Darke County, OH Courts and Public Records
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- Federal Dockets
The Court of Common Pleas in Darke County is the county's general trial court. It hears felony, general civil, domestic relations, probate and juvenile matters, depending on the divisions the county has.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Court of Common Pleas, Darke County |
| Court Divisions | General, domestic relations, probate and juvenile divisions, depending on the county |
| Handles | Felony cases and general civil cases, plus divorce, custody, probate and juvenile matters where the county has those divisions |
| Does NOT Handle | Misdemeanors, traffic and smaller civil matters, which are generally heard in municipal or county courts; federal cases, which go to the U.S. District Court for Ohio |
| Court Records | The Clerk of Courts of Darke County keeps the Court of Common Pleas records |
| Statewide Court Information | supremecourt.ohio.gov |
How to Search Darke County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search Darke County court records.
Online
Check with the Clerk of Courts for Darke County about any online case search.
Search by name or case number if the clerk offers online access.
Confirm any fees with the clerk before you pay.
Best for: Quick lookups when online access is available
In Person
Go to the Clerk of Courts office at the county courthouse.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of Courts office for your county.
Ask which records are available and what the clerk needs from you.
Confirm access before you visit in person.
Best for: Checking availability before a visit
Search by Name on OhioCourts.org
Go to OhioCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Darke County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
Darke County's Court of Common Pleas received 1,712 filings in CY 2025 and ended 1,694 (dispositions), a clearance rate of 98.9%. Filings fell 5.6% from CY 2024.
1,712
Total filings in CY 2025
1,694
Total dispositions in CY 2025
~571
Filings per judicial position (3 estimated positions)
-5.6%
Change in total filings vs CY 2024
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 1,712 | 1,814 | -5.6% |
| Total Dispositions | 1,694 | 1,825 | -7.2% |
| Criminal Filings | 285 | 326 | -12.6% |
| Civil Filings | 341 | 315 | +8.3% |
| Family Law Filings | 363 | 398 | -8.8% |
| Probate Filings | ~196 | ~208 | ~-5.6% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~49 | ~52 | ~-5.6% |
| Juvenile Filings | 723 | 775 | -6.7% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~3 | ~3 | ~+0.0% |
The largest movement was in juvenile filings (775 to 723); rows marked ~ are estimates, and the figures cover Common Pleas courts only.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Darke County?
Filings in Darke County's Court of Common Pleas rose 6.9% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 1,601 to 1,712. The highest year was CY 2023 (1,860) and the lowest was CY 2021 (1,601).
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 1,712 | 1,694 | -5.6% |
| CY 2024 | 1,814 | 1,825 | -2.5% |
| CY 2023 | 1,860 | 1,846 | +6.7% |
| CY 2022 | 1,744 | 1,739 | +8.9% |
| CY 2021 | 1,601 | 1,496 | ~+2.2% |
Total filings rose 6.9% over five years, from 1,601 in CY 2021 to 1,712 in CY 2025. The largest annual change was +8.9% in CY 2022. The latest change of -5.6% was driven by juvenile filings, and dispositions were 1,694 against 1,712 filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Darke County?
Juvenile cases are the largest category in Darke County, at 36.9% of filings in CY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 285 | 14.6% | -12.6% |
| Civil | 341 | 17.4% | +8.3% |
| Family law | 363 | 18.6% | -8.8% |
| Probate | ~196 | ~10.0% | ~-5.6% |
| Juvenile | 723 | 36.9% | -6.7% |
| Mental health | ~49 | ~2.5% | ~-5.6% |
Civil cases grew fastest (+8.3%) and criminal cases fell fastest (-12.6%); rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Does Darke County Compare With Ohio Overall?
Darke County accounted for 0.36% of the 474,127 Common Pleas filings in Ohio in CY 2025, with 33.2 cases per 1,000 residents against 39.8 statewide.
| Metric | Darke County | Ohio | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 1,712 | 474,127 | 0.36% of Ohio's total |
| YoY change in filings | -5.6% | -0.4% | Slower than the state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~571 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~565 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Criminal share of filings | 16.6% | 17.1% | Below the state share |
| Civil share of filings | 19.9% | 27.8% | Below the state share |
| Family law share of filings | 21.2% | 19.7% | Above the state share |
Darke County files cases at a lower rate per resident than Ohio (33.2 against 39.8 per 1,000), and its filings fell 5.6% against -0.4% statewide. Its criminal and civil shares of filings are both below the state's; rows marked ~ are estimates.
Darke County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Ohio statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Darke County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 10.8% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 93.5% of Ohio's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
32,060
Violent crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025
163,774
Property crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
269.4
Violent crime rate per 100K, Ohio statewide, 2025 (population 11,900,510)
-10.8%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (195,834 vs 219,526)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 550 | 4.6 | 617 | -10.9% |
| Rape | 5,299 | 44.5 | 5,839 | -9.2% |
| Robbery | 4,647 | 39.0 | 5,671 | -18.1% |
| Aggravated assault | 21,564 | 181.2 | 22,847 | -5.6% |
| Violent crimes total | 32,060 | 269.4 | 34,974 | -8.3% |
| Burglary | 21,661 | 182.0 | 24,274 | -10.8% |
| Larceny-theft | 120,054 | 1008.8 | 133,334 | -10.0% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 21,250 | 178.6 | 25,883 | -17.9% |
| Property crimes total | 163,774 | 1376.2 | 184,552 | -11.3% |
Rates use the Ohio 2025 population of 11,900,510. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Darke County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Darke County Courthouse Locations
Darke County court proceedings are held at the Darke County Courthouse (Clerk's Office). Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darke County Courthouse (Clerk's Office) | 504 S. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331 | 937-547-7335 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Darke County?
Most Darke County cases go to the Court of Common Pleas or to municipal and county courts, depending on the case type. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Ohio.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Municipal or County Court | Check the court named on your ticket and the date printed on it. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are generally handled outside the court, so follow the issuing agency's instructions. |
| Misdemeanor | Municipal or County Court | Misdemeanors and smaller criminal charges are generally heard in these courts. |
| Felony | Court of Common Pleas, criminal division | Felony charges are heard in the Court of Common Pleas. |
| DUI | Municipal or County Court, or Court of Common Pleas | Check the charge on your paperwork, since misdemeanor and felony DUI go to different courts. |
| Domestic violence | Municipal or County Court, or Court of Common Pleas | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, so check the charge on your paperwork. |
| Civil lawsuit | Court of Common Pleas | Larger civil cases generally go to the Court of Common Pleas, and smaller claims go to municipal or county courts. |
| Small claims | Municipal or County Court | Small claims are generally heard in municipal or county courts, so confirm with the Clerk of Courts. |
| Eviction | Municipal or County Court | Eviction cases are generally heard in municipal or county courts. |
| Divorce | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations division | Domestic relations cases are heard where the county has that division. |
| Child custody or support | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations division | Confirm with the Clerk of Courts which division handles custody and support in Darke County. |
| Probate or estate | Probate division or probate court | Probate matters go to the probate division where the county has one. |
| Juvenile case | Court of Common Pleas, juvenile division | Juvenile cases go to the juvenile division where the county has one, and juvenile records are restricted. |
| Appeal | Court of Appeals, then Supreme Court of Ohio | Appeals from trial courts go to the Court of Appeals, and some may go on to the Supreme Court of Ohio. |
Are Darke County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Darke County court records are public, with exceptions. Ohio's Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43) and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Rules 44 to 47) govern access to court records.
Public records
Most court records held by the Clerk of Courts of Darke County are open to the public under these rules.
Restricted or confidential records
Sealed, expunged, juvenile and other restricted records are not public.
Online access
Ask the Clerk of Courts office which records, if any, can be searched online. Online access may not include every document.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Darke County courthouse to view or request records. Call ahead to confirm which office holds your case.
Fees
Ask the Clerk of Courts about copy fees for the records you need.
How to Search Darke County Court Records Online
Use the court's online search where it is available, and ask the Clerk of Courts for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate or juvenile.
- Ask the Clerk of Courts for Darke County which online search, if any, covers your case type.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details, such as status and scheduled dates, where the clerk makes them available online.
- Ask the Clerk of Courts for documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Clerk of Courts, or the municipal or county court that heard the case | Case status and docket information where available | Documents may need a clerk request |
| Traffic | Municipal or County Court that issued the ticket | Case status where the court makes it available | Payment may be handled separately from record search |
| Civil | Clerk of Courts for Court of Common Pleas cases | Case information, parties and filings where available | Sealed or restricted filings are not public |
| Small claims | Municipal or County Court clerk | Case information where available | Confirm access with the clerk |
| Family law | Clerk of Courts, domestic relations division | Case information where available | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Probate division or probate court | Estate and guardianship files | Contact the probate office for access |
| Juvenile | Juvenile division clerk | Case information through the clerk only | Juvenile records are restricted and not public |
Official statewide court information is available at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Darke County
Payment options for fines and citations in Darke County are set by the court that issued the case, so contact that court to confirm which methods it accepts.
Traffic citations, criminal fines and parking tickets are handled separately. Ask the court named on your citation which payment methods apply to your case, and confirm any amount owed with the clerk before you pay.
Parking tickets are generally handled by the agency that issued them, not by the court.
Darke County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Darke County court records?
Contact the Clerk of Courts for Darke County, in person or by phone, and ask which search options are available. Have a full name or case number ready.
Are Darke County court records public?
Most are public under the Ohio Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43), but sealed, expunged and juvenile records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Ask the Clerk of Courts for the court that handled the case, since misdemeanors are often heard in municipal or county courts.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation, then contact the court that issued it or the Clerk of Courts.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Contact the court named on your ticket to confirm which payment methods it accepts.
How many cases are filed in Darke County each year?
County filing counts are not published on this page. The county population was 51,520 in 2025, rose 75 from 51,445 in 2024.
What is the most common type of case in Darke County?
County case-type counts are not published on this page, so no ranking is given.
Is crime in Darke County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 8.3% to 32,060 in 2025 from 34,974 in 2024, and property crimes fell 11.3% to 163,774 from 184,552, as reported to the FBI. These are Ohio statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Darke County Common Pleas CourtMore Info
| Address: | 504 South Broadway, 2nd Floor, Greenville, OH, 45331 |
| Phone Number: | 937-547-7325 |
| Fax: | 937-547-7323 |
| Website: | http://darkecountycommonpleas.com/ |
Darke County Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 504 South Broadway, Darke County, OH, 45331 |
| Website: | https://www.darkecourts.com/courts_index.html |
Useful Links
- Darke County Common Pleas Court - General Division Access court records and information on civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings in Darke County.
- Darke County Probate Juvenile Court Offers resources and forms for probate, juvenile, and family court cases in Darke County, Ohio.
- The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System Provides statewide legal resources, court rules, and opinions from the highest court in Ohio.
- Ohio Court Jurisdiction Explains the jurisdiction of Ohio courts, including common pleas, municipal, and county courts.
- Online Case Information Supreme Court of Ohio Search for case information and dockets in the Ohio Supreme Court's Electronic Case Management System.
- Ohio Legal Help - Court Help Provides guides, forms, and resources for navigating the Ohio court system, including local county courts.
- Ohio Probate Courts Comprehensive directory and resources for finding probate court services throughout Ohio counties.
- Ohio State Bar Association Offers legal resources, attorney directories, and information about the practice of law in Ohio.
- Ohio Department of Health Access vital records such as births, deaths, and marriages which may be needed for court cases.
- Ohio CASA/GAL Association Provides advocacy resources for children in the court system in Ohio, including guardian ad litem support.
- Darke County Ohio Official Website Access a variety of county services including clerk of court, real estate, tax, and public records information.
- Ohio Criminal Justice Services Provides information on crime prevention, statistics, and state resources for criminal justice initiatives.
- Ohio Secretary of State Access business filings, records, and voter information relevant to legal cases in Ohio.
- Interactive Constitution - US Courts Educational resource detailing the U.S. Constitution and its application in courts, including Ohio.
- Ohio State Appellate Court Opinions Search and access opinions from Ohio's appellate courts, a crucial resource for legal research.
- Ohio Pro Bono Portal Access free legal services and resources for qualifying individuals needing legal aid in Ohio courts.
- Ohio Domestic Violence Network Provides support and resources for individuals facing domestic violence, including legal assistance.
- Immigrant Affairs Network of Ohio Offers legal and community resources for immigrants engaging with Ohio's legal and court systems.
- Online Databases Ohio Explore a wide range of public records databases available for legal and civic research in Ohio.
- Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System Opinions Database of opinions from Ohio's Courts, providing valuable insight and precedent for legal cases.
Table of Contents
- Darke County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Darke County Court Records
- Darke County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Darke County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Darke County?
- How Does Darke County Compare With Ohio Overall?
- Darke County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Darke County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Darke County?
- Are Darke County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Darke County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Darke County
- Darke County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links