Chapter 11 – The Judicial Branch
11.2 Overview of the Ohio Judicial System
The Ohio judicial system is a well-organized network of courts designed to interpret and apply the law within the state. It includes different courts like the Supreme Court of Ohio, Courts of Appeals, Courts of Common Pleas, Municipal and County Courts, and the unique Mayor’s Courts. The Supreme Court of Ohio is the highest court and makes final decisions on important legal disputes, especially those involving state laws. The Courts of Appeals review decisions from lower courts. The Courts of Common Pleas, found in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, handle serious criminal and civil cases, while Municipal and County Courts manage less severe matters. Mayor’s Courts, unique to Ohio, let local mayors oversee minor cases like traffic violations.
Watch the following video to better understand how these courts operate. The last two minutes of the video will introduce the federal courts:
YouTube URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW4UmB_jrVk
Duration: 5:22
The graphic below visually depicts the hierarchy of the state court system and the different roles each court plays. Subsequent sections in this chapter will expound on these different entities.
This system works alongside the federal judicial system, sharing responsibilities while focusing on the specific legal needs of Ohio’s citizens. Note the graphic is from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission (2023), p. 130.
References
Ohio Legislative Service Commission. 2023. Chapter 11 – The Judicial Branch in A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators. Columbus OH.
Sracic, Paul A., and William C. Binning. 2015. Chapter 5 – Courts in Ohio in Ohio Government and Politics. Washington DC: CQ Press.
