Mercer County, OH Courts and Public Records
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The Court of Common Pleas in Mercer County is the county's general trial court. It keeps its court records through the Clerk of Courts, while misdemeanors, traffic cases, and smaller civil claims are handled by municipal and county courts.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Court of Common Pleas, Mercer County |
| Records Kept By | Clerk of Courts, Mercer County |
| Handles | General division cases, including felonies, and domestic relations, probate, and juvenile divisions where the county has them |
| Does NOT Handle | Misdemeanors, traffic, and smaller civil matters (municipal and county courts); federal cases (U.S. District Court for the Ohio); claims against the state (Court of Claims) |
| Statewide Information | supremecourt.ohio.gov |
How to Search Mercer County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search Mercer County court records.
Online
Go to supremecourt.ohio.gov for official court information.
Check court and clerk contact details before you visit or call.
Ask the clerk whether an online case search covers your court.
Best for: Confirming which court and clerk handle your case
In Person
Go to the Clerk of Courts office for the court that holds your case.
Bring the full name, case number, and approximate dates if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of Courts office for the court that holds your case.
Have the full name and case number ready before you call.
Ask the clerk what records are available and what fees apply.
Best for: Confirming case details with the clerk
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
Mercer County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
Mercer County's Court of Common Pleas received 1,128 filings in CY 2025 and ended 1,108 (dispositions), a clearance rate of 98.2%. Filings fell 3.3% from CY 2024.
1,128
Total filings in CY 2025
1,108
Total dispositions in CY 2025
~564
Filings per judicial position (2 estimated positions)
-3.3%
Change in total filings vs CY 2024
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 1,128 | 1,166 | -3.3% |
| Total Dispositions | 1,108 | 1,167 | -5.1% |
| Criminal Filings | 168 | 151 | +11.3% |
| Civil Filings | 177 | 140 | +26.4% |
| Family Law Filings | 219 | 203 | +7.9% |
| Probate Filings | ~142 | ~147 | ~-3.3% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~35 | ~37 | ~-3.3% |
| Juvenile Filings | 564 | 672 | -16.1% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~2 | ~2 | ~+0.0% |
The largest movement was in juvenile filings (672 to 564); rows marked ~ are estimates, and the figures cover Common Pleas courts only.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Mercer County?
Filings in Mercer County's Court of Common Pleas fell 18.4% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 1,383 to 1,128. The highest year was CY 2023 (1,400) and the lowest was CY 2025 (1,128).
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 1,128 | 1,108 | -3.3% |
| CY 2024 | 1,166 | 1,167 | -16.7% |
| CY 2023 | 1,400 | 1,370 | +0.2% |
| CY 2022 | 1,397 | 1,401 | +1.0% |
| CY 2021 | 1,383 | 1,434 | ~+2.2% |
Total filings fell 18.4% over five years, from 1,383 in CY 2021 to 1,128 in CY 2025. The largest annual change was -16.7% in CY 2024. The latest change of -3.3% was driven by juvenile filings, and dispositions were 1,108 against 1,128 filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Mercer County?
Juvenile cases are the largest category in Mercer County, at 43.2% of filings in CY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 168 | 12.9% | +11.3% |
| Civil | 177 | 13.6% | +26.4% |
| Family law | 219 | 16.8% | +7.9% |
| Probate | ~142 | ~10.9% | ~-3.3% |
| Juvenile | 564 | 43.2% | -16.1% |
| Mental health | ~35 | ~2.7% | ~-3.3% |
Civil cases grew fastest (+26.4%) and juvenile cases fell fastest (-16.1%); rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Does Mercer County Compare With Ohio Overall?
Mercer County accounted for 0.24% of the 474,127 Common Pleas filings in Ohio in CY 2025, with 26.4 cases per 1,000 residents against 39.8 statewide.
| Metric | Mercer County | Ohio | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 1,128 | 474,127 | 0.24% of Ohio's total |
| YoY change in filings | -3.3% | -0.4% | Slower than the state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~564 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~554 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Criminal share of filings | 14.9% | 17.1% | Below the state share |
| Civil share of filings | 15.7% | 27.8% | Below the state share |
| Family law share of filings | 19.4% | 19.7% | Below the state share |
Mercer County files cases at a lower rate per resident than Ohio (26.4 against 39.8 per 1,000), and its filings fell 3.3% against -0.4% statewide. Its criminal and civil shares of filings are both below the state's; rows marked ~ are estimates.
Mercer County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Ohio statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Mercer 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 Mercer County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Mercer County Courthouse Locations
Mercer County court proceedings are held at the Mercer County Courthouse - Clerk of Courts. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County Courthouse - Clerk of Courts | 101 North Main Street, Celina, OH 45822 | (419) 586-6461 | 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 Mercer County?
Most Mercer County matters go to either the Court of Common Pleas or a municipal or county court, depending on the type of case. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Ohio.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Municipal or county court | Traffic matters are handled by municipal and county courts; check the citation for the court named. |
| Misdemeanor | Municipal or county court | Misdemeanor cases are heard in municipal and county courts. |
| Felony | Court of Common Pleas | Felony cases are heard in the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Civil lawsuit | Court of Common Pleas or municipal or county court | Smaller civil claims go to municipal and county courts; larger general matters go to the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Divorce or child custody | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations division | Available where the county has a domestic relations division. |
| Probate or estate | Court of Common Pleas, probate division | Available where the county has a probate division. |
| Juvenile case | Court of Common Pleas, juvenile division | Available where the county has a juvenile division. |
| Village ordinance violation | Mayor's court | Mayor's courts operate in some villages. |
| Appeal | Court of appeals | Ohio has 12 appellate districts; the Supreme Court of Ohio hears further review. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the Ohio | Federal matters are outside the county court system. |
Are Mercer County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Ohio court records are public, with exceptions set by law and court rules. Access is governed by the Ohio Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43) and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Rules 44-47).
Public records
Most Mercer County court case records are open to the public, subject to the rules that apply to each court.
Restricted or confidential records
Sealed, expunged, juvenile, and other restricted records are not public. Ask the clerk what applies to a specific case.
Online access
This page does not name a county online case search. Ask the Clerk of Courts which online search, if any, covers the court that holds your case. Official court information is at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of Courts office for the court that holds the case to view or request records.
Fees
No copy or certification fees are listed on this page. Ask the clerk about fees for the records you need.
How to Search Mercer County Court Records Online
Ohio has no single statewide search for trial courts, so records for Mercer County are searched through the county or municipal clerk of courts.
- Identify the case type (criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile).
- Pick the official clerk of courts or court website that handles that case type.
- Search by party name or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, and docket entries.
- Request documents that are not online from the clerk of courts.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Clerk of Courts for Mercer County (Common Pleas) or the local Municipal Court; see the Supreme Court of Ohio court directory | Dockets and case status, where the clerk offers online search. | Not in a statewide trial-court portal; availability varies by clerk. |
| Traffic | Local Municipal or County Court clerk; see the Supreme Court of Ohio court directory | Ticket and case status, where available. | Mayor's Courts and some courts may not offer online search. |
| Civil | Clerk of Courts for Mercer County or the local Municipal Court | Civil dockets and filings, where the clerk offers online access. | Document images may require a request or fee. |
| Small claims | Municipal or County Court clerk serving Mercer County | Small claims docket information, where available. | Not in a statewide portal; contact the clerk. |
| Family law | Clerk of Courts for Mercer County, Domestic Relations Division | Case dockets for domestic relations matters, where available. | Some records are restricted; contact the clerk for documents. |
| Probate | Mercer County Probate Court clerk | Estate and guardianship dockets, where the court offers online search. | Estate documents may only be available from the Probate Court. |
| Juvenile | Not in the general public portal. | Nothing public in the general search. | Juvenile records are restricted; contact the Mercer County Juvenile Court. |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Mercer County
Fines and costs are paid to the court or office named on your ticket or notice. This page does not list the payment methods that Mercer County courts accept.
To pay, contact the court or clerk named on your paperwork and ask which payment methods it accepts. Official Ohio court information is at supremecourt.ohio.gov.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued the ticket, so check the ticket for where to pay.
Mercer County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records?
Contact the Clerk of Courts for the court that holds the case, and check supremecourt.ohio.gov for official court information.
Are court records public?
Most Ohio court records are public under the Ohio Public Records Act and the Rules of Superintendence, but sealed, expunged, and juvenile records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Felony cases are in the Court of Common Pleas, and misdemeanors are in municipal or county courts. Contact the clerk of the court with the defendant's full name and any case number.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket, notice, or summons for the court and date, or call that court's clerk to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Check the ticket for the court or agency named on it and ask that office which payment methods it accepts.
How many cases are filed in Mercer County each year?
Filing counts for Mercer County are not published on this page, so no annual total is given. The county population was 42,737 in 2025.
What is the most common type of case?
Case type counts for Mercer County are not published on this page, so no most common category is listed.
Is crime in Mercer 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
Mercer County Common Pleas CourtMore Info
| Address: | 101 North Main Street, Room 301, Celina, OH, 45822 |
| Phone Number: | 419-586-2122 |
| Fax: | 419-586-4000 |
| Website: | https://www.mercercountyohio.org/elected-officials/common-pleas-court/ |
Celina Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 202 N Main St, Celina, OH, 45822 |
| Phone Number: | 419-586-6491 |
| Fax: | 419-586-4735 |
| Website: | https://celinamunicipalcourt.org/ |
Useful Links
- Mercer County Common Pleas Court - Official Website Explore information about the court's judges, case schedules, and resources available to the public.
- Trial Courts Overview - Supreme Court of Ohio Learn about the Ohio trial court system, including the different types of courts and their functions.
- Mercer County Alerts - CodeRED Community Notification System Sign up for emergency alerts to stay informed about local situations affecting public safety and court operations.
- Mercer County Court Records Search - Online Database Access public court records, case information, and legal documentation available through the Mercer County court database.
- Mercer County Courts - Ohio Legal Help Directory Find contact details, service hours, and available legal resources for Mercer County courthouses.
- Environmental Health Links - Mercer County Health District Access various resources related to environmental health, public safety, and court-related public health guidelines.
- Mercer County Auditor - Official Website Information about property records, financial reports, and other official documentation relevant to court proceedings.
- Mercer County Prosecutor's Office - Official Website Discover the role of the prosecutor's office, contact information, and legal updates impacting local courts.
- Order Birth and Death Records - Mercer County Health District Process for obtaining vital records necessary for legal proceedings and court documentation in Mercer County.
- Public Resources - Ohio State Bar Association Explore legal resources, public guides, and professional assistance for navigating the Ohio legal system.
- Legal Aid Society - Nonprofit Legal Resources and Services Find resources and support for low-income individuals seeking legal assistance and representation in court matters.
- Legal Aid Line of Western Ohio - Free Legal Assistance Services and guidance for accessing free or low-cost legal help for qualifying residents in Mercer County.
- Mercer County Clerk of Courts - Official Website Information about filing court documents, fee structures, and hours of operation for court services.
- Ohio Court Links - Court System Navigation Find links to various Ohio courts, directories, and legal resources for public and professional reference.
- Supreme Court of Ohio - Official Website Access to opinions, court rules, and information on the structure of the Ohio judicial system.
- Mercer County Sheriff's Office - Official Website Details on law enforcement services, jail information, and resources connected to court-ordered activities.
- Public Records Online - State of Ohio Public Access Information Discover how to request and access public records throughout the state, including court documents.
- Ohio Probate Court Information - Probate Resources Resources related to probate court cases, administration, and legal forms required by the courts in Ohio.
- Mercer County Calendar - Public Meetings and Court Events Stay updated on important dates, scheduled hearings, and public meetings in Mercer County.
- National Association for Court Management - Court Management Resources Access standards, guides, and information for effective court administration and management best practices.
Table of Contents
- Mercer County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Mercer County Court Records
- Mercer County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Mercer County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Mercer County?
- How Does Mercer County Compare With Ohio Overall?
- Mercer County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Mercer County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Mercer County?
- Are Mercer County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Mercer County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Mercer County
- Mercer County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links