Seneca County Ohio

Common Pleas Court

The Seneca County Common Pleas Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction that was created by the Ohio Constitution and established in Article IV, Section 1. It is charged with providing prompt and fair resolution of litigation in civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases for all of Seneca County.

About

The Common Pleas Court

The Seneca County Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over all felony criminal cases and specific types of civil cases.  These civil cases arise from a broad spectrum of issues that include, but are not limited to, negligence actions, appeals of decisions of administrative agencies, contract or labor disputes, foreclosure actions, declaratory judgment actions and actions for injunctive relief.

The Seneca County Common Pleas Court also has a Domestic Relations Division. This division of the Court has jurisdiction over divorce, dissolution, spousal support, child support, and custody in family disputes.

As outlined in the Ohio Constitution, Article IV, Section 4

Seneca County Lady Justice, Bennett Drone
“This website was designed to share information with the citizens of Seneca County about their Court and its various divisions. We shall continue to promote and enhance Court services to provide equal justice to all Seneca County citizens.”
― A Message from the Seneca County Common Pleas Court

Jury Service

A juror is a very important person in our legal system because our justice system is based on the belief that a just and fair result in court comes from having disputes settled by our fellow citizens.

Petit Juror

You will be called to be a juror on an “as needed basis.” You will receive a post card with a date and time to appear approximately one week prior to the date of jury service.

Grand Juror

You will receive a Summons with information regarding Grand Jury Duty in the mail approximately one month prior to the beginning of your 4 month term of service.

Divisions of the Court

The Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Common Pleas Court of Seneca County Ohio outline four divisions for the court.

Seneca County Common Pleas Court Courtroom

General Division

This division of the court presides over all Felony Criminal cases and Civil cases, including grand jury, personal injury, contracts, torts, real estate, malpractice, appeals from state and county administrative agencies.

Domestic Relations

This division of the Court presides over divorce, dissolution, legal separation, spousal support, child support, and custody in family disputes involving a married couple. It also hears cases involving certain types of protection order requests.

Additional Resources

Additional programming and services provided by the court, along with helpful links to other commonly used resources.

Local Rules of Court

The local Rules of Court herein shall apply only to the General and Domestic Relations Divisions, except as otherwise specifically provided.

PIVOT Recovery Program

"Participating in Victory of Transition" is a program that helps participants get back on the right path and assists with long-term sobriety.

Pretrial and Probation Services

These services assist the court with defendant supervision, both during and after a criminal case.​

Civil Mediation

Mediation is a process whereby the parties meet with a person not connected with the case, who is trained in dispute resolution.

Judges

The Seneca County Common Pleas Court has two judges and two magistrates that preside over hearings.