Preble County Court Records in Ohio

Settled in 1798 by John Leslie, Preble County was finally established as a county in 1808. It was named for Commodore Edward Preble, a commander of the American Naval Fleet in the Mediterranean in the Tripolitan War. Preble County's seat is Eaton, the only city in the county. The county is home to over 40,000 people.

Preble County's court system consists of mayor courts, municipal courts, and courts of common pleas. Preble County mayor courts are not courts of records and only hear cases related to violations of local ordinances and state traffic laws. Persons convicted in a mayor court can appeal their convictions to the municipal court.

Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction in Preble County. They hear cases involving traffic, non-traffic misdemeanors, small civil claims, and evictions. Sometimes, they also conduct preliminary hearings in felony cases.

The court of common pleas in Preble County are the trial courts in the county. They have original jurisdictions in all criminal felony cases and civil cases in which the amount in dispute is higher than $15,000. The court of common pleas also hears cases involving title to real estate but does not handle eviction matters. They also have appellate jurisdiction over decisions of city agencies.

The court of common pleas in Preble County has a probate and juvenile and probate court division. The juvenile court has jurisdiction over persons under 18 and original jurisdiction over certain juvenile cases. Some of the cases heard in this court include custody, dependent, paternity, probation, truancy, delinquency, traffic, and child support cases. The probate court has jurisdiction over matters involving adoptions, marriage licenses, name changes, estates, civil actions, disinterment, adult protective services, guardianship and conservatorships, and the supervision of testamentary trusts.

The Preble County Clerk of Courts maintains court records in the county. To obtain a physical copy of a court record, visit the office of the county clerk of courts office at:

Alternatively, you can make a public court record request or view case information on the county government website as generated from computerized records maintained by the Preble County Clerk of Courts. Users can search court records by providing party or attorney information, case number, action code, or case type information. The case information resource makes court records available in the following case categories:

• Civil
• Criminal
• Domestic
• Court of Appeals
• Dissolution of marriage