Mercer County
County Courts handle criminal and civil cases in areas not served by Municipal Courts. Their jurisdiction includes non-traffic and traffic misdemeanors, any preliminary hearings for felonies, and civil claims under $15,000, with exclusive authority over cases that include monetary amounts under $500. They also operate small claims divisions for disputes involving under $3,000. Municipal Courts share similar jurisdiction with County Courts, focusing on cases within their respective municipalities. They handle misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases up to $15,000, with specialized divisions such as Environmental or Housing Courts addressing safety and health matters without financial limits.
Mayor's Courts address violations of traffic-related offenses or municipal ordinances, and parking violations in areas outside Municipal Court jurisdiction. They share limited jurisdiction with County Courts and are typically found in smaller municipalities.
Finally, the Ohio Court of Claims has statewide jurisdiction covering civil cases involving the State itself, including disputes over contracts, property, and personal injury. It also addresses claims under $2,500 by using a simpler administrative process and handles cases connected with the Victims of Crime Act.
The Mercer County Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining public court records from the Court of Common Pleas. Clerks of the Municipal and Mayor's Courts manage their respective court records. These records, accessible to the public, include warrants, court filings, orders, transcripts, dockets, legal proceedings, and rulings.
The following types of records are generally available for public access in Mercer County:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Traffic Records
- Family Records
- Probate Records
Residents and interested parties may visit the courts in person to inspect or request copies of these records. Additionally, Mercer County public court records can be searched online through the county's designated case search platform.
