Structure of the Ohio Judicial System

Supreme Court


Chief Justice and Six Justices





Original jurisdiction in select cases; court of last resort on state


constitutional questions and questions of public or great general


interest; appeals from Board of Tax Appeals, Public Utilities


Commission, and death penalty cases
Courts of Appeals


12 Courts, 66 Judges


Three Judge Panels





Original jurisdiction in select cases; appelate review of


judgments of Common Pleas, Municipal, and County Courts;


appeals from Board of Tax Appeals
Court of Claims


Judges assigned by Supreme Court





All suits against the state for personal


injury, property damage, contract, and


wrongful death; compensation for victims


of crime; three judge panels upon request
Municipal Courts


118 Courts, 201 Judges





Misdemeanor offences;


traffic cases; civil actions


up to $15,000 County Courts


47 Courts, 55 Judges





Misdemeanor offences;


traffic cases; civil actions


up to $15,000 Courts of Common Pleas


88 Courts, 372 Judges





General Division


Civil and criminal cases;


appeals from most


administrative agencies





Domestic Relations Division


Divorces and dissolutions;


support and custody of children





Probate Division


Probate, adoption, and


mental illness cases





Juvenile Division


Offences involving minors;


most paternity actions
Mayors Courts


Approximately 428 Mayors





Misdemeanor offences;


traffic cases

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