What are Ohio Court Records?

Criminal Cases

These cases involve individuals accused of committing a crime that is considered an offense against the state or society as a whole, even if the crime was committed against a person. In criminal cases, the government (represented by a prosecutor) is the "plaintiff" and brings charges against the accused individual or entity (the "defendant") on behalf of the wronged parties. Defendants have the right to a trial by a jury of their peers, and the burden is on the prosecutor to prove their guilt "beyond reasonable doubt".

Criminal cases in Ohio are categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on the severity of the crime. Felonies are serious criminal offenses like murder, rape, armed robbery, and drug trafficking. They are usually punished with harsh penalties like long jail terms, life imprisonment, and even the death penalty. On the other hand, misdemeanors are less severe criminal offenses that involve lower levels of harm or damage (compared to felonies). Examples include petty theft, minor drug possession, vandalism, minor traffic violations, and disorderly conduct. Penalties for these offenses usually include fines, probation, community service, and short jail terms.

Civil Cases

Civil cases involve disputes between individuals, businesses, or organizations. Unlike criminal cases, which focus on punishments for offenses, the goal of a civil case is to obtain a remedy or compensation for a wrong done to the person who initiated the case. This person, referred to as the plaintiff, must prove their case to the court by a "preponderance of evidence". This means that any evidence the plaintiff brings up must be more convincing and likely true than what the defendant (the opposing party) presents to counter the case. Examples of civil cases include contract disputes, small claims, personal injury claims, family law cases, probate matters, and property disputes.

The Supreme Court of Ohio

The Supreme Court of Ohio is the highest authority in the state's court system and serves as its "court of last resort", meaning that it has the final say on all legal matters in the state. It is composed of six justices and one chief justice, all elected to six-year terms. The court mainly hears appeals from the 12 district Courts of Appeals and state administrative agencies like the Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Tax Appeals.

The Supreme Court has the discretion to choose which cases it will hear; however, it must accept cases involving the death penalty, constitutional questions, and conflicting decisions from lower courts. The Court also has original jurisdiction over specific legal remedies, like writs of habeas corpus and mandamus, that deal with unlawful imprisonment, the obligations of public officials, and abuse or misuse of public office.

In addition to handling appeals and deciding cases, the Supreme Court plays a crucial role in shaping the state's legal landscape. It oversees the admission of attorneys to practice law in Ohio, establishes rules governing court procedures and attorney conduct, and ensures that legal standards are consistently upheld within the court system.

Courts of Appeals

The Ohio Courts of Appeals are intermediate-level courts whose primary function is to review decisions reached in the trial courts. Ohio is split into 12 appellate districts, each with its own Court of Appeals - if someone is unhappy with a trial court's ruling, they can appeal to the appropriate Courts of Appeals. Cases are usually heard by a three-judge panel that may either uphold the trial court's decision, reverse it, or send the case back for further proceedings. It should be pointed out that the Courts of Appeals do not hold trials or hear any new evidence; their decisions are made by reviewing records of the original trial and determining whether mistakes were made that affected its outcome.

Each appellate district has at least four judges who are elected to six-year terms during even-numbered years. These judges must have been admitted to practice law in Ohio for six years before the start of their term. In addition to hearing appeals from trial courts, the Courts of Appeals also have original jurisdiction over issues involving writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, and other similar applications.

The Court of Claims

The Ohio Court of Claims has original jurisdiction over civil cases filed against the state. These include contract disputes, personal injury, property damage, wrongful imprisonment, and appeals from decisions made by the attorney general regarding claims approved under the Victims of Crime Act. A single judge typically presides over these cases; however, complex issues may involve a three-judge panel. Claims involving amounts less than $2,500 are usually resolved administratively by the clerk or a deputy clerk of the court with the option to appeal to a judge, whose decision would be considered final.

Courts of Common Pleas

The Courts of Common Pleas are general jurisdiction trial courts that handle a wide range of criminal and civil cases. Judges in these courts must have at least six years of legal experience and serve six-year terms.

Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a Court of Common Pleas, which is usually divided into four specialized divisions:

• General Division: the general division handles criminal felony cases and civil cases involving disputes over $500; it also has exclusive jurisdiction for matters involving more than $15,000 and may hear appeals over certain state agency decisions.
• Domestic Relations Division: This division handles family law cases, like divorce, legal separation, and child custody.
• Juvenile Division: the Courts of Common Pleas's juvenile division deals with matters involving minors (people under 18). These include juvenile dependency, delinquency, neglect, as well as adult cases involving paternity and child abuse.
• Probate Division: This division has jurisdiction over matters involving wills, estates, guardianships, marriage licenses, and adoptions.

Municipal and County Courts

Ohio Municipal and County Courts are limited jurisdiction courts that serve specific areas within the state. These courts typically handle misdemeanors and other lower-level cases, such as traffic violations and civil disputes that do not involve more than $15,000; they can also handle preliminary hearings for felony cases and officiate marriages.

Municipal and County Court judges are elected to six-year terms and must be attorneys with at least six years of experience. It is worth noting that some judges in these courts serve part-time.

Mayor's Courts

Mayor's Courts typically handle local ordinance and state traffic law infractions within their respective areas of jurisdiction (usually municipalities with a population of more than 200 that do not have a Municipal Court). While the Mayor's Courts are not part of Ohio's formal court system (and do not maintain official records), they must submit statistical data to the Supreme Court quarterly and annually.

Mayors can either preside over a Mayor's Court (only Ohio and Louisiana currently allow this) or appoint an attorney with three years of experience. It should be noted that the Mayors do not need any legal qualifications to perform this duty, and convictions in a Mayor's Court can be appealed to a Municipal or County Court with appropriate jurisdiction.