Mayor’s Court

Mayor’s Court

Magistrate: Honorable David McIlwain
Prosecutor: Matt Broo
Chief of Police: Chief Michael Ott
Court Clerk: Christina Taylor
Phone: (513) 761-1699
Fax: (513) 761-4948
Email: [email protected]

Payment:

Ohio law allows certain traffic citations to be resolved by a Traffic Violations Bureau instead of appearing in Court. At any time prior to arraignment, a defendant charged with an offense that can be processed by a traffic violations bureau may pay their citation by doing any of the following listed below. You must pay the full amount; Ohio law does not allow partial payments on waivers.
If the citation is a “must appear in court” ticket, it will be checked as such on your ticket.

If you are charged with an offense that does not require a court appearance, you may:

1. Pay your citation online click here to make payment /view docket. Payments will be accepted up to 2:30 on your assigned court date.
   The best way to search is by just entering your name. Be sure to use the address associated with the card.
   Case messages:
   • This case is not waiverable – Mandatory court appearance
   • This case is closed – All requirements to complete the case have been met, no further action required
   • The amount of $_____ may be paid online to waive this case – This case can be paid online and no court appearance needed as long as it is paid by 3:00 on the assigned court date. Once full payment is received, the case will be closed.
   • This case is pending – Contact the office to find out what the court requires to close the case
   • The case is not waiverable grace period exceeded – Time has passed in which you could pay ticket. Contact clerk’s office as additional fines are required
2. Pay your citation in person at the Lockland Mayor’s Court Violations Bureau which is located at 101 N. Cooper Avenue, Lockland, Ohio 45215. Acceptable forms of payment: Cash, money order, check, Visa or Mastercard. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Payments will be accepted up to 2:30 pm on your assigned court date.
3. Send a check or money order to the above address made payable to: Village of Lockland. Address envelopes to Lockland Traffic Violations Bureau.

Please note: US currency only.

Payment must be received by 2:30 PM on your assigned court date. If not, you must appear in court.

Arraignment starts at 4:00 pm, continuances start at 3:30 pm.
Trials start at 4:00 PM
Failure to pay the citation or appear in court will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, additional fines, a block being placed on your driver’s license, and possibly the suspension of your driver’s license.

Insurance:

Ohio State Law requires proof of insurance. If financial responsibility proof shown is not marked “yes” on your citation, you will need to show proof of insurance along with your payment. Insurance must be for the vehicle driven at the time of offense.
If you are paying online, you can fax your proof of insurance to (513) 761-4948. Attention: Court Clerk by 2:30 PM on the date payment is made.
If you do not show proof of your financial responsibility as of the date of the offense the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will suspend your operator’s license and a reinstatement fee will be required.

Continuances:

If you are unable to pay by your court date or need more time to seek counsel, we offer continuances. Your first continuance can be issued through the office between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. First continuances will be issued up to 3:00 pm on your assigned court date. Continuances must be done in person by the individual the citation is issued to. Only the first continuance will be given without appearing in court. All subsequent continuances must be requested in court.
The Village of Lockland does not offer Stay to Pays (payment plans).

Procedures & Pleas:

When your name is called, proceed immediately to the podium in front of the prosecutor. The charge against you will be read and you will have the opportunity to request a continuance or enter a plea.
After you have entered your plea the prosecutor will read the facts concerning the charges. You will be given an opportunity to speak to the facts as presented by the prosecutor. Following your testimony, the court will then issue a verdict.

Pleas

Guilty: The plea of guilty is a complete admission of the Defendant’s guilt. The Judge will make inquiry of the facts and determine the penalty.

No Contest: The plea will not be construed as an admission of any fact at issue in the charge in any subsequent actions or proceedings, whether civil or criminal. In the event of such a plea, the Judge will inquire into the facts and make a finding of guilty or not guilty.

Not Guilty: The plea of Not Guilty is a denial of legal guilt and the case will be set for trial on a later date. At which time all witnesses will be sworn and testimony will be heard, after which the Magistrate will render a decision.

If you are in doubt as to whether you are or are not guilty, the Court requests that you enter a plea of “Not Guilty”

If you are charged with:
Minor Misdemeanor, not more than $150, no jail time
Misdemeanor of the Fourth Degree, not more than $250 and/or 30 days in jail
Misdemeanor of the Third Degree, not more than $500 and/or 60 days in jail
Misdemeanor of the Second Degree, not more than $750 and/or 90 days in jail
Unclassified Misdemeanor, not more than $1000, no jail time
Misdemeanor of the First Degree, not more than $1000 and/or 6 months in jail

Hearing Types:

Arraignment Hearing

This serves as the first opportunity for the Defendant to see someone about his/her case. At this time, the Defendant will be allowed to enter a plea to the charges. All Defendants are advised of their rights to have an Attorney represent them, or they may choose to represent themselves.

Trial

If a Defendant pleads not guilty at his/her Arraignment, a later date will be set for the trial. On Trial Night, the Prosecutor will present any evidence and call any witnesses to prove the case. The Defendant will then have an opportunity to present his/her own evidence and witnesses to prove that he/she is not guilty. All Defendants have the right to be represented by an Attorney at this and any subsequent hearings.

Warrant for Failure to appear or pay

Failure to pay the indicated fine or appear in court on the court date listed on your citation will lead to a warrant being issued for your arrest and suspension of your Driver’s License. Also, a new charge of Failure to Appear will be added and a fine will be assessed. Payment must be received by court date assigned. To receive a new court date after failing to appear, a bond must be posted.

Posting Bonds:

Once the warrant is issued you will need to post a bond in order to receive a new court date. The bond amount is issued by the Judge. When a bond is posted, there is a $25.00 State of Ohio fee that will not be refunded unless the Defendant is found Not Guilty. If a bond is posted and the Defendant fails to appear in court the entire amount will be forfeited. If the bond is posted by the Defendant or by someone else but put in the Defendant’s name the money posted may be used towards any fine/costs that may be assessed.

Directions:

From I-75 South: Turn right off exit 12 onto South Cooper Avenue. Go straight through the light and Town Hall is on the corner on the left across from the Marathon Station.
From I-75 North: Turn left from exit 12 onto Davis Street. Go over the railroad tracks and turn right at the stop sign onto Mill Street. Follow Mill Street until it dead ends into East Wyoming Avenue and turn left. At the second light turn right onto North Cooper Avenue. Town Hall is on the left corner across the street from the Marathon Station.

Check Your Driving Record:

You can find out about license suspensions, how much you owe the BMV or just get a copy of your driving record at BMV: at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/index.aspx

If you have any further questions, you may contact the Clerk of Courts. Please remember, the Clerk of Courts is not allowed to issue legal advice, only facts surrounding your case (ie: court date, pay-out amount, copy of ticket).

Brochures and applications:

Your Rights in Court brochure (Spanish)
For information about the sealing of record process click here
To download the Village of Lockland sealing of record process and application click here.