Belmont County is situated in the eastern part of Ohio known as the coal belt. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 66,497 residents and a land area of 532.1 square miles.  The county’s seat is Saint Clairsville City.

Courts in Belmont County

Belmont County’s court system consists of the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas, Belmont County Courts, and Mayor’s Courts.

The Court of Common Pleas is the highest trial court in Belmont County. It has general jurisdiction over all cases arising from the county. It handles the most serious civil cases relating to real estate, torts, contracts, and property. It has a minimum monetary limit of $5,000. The court also hears cases involving severe crimes punishable with imprisonment for more than six months. Furthermore, the Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over family and probate matters. Family matters include cases relating to divorce and dissolution, child support, custody, alimony, and domestic violence. Probate cases relate to wills and trusts, guardianships, and administration of estates. Juvenile cases are also within the authority of the court. 

The Belmont County Court conducts preliminary hearings for felony cases. It also handles traffic cases, misdemeanors, and ordinance violations. The court also hears civil claims involving less than $15,000. It also has a small claims division that hears minor civil claims involving landlord-tenant matters, debts, and simple contracts. The procedures of the small claims court are informal, and its authority is limited to claims of $3,000 or less. The Belmont County Court is classified into the Northern, Eastern, and Western divisions.

Municipalities in Belmont County have Mayor’s Courts, which are not considered courts of records. They typically handle traffic cases, misdemeanors, and ordinance violations.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Belmont County

The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains court records in the county. Interested persons can contact the Clerk’s office to view and obtain court records. Alternatively, researchers can also access Belmont County court records online through the Belmont court view portal. Obtaining copies of court records attracts a charge per page. Contact the relevant courthouse for records of the Mayor’s Courts.

Types of Public Court Records in Belmont County

Belmont Court records include documents and materials submitted, used, or generated in court proceedings. They constitute the record of cases heard by the courts. Some examples are:

• Case docket
• Parties information
• Filings
• Pleadings
• Exhibits
• Court judgment

Court records are considered public in Belmont County unless a law or court order protects the records.

Confidential Court Records in Belmont County

Confidential court records are protected by law or court order. Hence, members of the public cannot access them. Some examples of confidential court records in Belmont County are:

• Adoption records
• Unpublished intellectual property records
• Juvenile records
• Records relating to probation and parole proceedings
• Documents containing medical records

Juvenile Delinquency in Belmont, OH

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Belmont County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Ohio often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 319 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Belmont County. Of that total, 82% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 263 court cases. Another 9% were dependency cases that accounted for 30 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Belmont County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Belmont County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Belmont County, OH

https://ohio.gov/

County Seat:	Saint Clairsville
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1801
Total Square Miles:	541
2019 Population:	68,029
Persons/Square Mile:	0.01

Belmont County, OH Courts