Ottawa County Municipal Court, Ohio Filing Rules

Court-cost schedules for criminal/traffic and civil/small-claims cases are set by administrative order.

Requests for permission to broadcast, record, photograph, or televise in the courtroom must be made in writing to the assigned judge as early as reasonably practical and no later than two hours before the session, unless the trial judge permits otherwise.

A courtroom recording or broadcast request is due no later than two hours before the session, unless the trial judge permits otherwise.

After counsel appears, court documents and trial assignments must be served on designated counsel at the address provided to the court.

Fax and email filings are accepted as originals, but the filer must retain the source document and cover sheet and produce them on request through the end of the case and post-judgment relief opportunities.

Filers using fax or email are urged to verify with the clerk that the filing was received.

A continuance requires a written motion and good cause; civil requests are due at least seven business days before trial or hearing, while criminal/traffic requests are due at least two business days beforehand, unless an unforeseen emergency warrants waiver of the timing requirement.

Motions are decided without a hearing unless a hearing is requested in writing, and whether to hold one remains within the court's discretion.

Motions must be in writing and timely filed and served on all appropriate parties under Ohio rules and statutes.

Facsimile and email filings may not exceed 10 pages.

Personal information about jurors or prospective jurors that is not disclosed in open court is confidential, subject to use by the parties and counsel and to the parties’ constitutional and statutory rights and Ohio public-records laws.