FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Judges Frequently Asked Questions
Can I talk to a judge?
The judge is not permitted to discuss a pending case with any party or witness without all attorneys or unrepresented parties being present. This includes any written letters to the judge. These are considered ex-parte communications and violate the rules of judicial ethics.
What if I cannot make it to court?
It is the obligation of every party and subpoenaed witness to be present at court at the designated time. Failure to do so may result in a warrant for your arrest. If there is an unavoidable emergency that prevents your attendance, you should notify your attorney immediately and provide your attorney with documentation verifying the unavoidable emergency. Failure to do so may result in a warrant for your arrest.
What if I cannot reach my attorney about an emergency that prevents me from being at court?
You may call the judge’s office in this event. You will still need to contact your attorney and provide your attorney with documentation verifying the unavoidable emergency. Failure to do so may result in a warrant for your arrest.
What if I miss my court date?
You should report to the bailiff’s desk at the entrance to the Municipal Court building as soon as possible. Doing so reduces the chance that you will be held in jail. If you do not report to the courthouse, and are picked up on a warrant, it is likely that you will be held in jail.
Can I request driving privileges if I have an OVI?
You may request driving privileges. There are mandatory waiting periods that must pass. Also, there may be requirements specific to your case that must be addressed. Driving privileges are for limited purposes only, and will apply only to a suspension in the specific case. If you have multiple suspensions, privileges in one case do not permit you to drive without privileges for all suspensions
What documents do I need to request driving privileges?
The request must be in writing, include the case number on the request and file it with the Clerk of Courts. You must include a letter from your employer on employer letterhead stating the location of your employment and your work hours; proof of automobile insurance in your name that is paid through the period you are requesting privileges. The judge may require different or additional information, depending on the facts of the case.
How do I get married in the courthouse?
Contact each individual judge. You must contact probate court to find out how to get a marriage license.
Juror Frequently Asked Questions
How was I selected to be a juror?
The Court randomly selects jurors every year from the lists of registered voters.
Who can serve as a juror?
You must be a resident of Clark County, at least 18 years of age, and must understand the English language. Beyond that, everyone is given the opportunity to be a juror regardless of age (if at least 18) and regardless of occupation.
Do I need to complete the jury questionnaire?
Yes, all questionnaires for a petit jury need to be completed and returned.
What if I have a permanent medical condition that prevents me from doing jury duty?
Complete and return the questionnaire, request to be excused for a medical condition, and provide a written statement as indicated on the questionnaire.
What if I am a caregiver for a sick, aged, or infirm dependent?
Complete and return the questionnaire, request to be excused for being a caretaker, and provide a written statement as indicated on the questionnaire.
What if I have a conflict with my jury service?
Complete and return your questionnaire and request a one-time postponement, filing in the reason it is needed. Ohio law allows one postponement for as long as six months. Conflicts may include doctor’s appointments, vacations, business trips, job interviews, or class commitments for students.
What should I wear to court?
Attorneys should be in business clothing with coat and tie, as appropriate. Participants should dress with respect for the importance of the proceeding. No shorts, pajama pants, tank tops, or slippers. Pants should be worn on the waist. No profanity on clothing, and hats should be removed before entering the courtroom. Jurors reporting for jury selection are expected to use good judgment and dress in a manner appropriate for a courtroom. As a juror, you are expected to maintain a professional and respectable appearance while performing your duties. Hats should never be worn in a courtroom.
Clerk of Courts Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Clerk of Courts?
The Clerk of Courts is an elected official who operates outside of the control of the Municipal Court, but who provides the services necessary for the Court to manage its caseload. The Clerk of Courts Office is also where you will pay court fines and costs, file paperwork and obtain case information. To contact the Clerk of Courts, you click on the following link: www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov
Can I pay a traffic ticket online?
You can pay online at
www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov
What form of payment does the Clerk’s Office accept?
Cash, personal check, credit card, money order, cashier’s check
Magistrates Frequently Asked Questions: Traffic Cases
How much is my ticket?
The amount due can be found by visiting the Clerk’s website at www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov. Choose “Make a payment”, enter your name, click on your case number and then “pay by credit card”. The amount due will appear.
My ticket says personal appearance is not required, but when I tried to pay online, the system says mandatory appearance required. Why is this?
Once a ticket has been turned in, the Clerk’s Office enters the information in order to generate a case. There are violations that are pre-determined to be mandatory and as the ticket is entered into the system, it is at this stage in the process that it is updated from non-mandatory to mandatory. Depending on the citation, if you do not want to appear and contest the ticket in court, but merely want pay the fine, you may contact the Clerk’s Office and ask to have your personal appearance waived. Not all appearances can be waived. For instance, violations such as driving under suspension or operating a motor vehicle without a valid drivers license require a mandatory personal appearance and cannot be waived. Personal appearances are waived at the Magistrate’s discretion.
How do I contest a citation if I live out of state?
You must appear or have an attorney who is licensed in the State of Ohio appear on your behalf.
What if I live out of state and want to contest my ticket? Do I have to come to court for the arraignment and then again for a pretrial?
No. You may submit a Written Plea of Not Guilty found under forms at www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov. This form must be submitted and received prior to your scheduled arraignment date. Once a not guilty plea has been received, you will be scheduled for a pretrial and a notice will be sent via USPS to the address the court has on file for you. This form may not be used for OVI or Driving Under Suspension citations – those do require a personal appearance.
What if I have not received a notice for my next court date?
You may check your court date by visiting www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov. It is very important to make sure that this court has a current address for you. If at any time you move, let the court know immediately.
When is the payment due for my citation?
Payments are due prior to the scheduled arraignment date and time.
Does the court offer a payment plan?
This Court does not offer a payment plan. However, you are given 30 days from the date of your court appearance to pay fines and/or costs. You must appear in court in order to receive the 30 days to pay, even if a personal appearance is not required on the citation.
What if I cannot make it to court on the day I am scheduled?
If you are scheduled for an arraignment, you must contact the Magistrate’s Office prior to your scheduled court date. Arraignments are reassigned at the discretion of the Magistrate’s Office. You must speak to someone in order to reschedule. Leaving a voicemail is not a guarantee that your arraignment will be rescheduled or that a warrant will not be issued for your arrest. Arraignments cannot be reassigned if you contact the Magistrate’s office after the scheduled arraignment date and/or time.If you are scheduled for anything other than an arraignment (for example a Pretrial, Not for Trial, Trial, Community Service Review, Show Cause, Civil Hearing, or Eviction Hearing), you must file a Motion to Continue in the Clerk’s Office prior to the scheduled hearing date explaining the reason for the request. Make sure to include your phone number in your motion as continuances are ruled on by the Magistrate and this Court will contact you to notify you by phone of the Magistrate’s decision. There may be a fee to file a Motion to Continue.
I received a parking ticket on a vehicle I sold or no longer own. What should I do?
You may submit a letter (be sure to include your phone number) providing any details you would like this Court to know as well as any proof and/or documentation that you have showing you no longer own the vehicle. This information will be reviewed to determine if the parking ticket can be resolved in this manner. The Court will contact you by phone with a decision.
Can I appear by telephone or by Zoom?
No. This Court conducts all hearings in the courtroom and on the record; there are no exceptions.
What happens if I don’t appear in court on my assigned date?
Depending on the citation, failure to appear may result in a cancellation of your license and/or a warrant being issued for your arrest.
I received a citation for driving while texting. Is there anything I can do to reduce the fine and/or not have the points on my license?
If this is your first distracted driving violation within 2 years, you may complete an online course by visiting www.bmv.ohio.gov. Upon completion of the course, print the certificate and bring it to your arraignment.
Magistrates Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Cases
I cannot attend a civil hearing on the scheduled date. What should I do?
You must file a Motion to Continue in the Clerk’s Office prior to the scheduled hearing date explaining the reason for the request. Make sure to include your phone number in your Motion as continuances are ruled on by the Magistrate and this Court will contact you to advise you of the decision. There is a fee to file a Motion to Continue.
I have questions about filing a small claims case or collecting my judgment. Where can I find the answer?
You can find many answers to your questions about small claims cases by visiting the Clerk’s website at www.clarkcountymunicipalcourt.gov. Choose “Forms” and then “Small Claims Court Citizens Guide”.
My driver’s license is suspended, but I need to get to work. Can I get driving privileges?
Limited driving privileges may be granted for occupational, educational or medical purposes. In order to qualify, your license cannot be expired and you must meet all other suspension requirements.
How do I apply for driving privileges?
An application can be filed in the Clerk’s Office and there is a fee associated with filing. At the time you must provide the following:
Your application will be submitted to the Court. The granting of such application shall be solely within the discretion of the Court and inconvenience of the applicant will not be considered as grounds for a modification. If this Court does grant you limited driving privileges, the Clerk’s Office will notify you by phone. This process may require up to two weeks to complete.
- Letter from the applicant including your name, current address, phone number, and your request
- Letter from the applicant’s employer, on company letterhead, verifying the applicant’s days and hours scheduled, and the letter must be signed by a supervisor
- Current proof of insurance and/or SR 22
- Proof of payment to the BMV for reinstatement fee or request for a payment plan
If you are granted limited driving privileges, you must keep the Order from this Court with you at all times. If you are pulled over without proof of your driving privileges, you can be ticketed for driving under suspension.
Probation Services Frequently Asked Questions
What is the telephone number for the Clark County Common Pleas Court Probation?
What is the telephone number for Adult Parole?
Do you accept credit cards as a form of payment for supervision fees or restitutions?
No, the Probation Department only accepts cash or money orders as a form of payment.
Does the Probation Department have a FAX number?
Yes. It is 937-328-3755.