Magistrates (Traffic, Civil, Evictions, Parking)

James N. Griffin

Magistrate Courtroom: #1

Magistrate James N. Griffin serves as a full-time Magistrate in the Clark County Municipal Court, where he oversees a broad spectrum of legal proceedings. His responsibilities include presiding over civil and small claims cases, traffic and criminal arraignments and trials, as well as additional matters referred by the Court’s Judges. Prior to his current role, Magistrate Griffin served the Court for many years as both an Acting Judge and Acting Magistrate. Magistrate Griffin earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Ohio Northern University. He is a proud, honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force.  His legal career spans roles as an Assistant Clark County Prosecutor, a Magistrate in Domestic Relations Court, and as a private practitioner with experience across multiple areas of law. This diverse background has equipped him with a well-rounded understanding of the judicial system and the needs of the community he serves.  Magistrate Griffin is a dedicated member of the legal community. He belongs to the Ohio State Bar Association and is an active member of the Clark County Bar Association, where he previously held the position of President.

Team Members:

Bailiff
Jay Bowen 
937-328-3709

Executive Assistant
Danell Holmes
937-328-3758

Ann Ringler

Magistrate Courtroom: #1

Magistrate Ann M. Ringler is a magistrate for the Clark County Municipal Court and also the Clark County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division.  Magistrate Ringler was raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts.  She came to Ohio in 2004 where she pursued her J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law from which she graduated in 2007.  Magistrate Ringler came to Clark County in 2008 where she began her legal career in private practice, being appointed to the Domestic Relations bench in 2015 and later the Municipal Court bench.  Magistrate Ringler is an active member of the Clark County Bar Association.  She also belongs to the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Association of Magistrates.

Team Members:

Bailiff
Jay Bowen 
937-328-3709

Executive Assistant
Danell Holmes
937-328-3758

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:
  • 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
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.

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.