Jurisdiction - Courts of Common Pleas

The count of Common Pleas, the only trial court created by the Ohio Constitution, is established by Article IV, § Section 1 of the Constitution, and its duties are outlined in Article IV, § Section 4.

There is a Common Pleas Court in each of the 88 counties. Specific courts of Common Pleas may be divided into separate divisions by the General Assembly, including general, domestic relations, juvenile and probate divisions.

Common Pleas Court judges are elected to six year terms on a non-partisan ballot. A person must be an attorney with at least six years of experience in the practice of law to be elected or appointed to the court.