Located in the southwestern part of Ohio, Hamilton County is named for the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. The County is the third most populous in Ohio, and its county seat is Cincinnati. As of 2020, the County’s population estimate, as recorded by the United States Census Bureau, was 830,628.

Courts in Hamilton County

The Hamilton trial court system consists of four courts: Juvenile Courts, the Courts of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Probate Courts.

The Courts of Common Pleas have jurisdiction over each criminal and civil case. However, they normally only take on cases beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. This court has original jurisdiction that covers civil cases and felonies in which the amount of controversy is valued at more than $15,000. Hamilton County is also home to Probate Courts, which handle cases relating to the administration of estates, wills, and guardianship.

The Juvenile Courts in Hamilton County decide cases involving children as the subject of legal complaints. Cases handled by the court include juvenile delinquency, dependency, child support, and custody cases. Lastly, the Municipal Courts in Hamilton County have jurisdiction over certain civil and criminal cases. The criminal cases under its jurisdiction often include traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors and parking violations. The court also hears civil cases where the claims are less than $15,000.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Hamilton County

In Hamilton County, the Clerk of Courts Office is responsible for keeping records emanating from all courts. This office maintains an online portal for records search that makes access to public records quick and convenient. If the records sought are unavailable online, they can be accessed at the office’s physical address or by sending a mail request to the Clerk’s office.

Types of Public Court Records in Hamilton County

Public records are court documents made available to all members of the public seeking access to them. Members of the public in Hamilton County can access the following types of public records:

• Criminal court records
• Domestic court records
• Civil court records
• Grand Jury reports
• Historical records

Confidential Court Records in Hamilton County

In Hamilton County, some court records are not made available to the public. Such records are designated as confidential. Confidential court records are only made available to the parties involved in the case or their attorneys. Examples of confidential court records in Hamilton County include the following:

• Juvenile records
• Mental health records
• Medical records
• Social security numbers
• Records of ongoing investigations

Juvenile Delinquency in Hamilton, OH

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Hamilton 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 418 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Hamilton County. Of that total, 51% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 213 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

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

Government of Hamilton County, OH

https://ohio.gov/

County Seat:	Cincinnati
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1790
Total Square Miles:	413
2019 Population:	813,822
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	138 E. Court Street County Administration Building Cincinnati , OH 45202-1226 http://www.hamilton-co.org

Hamilton County, OH Courts