Named after Christopher Columbus, Columbia County is located in the eastern part of Ohio, covering an area of 535 square miles. Founded in 1803, Columbiana County has a population of about 101,000 residents and is composed of 18 townships. Its county seat is in Lisbon and is known for its picturesque landscapes and historical buildings, including the rolling hills and the Spread Eagle Tavern.

Courts in Columbiana County

Columbiana County has a structured judicial system comprising Courts of Common Pleas, Municipal, and Mayor’s Courts. The Courts of Common Pleas in Columbiana County have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases. The court has four divisions: The General Division handles felonies and civil cases, including personal jury claims and real estate matters. It also hears appeals from lower courts. The Domestic Division handles divorce, child custody, and marriage dissolution cases. The Juvenile Division handles cases involving minors, while the Probate Division deals with wills, guardianship, and adoption cases.

The Municipal Courts preside over criminal cases such as traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors, violations of township resolutions, and violations of township resolutions. It also hears civil cases for claims less than $15,000. The Mayor’s Court in Columbiana County handles cases outside the jurisdiction of the Municipal Courts, including minor offenses, such as local ordinance infractions and traffic violations.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Columbiana County

Public court records are papers and documents from the courts, publicly available in Columbia County. The Clerk of Courts provides electronic access to public court records through Case Access.  Additionally, record seekers may visit the courthouses or mail requests to access and obtain public court records from the county.

Types of Public Court Records in Columbiana County

Access to public court records fosters confidence in the judiciary in Columbiana County. The following court documents are publicly available in Columbiana County:

• Civil Court Records: Employment disputes, defamation, breach of contract, evictions, and foreclosures
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanors such as homicide, aggravated assaults, shoplifting, and vandalism
• Family Court Records: Annulments, legal separation, divorce, child custody, and child and spousal support
• Probate Records: Estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships and trusts
• Traffic Records: Speeding tickets, reckless driving, driving without a license, parking violations, and driving under the influence

Confidential Court Records in Columbiana County

Confidential court records contain sensitive and private information inaccessible to the general public. Confidential court records in Columbiana County are sealed by order from the court or by federal or state law. The courts seal the record to protect individuals from harm, protect the identity of minors, and ensure the integrity of ongoing investigations. Confidential court records include:

• Juvenile court records
• Adoption records
• Mental health commitment records
• Trade secrets
• Grand jury proceedings

Similarly, personal data in court records are confidential and excluded from public access. Personal identifiers are unavailable to the public to prevent harassment, identity theft, and financial fraud. Personal identifying information restricted from the public include:

• Driver’s license numbers
• Home and personal email addresses
• Medical information
• Social Security numbers
• Tax identification numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Columbiana, OH

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

In 2017, a total of 472 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Columbiana County. Of that total, 44% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 208 court cases. Another 47% were dependency cases that accounted for 220 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Columbiana County, OH

https://ohio.gov/

County Seat:	Lisbon
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1803
Total Square Miles:	535
2019 Population:	103,077
Persons/Square Mile:	0.01
County Contact:	105 S Market St County Courthouse Lisbon , OH 44432-1255 http://www.columbianacounty.org

Columbiana County, OH Courts