The Cleveland Municipal Court is a court of record having jurisdiction in law and equity pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code. The Court has territorial jurisdiction over the City of Cleveland and the Village of Bratenahl. The Court may determine misdemeanor violations of both the City of Cleveland Ordinances and the state of Ohio statutes. The court conducts preliminary hearings and sets bonds in felony cases committed in the City of Cleveland. In civil matters, the Small Claims Division of the Court can determine actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $6,000.00. The General Division of the Court can determine civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000.00. These civil cases can include, but are not limited to, actions for the recovery of property, injunctions, contracts, personal injury, collection proceedings, and transferred judgments. The court strives to be open and accessible to all stakeholders, including attorneys who have business before the court.
CIVIL
On Friday, October 27, 2017 the Cleveland Municipal Court and the Clerk of Courts office initiated a new version of eFiling for our Civil Division. Click here to access eFiling. All attorney's must register with our new eFiling system in order to use eFiling.
Please note the Civil Filing Fees and Cost Schedule (Cleveland Municipal Court, Rules of Practice and Procedure, Rule 17, Schedule C) was updated, effective November 1, 2011. Please click here to review an online copy of the schedule.
REMEMBER: It is important to submit a Change of Address form to the Civil Division if you have relocated your business or mailing address office. Please contact the Civil Division at (216) 664-4870.
CRIMINAL
Transcript Request
Court Programs
Local Rules of Practice and Procedure
The Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office, pursuant to the terms of its contract, represents all indigent persons entitled to court-appointed counsel in Cleveland Municipal Court, charged under the Revised Code or the Cleveland Codified Ordinances, unless a conflict of interest exists. If a conflict exists, the Court will assign court-appointed counsel. Please click here to register to be considered for appointment as assigned counsel. Attorneys must complete the Motion, Entry, and Certification for Appointed Counsel Fees form and email it to brhelr@cmcoh.org for payment of fees and expenses. In addition, please email your completed IRS Form W-9 or direct any questions to brhelr@cmcoh.org.
FORMS – UPDATED AND AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW
The Cleveland Municipal Court has updated its forms so as to be printable and generally more accessible online. Simply access the forms library, open the form, type in field information, print the form and bring into the court.