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1. What is a "Mayor's Court"?

A mayor’s court is a local-level court created in some municipalities that hears cases about traffic violations, minor misdemeanors, and other offenses that cannot result in jail time, and they only operate in Ohio and Louisiana. In Ohio, the presiding officer is a magistrate (not a judge) appointed by the mayor, or City Council.

2. How many Mayors Courts are in Ohio and where are they located?

Ohio has 297 mayor’s courts and they operate in 64 of our 88 counties. In 2016, more than 1 out of every 6 traffic tickets were issued in towns with a mayor’s court. Curious about where they are specifically? The Supreme Court of Ohio’s annual report on mayor’s court has a comprehensive list.

3. Will the Mayor hear my case?

No.  You will appear before a magistrate (not a judge or the mayor).