Ohio Courts & Courthouses We Serve

An incorporated location with a population of more than 200 may establish a mayor’s court where the mayor acts as the judge. They typically hear traffic offenses and other violations of municipal ordinances with certain limitations.

Mayor’s courts typically have concurrent jurisdiction with an Ohio municipal or county court, and the cases are often transferred.

A domestic relations court is a specialized Ohio family court system that handles legal matters related to families and domestic partnerships. These can include divorce, child custody and child support, spousal support or alimony, adoption, paternity, and domestic violence.

Domestic relations courts are typically part of a larger court system, such as an Ohio common pleas court. The specific procedures and rules for domestic relations courts vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

A juvenile court, also known as a young offender’s court or children’s court, is a specialized court system that deals with legal matters involving minors. It plays a role in addressing delinquency, dependency or neglect, and status offenses. Juvenile courts differ from adult courts in that they focus on rehabilitation. They are less adversarial, meaning the goal is collaboration instead of punishment.

Additionally, there is confidentiality in Ohio juvenile court cases. Most juvenile proceedings are confidential to protect the privacy of the minor involved. The public and media have limited access to information about juvenile cases.

Each court typically has a list of necessary court forms and court fees in their court rules and online. Additionally, many court forms can be found on the Supreme Court of Ohio All Forms website. This web page is searchable and has some forms in multiple languages.

The specifics of what you can expect in court proceedings will vary depending on the type of case you’re involved in, the jurisdiction, and even the individual judge.

Before any hearing, you should prepare by gathering relevant documents and following your attorney’s instructions carefully. Dress professionally and respectfully. Try to arrive on time to allow for security screening. During the security screening, you will walk through a metal detector and place your belongings on a counter to be examined.

While in the courtroom, you should be respectful. Stand when the judge enters and leaves the courtroom. Address the judge as “Your Honor.” The judge will explain all Ohio legal proceedings to the parties. Listen carefully and be calm. Court proceedings can be unpredictable and may last longer than expected. Be prepared for delays and bring necessary items like reading material or snacks.

Every court has a different method of finding records. Most civil and criminal court records are available online. However, if you are looking for domestic relations or juvenile case records, they may not be readily available to the public. You may have to request them from the clerk of courts directly or ask your attorney to get them for you.

Filing a case in Ohio court can be complex and requires that you meet certain deadlines with specific documents. You must determine your eligibility for court action, choose the correct court, and gather evidence and documentation. Then, you need to draft a complaint or petition, file your case (usually online), and pay the required fees. Don’t forget to serve the other party.