Summit County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Summit County is the fourth most populous county in Ohio and is home to 539,361 residents. The county got its name from having the highest elevation in the Ohio and Erie Canal. Its county seat, Akron City, has been a popular industrial center throughout US history. The county's court system consists of the Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Mayor's Courts.

The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over a wide range of cases in Summit County. The court is organized into four Divisions: the General Division, the Domestic Relations Division, the Juvenile Division, and the Probate Division. The General Division has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, contract disputes, land disputes, claims to money, and torts. The Domestic Relations Court handles domestic and family matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, and parentage cases. Cases concerning juveniles are within the authority of the Juvenile Court, while the Probate Court handles cases in wills, deceased estates, and guardianships. Additionally, Akron, Barberton, and Stow are home to Municipal Courts, which serve several cities, villages, and towns in Summit County. The jurisdiction of the Municipal Courts covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and civil claims involving $15,000 or less. Some municipalities also have Mayor's Courts that handle municipal ordinance violations, traffic cases, and certain misdemeanors. They include Boston Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, Northfield, and Richfield.

In 2022, Summit County had a crime rate of 2,078 incidents per 100,000 persons for crimes against persons and 4,044 per 100,000 persons for property crimes. Also, the Court of Common Pleas had a total of 12,046 general civil and criminal case dispositions in 2023. The Legal Division of the Summit County Clerk of Courts maintains civil, criminal, and domestic relations records of the Court of Common Pleas. Interested persons can view these records on the county's Online Case Search or by submitting a completed Records Request Form in person, by mail, or via email. Other courts in the county also maintain records of their proceedings. Anyone can obtain such records by contacting the relevant court. It is important to note that while most court records are open to the public, access to juvenile records, probation records, and other confidential court records is restricted.

In summary, the courts operating in Summit County include the Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Mayor's Courts. The courts ensure effective and timely resolution of disputes and trial of crimes. They also maintain records of their proceedings and allow public access to such records so far they are not made confidential by law.