some of the primary duties and responsibilities are provided below:
- Operate the Cleveland Housing Court Clinic
- Provide Probation services for the Criminal Court docket
- Determine eligibility for the criminal diversion program (SIP)
- Provide investigative services and reporting for sentencing in criminal cases
- Inform and educate citizens about the Criminal Code Enforcement process
- Provide Mediation services during Civil proceedings
- Inform and educate the community about the Eviction Process & Rent deposits
- Act as a liaison to Utility Companies concerning Shut-Offs
- Educate and assist the community with the Temporary Restraining Order process
- Respond to inquiries from the community via telephone, email and in person
- Community Outreach and collaboration with various agencies
