Frequently Asked Questions

• What is this option about pleading guilty?

  Because of COVID-19, if you have a minor misdemeanor (like disorderly conduct), a traffic ticket (like speeding, stop sign, traffic light etc.) and it is not one of the exception charges, you can fill out a guilty plea online to different charge (unsafe vehicle) - click here to fill out a guilty plea online. If the plea is accepted by a Judge or Magistrate, you will be able to pay the fine, without getting the usual 2 points on your driving record. After you fill out the form and submit it, you can check the status of your case online to see if the guilty plea has been accepted and you can pay the fine. Click here for instructions on how to check the status of your case online. 
  

• What is this option about pleading not-guilty?

  You can fill out a form online if you want to challenge the ticket - click here to fill out a plea Not Guilty form. You will receive a court date and time in the mail. It will have instructions about how to attend a “zoom” hearing on a computer or a smartphone. It will also have backup phone instructions if you are unable to unable to attend a “zoom” hearing.

• What if I don’t know how to attend a “zoom” meeting?

  The summons that will be sent to you will have backup instructions and a phone number if you cannot attend a “zoom” hearing.  Once you reach the court hearing by zoom or by phone, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for your case to be heard. Don’t disconnect. You risk getting a warrant if you do not connect for your hearing.  If you need more help, there is a hotline you can call. Call (216) 664-3565 Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. If calling during all other hours please call (216) 664-4790.

• How do I find out my court date?

  Court dates are being mailed out (in US mail). You will be summoned to a court appearance that will be done through the “zoom” service on a computer or a smartphone. There will be a date, a time and a back-up phone number to dial if you can’t attend the “zoom” hearing. Once you reach the court hearing by zoom or by phone, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for your case to be heard. Don’t disconnect. You risk getting a warrant if you do not connect for your hearing.   

• How can I follow my case online?

  To check your case status online, click here to visit the Court's homepage, then click Case Information. After clicking “I accept” at the bottom left of the Legal Disclaimer, and then completing the image challenge, enter either your name on the name search, or enter the ticket number on the ticket/citation search. Scroll to the bottom to press “search”. Cases will appear from earliest on the top to latest. Click on the underlined case number on the far right to see details. Details are displayed from earliest at the top to latest at the bottom. Scroll down to see the latest developments in the case. 

• How do I pay a ticket fine online?

  To Pay a Cleveland traffic or misdemeanor ticket online, click on this link http://www.clevelandmunicipalcourt.org/ePayment and follow the prompts.

  Pay by U.S. mail: Send a check or money order to Cleveland Municipal Court/ Waiver Bureau/ P.O Box 99639 / Cleveland, Ohio 44199-0639.

  Note: some offenses require a court appearance. This may be the case if you cannot complete a payment online. If you are unable to complete the payment online, call 216-664-4790 or email clerkofcourts@cmcoh.org.

• What do I do if I can’t pay my ticket online?

  You can pay by U.S. mail: Send a check or money order to Cleveland Municipal Court/ Waiver Bureau/ P.O Box 99639 / Cleveland, Ohio 44199-0639.

  Note: some offenses require a court hearing. This may be the case if you cannot complete a payment online. If you are unable to complete the payment online, call 216-664-4790 or email clerkofcourts@cmcoh.org.

• How do I know if I need to come to court in-person?

  The only Court appearance that is required in-person is the arraignment (the first court appearance that is written on a ticket). However, for most traffic offenses and minor misdemeanors, the first court appearance can be avoided by filling out either the Guilty Waiver form or the Plea Not Guilty form .

• What if I have a question that is not listed here ?

  Call the Court hotline at (216) 664-3565 Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. or, during all other hours, please call (216) 664-4790.

• What should I do if I missed my court hearing?

  You will need to reschedule a court hearing, and that must be done in-person at the Cleveland Clerk of Courts 3^rd floor window at the Justice Center (1200 Ontario St. Cleveland 44113). The best times to come are during non-business hours M-F 6:30PM-9:30PM. Weekends 8AM-8PM. It’s easier to park downtown and there are no long lines at the Clerk’s office during those times.  You can also contact the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s office: (216) 443-7583.
  
  

• How can I get temporary driving privileges?

  Visit our forms library and scroll down to “Motion for Limited Driving Privileges”.  Once you click on the correct language version, you can fill out the first page on a computer or smartphone. However, you will need to print out the form so that you can sign it and fill out pages 2 and 3.  Once you have completed all of the documents and have collected supporting documents about employment, you can scan all of those pages and email them to clerkofcourts@cmcoh.org. You will be contacted once the documents are reviewed.