In Ohio, municipalities have the authority to set up their own state courts called “mayor’s courts.” These courts typically handle DUI/OVI cases, misdemeanors, and city ordinance violations. There are a total of 260 mayor’s courts in the state of Ohio.
While not all jurisdictions have set up mayor’s courts, some counties contain multiple. Our law firm is located in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio which enables us to handle cases in all mayor’s courts throughout Franklin County.
How Mayor’s Courts Are Different from Other Courts
The mayor’s courts of Ohio differ in two main ways from other state courts:
- They do not have juries
- They are not courts of record (not supervised by the Ohio Supreme Court)
For these reasons, some defendants request that the jurisdiction of their case be moved to County / Municipal Court where they can get a trial by jury or have their case handled in a court of record.
In some jurisdictions, the Mayor presides over all cases handled in the mayor’s court, while other counties have designated a Magistrate. Whether the cases are heard by a Mayor or Magistrate depends on the preference of the jurisdiction.
Why Choose Koffel Brininger Nesbitt?
KBN is the premier law firm for criminal and OVI/DUI defense in Ohio. Founding Attorney Brad Koffel has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America® since 2008 and the firm has been voted one of the “Best Law Firms.”
When you work with Koffel Brininger Nesbitt, we promise –
- To treat you with dignity and respect
- To be there for you when you have questions or concerns
- That we took on your case because we were confident in its potential for success