LEGAL HELP GUIDE
Free Legal Help for Consumer Scams and Identity Theft in Ohio
Learn where Ohioans can report consumer scams and identity theft, protect their credit and find legal aid for related debt, collection or credit-reporting…
Read guide →PLAIN-ENGLISH GUIDE
How Ohio courts work
Ohio has multiple types of trial courts, twelve district courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court of Ohio.
What court hears an Ohio case?
The answer depends on the type of case, amount involved, location, and subject matter. Municipal and county courts commonly handle misdemeanors, traffic matters, evictions, and many lower-dollar civil cases. Courts of common pleas have broader trial jurisdiction, including felony criminal cases and many civil matters. Specialized divisions may include domestic relations, juvenile, probate, and general divisions.
Find the court for your county
Use OhioLaw.org’s 88-county directory to reach the Supreme Court of Ohio’s official court listing and the legal-aid provider serving your county.
Ohio courts of appeals
Ohio is divided into twelve appellate districts. Courts of appeals primarily review decisions from lower courts within their districts. Appellate deadlines can be short, so verify the applicable rule and deadline immediately.
Supreme Court of Ohio
The Supreme Court is Ohio’s court of last resort and also has constitutional authority over admission to the practice of law and attorney discipline. Not every case can be appealed to the Supreme Court as of right.
Deadline warning: Never calculate a filing deadline solely from a general website article. Check the current rules, the relevant court docket, and qualified counsel where appropriate.
