Ohio law requires that each mayor of a municipal corporation who wishes to conduct a mayor's court pursuant to Chapter 1905 of the Ohio Revised Code receive Supreme Court approved training.

A newly elected or newly appointed Mayor who wishes to conduct a mayor's court hearing all non-alcohol and drug related traffic offenses that may come before Mayors Court shall obtain, within sixty days of first assuming office, six hours of classroom instruction in order to hear cases other than alcohol and drug related traffic offenses (general). In order to hear first offense OVI cases, a separate six hours of classroom instruction related to alcohol and drug related traffic offenses (OVI) is required.

Magistrate

A magistrate (a licensed attorney who has practiced for the past 3 years in Ohio) must have this initial training before hearing court (per the Ohio Supreme Court). Completion of the two six-hour training requirements authorizes the Mayor or Magistrate to hear cases through the 31st day of December of the year immediately following the year in which the education was completed.

Following Initial Training

Following the six hour initial training requirements, the Mayor or Magistrate shall receive each year, three hours of continuing education for offenses other than alcohol and drug related traffic offenses and another 3 hours of continuing education in cases related to alcohol and drug related traffic offenses if they hear first offense OVI cases. A mayor who decides not to hear first offense OVI cases is only required to take the initial six-hour classroom instruction for all of the non-OVI cases (GENERAL) which may come before the court and the annual three-hour update courses. It is the responsibility of each individual to know what courses they need to take each year.

Please note that these refresher courses are only for those who have taken their 6-hour initial course and their 3-hour updates every year since. If a refresher course is not taken annually following the initial course, the initial course(s) must be taken again.

Fill-In Appointment

The six hour initial courses are given the first of each year. In the event a municipality loses a mayor, for whatever reason, they have the option of hiring a certified Magistrate to hear their Mayor's Court cases. The same supreme court rules apply to attorneys. They must have the same training as Mayors and, in addition, must be a practicing attorney in the State of Ohio for the past 3 years in order to qualify as a Magistrate. The 3-hour update courses are held 3 times per year .

Dates & Locations

The dates for the upcoming refresher webinars are listed to the right. Program begins at 8:45 a.m.