The mission of the Cleveland Municipal Court is to ensure the rule of law, administer justice and to improve public safety, by providing a forum where persons obtain the orderly resolution of disputes and related services; all done in a fair, impartial, professional, courteous and timely manner.
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 judges of Cleveland Municipal Court take pride in providing for the fair and efficient administration of justice in Cleveland, and for being a problem-solving court. This court encourages new and creative ideas for helping our citizens rise above difficult circumstances in the cases coming before this court. Visit Court Programs for a listing of innovative court programs and services.