Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor gives address related to the State of the Judiciary for 2011. The remarks were delivered to a full house of more than 300 judges from across Ohio at the Ohio Judicial Conference 2011 Annual Meeting at the Hilton Polaris Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

Chief Justice O'Connor announced the formation of a new joint task force to study the application of the death penalty in Ohio and called on Ohio's judges to come together during these difficult economic times to continue to improve the administration of justice in the state. She outlined some specific areas where efforts should be focused, including judicial selection, judicial qualifications, improving diversity on the bench and bar, and addressing the current budgetary challenges.

In addition, Chief Justice O'Connor reported that a task force on the judicial budget that she announced in January will soon begin its work to assist courts to "examine cost cutting ideas while ensuring the continued fair and efficient administration of justice."