Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

What is the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas?

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas is one of many Courts of Common Pleas found in the State of Ohio. These Courts are the state courts of the Judiciary system in Ohio.

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas as well as the other courts of common pleas in Ohio are the trial courts which have general jurisdiction in the state of Ohio. The courts are the only trial courts that are created by Article IV Section I of the Ohio Constitution. Ohio has one of these courts in each of the 88 counties of the state. The state legislature of Ohio, the Ohio General Assembly has the authority and power to divide these courts into different divisions.

These courts of common pleas are broken up into the divisions of domestic relations, probate, juvenile, and general. The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas has all of these divisions.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas: General divisions

This division has original jurisdiction regarding all civil cases where amount in controversy exceeds $15,000, all criminal felony cases, and cases that involve title to real estate, with the exception of eviction matters. Additionally, this court has appellate jurisdiction over some state administrative agencies and city agencies in terms of decision making.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas: Domestic relations

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas divisions of domestic relations has jurisdiction over any proceedings that involve divorce, legal separation, annulment, parental rights, children, spousal support and more.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas: Juvenile divisions

The juvenile division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas hears cases that involve juvenile delinquency along with cases that involve dependent, neglected, and unruly children. These courts have jurisdiction in given adult cases dealing with paternity, non-payment of child support, child abuse, adding to the delinquency of minors, and truancy.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas: Probate divisions

Previously, probate was handled by different probate courts with the authority of the Ohio Constitution of 1851. Seventeen years later, the Ohio Constitution adopted the Modern Courts Amendment, which established the court of common pleas’ probate divisions. These courts now have jurisdiction issuing marriage licenses, determination of mental competency or sanity, adoption proceedings and some eminent domain proceedings as well.

More Information About the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas

The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas is located at the following address:

1200 Ontario Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

The office hours for the main building is from 8:30AM to 4:30PM during the weekdays. The office is closed for weekends, Ohio state holidays, and Federal holidays.