Who catches a court mistake before families live with the consequences? Cleveland 13’s expanding investigation examines records from three Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations cases involving Judge Colleen Ann Reali. An appeals court identified a legal error but upheld a protection order, another case contains conflicting accounts of who was protected, and a third shows substantial judicial revision. Together, they raise urgent questions about how court findings are checked and

There is an expectation inside every courtroom that does not require much explanation. That people are expected to tell the truth. Witnesses swear to it, litigants sign affidavits under oath, attorneys can face serious consequences for knowingly misleading the court, and judges routinely determine whether someone’s explanation is credible by comparing their words against documents, recordings and testimony.

Official Cuyahoga County Board of Elections records show “Colleen Reali” signing into the Board of Elections at 1:21 p.m. that same afternoon, January 12th, and signing out at 1:33 p.m. The election records also show that January 12th was the day Reali filed her candidacy paperwork seeking another six-year term. The Board of Elections currently lists the November 3, 2026 general-election candidate information through its official candidate's page. Board of Election Sign-In Sh

A Cleveland 13 investigation into Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court uncovers systemic questions of power, political influence, and unchecked discretion. Backed by insider whistleblowers, audio recordings, and court records, the findings reach far beyond one former judge. Join the Cuyahoga County Family Court Accountability Project rally outside the courthouse this October, followed by the premiere of our full investigative exposé. Read the evidence and decide for yours