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.

Local Court Rules

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

These Rules are divided into five parts. The first part is the General Rules of Practice and Procedure, which is applicable to all criminal, civil and domestic relations cases filed in the Seneca County Common Pleas Court. The second part contains the Civil Rules of Practice and Procedure. The third part contains the Criminal Rules of Practice and Procedure. The fourth part contains provisions related to Magistrates. The fifth part contains the Domestic Relations Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Download PDF of Full Court Rules

PIVOT Recovery Program

The PIVOT Recovery Program is a court program that is approximately 420 days long. If you enter the PIVOT you will be supervised by PIVOT Judge Steve C. Shuff, Judge Damon D. Alt and Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court Judge Rhonda L. Best. You will meet with them in court on a regular basis to discuss and evaluate your progress, participation and achievements. The amount of time you spend in the program is based on your compliance and advancement through the five phases.

You can chart a new course, which includes:

  • A clean and sober lifestyle
  • A family life with close relationships
  • Friends who care about you… not what you can do for them
  • A job, so you can take care of yourself and your family
  • An education, to present you with better job opportunities
  • Having people trust you
  • An overall healthier lifestyle
  • Resources to help you reach and discover your full potential

What does the PIVOT Recovery Program provide?

  • Substance abuse treatment designed specifically for you
  • Referral to medical, mental health, and social service providers
  • Help in obtaining your GED
  • Relationships with people who care about you, including the judge, your case manager, your treatment team members, and many others. They will all work with you to get the most out of treatment and life
  • Rewards to recognize your successes and hard work
  • Help with learning job skills
Learn More

Pretrial and Probation Services

Seneca County Pretrial Services strives to provide the highest levels of ethical and professional conduct, and is committed to serving Seneca County Common Pleas Court while remaining neutral, objective and ethical in providing all services and supervision of conditions ordered by the court. The goal of Pretrial Services is to provide supervision of defendants awaiting trial or sentencing and to assure compliance with the conditions of release from jail and bond requirements. A Pretrial Services Officer will be assigned to each defendant accordingly.

Seneca County Probation Services enhances public safety and promotes reintegration in the community through proactive supervision and referral to community resources. Probation Services aims to provide the highest quality service to the Court and community, ultimately enhancing and ensuring public safety. This mission is accomplished through effective community based supervision, enforcement of Court orders and creating opportunities to initiate positive changes.

Learn More

Civil Mediation

Mediation is a process whereby the parties meet with a person not connected with the case, who is trained in dispute resolution.That mediator shall meet directly with the parties at a scheduled time to help them review their matter of dispute and attempt to resolve it without further litigation. After the mediation conference, the mediator files a report with the Court indicating whether the mediation was successful. If the mediation was successful, those issues resolved in mediation will no longer be disputed in the court case.
All counsel are required to attend the mediation with their clients and to be prepared to discuss their settlement position. When a party is insured, defendants and adjusters need to be present for mediations if liability is contested. If liability is NOT contested, only adjusters are required to attend, defendants, may, but need not, attend mediations.
A non-refundable mediation fee of $100.00 per party shall be paid thirty (30) days from the filing of the Pre-Trial Conference Order. Checks shall be made payable to the Seneca County Treasurer and mailed to the Judge assigned to the case at one of the following addresses:
Judge Steve C. Shuff
Seneca County Common Pleas Court
103 E. Market Street, Suite 301
Tiffin, OH 44883
or
Judge Damon D. Alt
Seneca County Common Pleas Court
103 E. Market Street, Suite 401
Tiffin, OH 44883

Mediations are generally conducted in the Jury Room on the 3rd or 4th floor of the Seneca County Justice Center, located at 103 E. Market Street in Tiffin, Ohio.

Since October of 1999, John has mediated in excess of 3650 civil cases for Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca Counties in Ohio, and private referrals. 69% of those cases have resulted in one or more issues being settled. Read more about John Py

Other Links of Interest

Below are links to other offices in Seneca County and Ohio that may be helpful to you.

Seneca County Resources

State of Ohio Resources

Common Pleas Court Forms

Looking for forms commonly used by the Domestic Court? The forms page has individual forms and packets available to download.

Forms