Legal Matters

If you have a criminal record, you may be eligible to have your record sealed. Record sealing is sometimes referred to as "expungement."

What Can be Sealed?

• Sealing and Expunging Convictions(PDF, 8MB) - Filing Fee: $50 - If you cannot pay the fee, you may be able to ask for relief from the Court, ask us how!
• Sealing Dismissals(PDF, 245KB) - $0 fee
• Record Sealing Checklist(PDF, 233KB)

Municipal Court Cases

• Municipal Court Sealing of Records and Expungement Application(PDF, 965KB)
• Applications are filed with the Municipal Court Clerk. View Filing Instructions

Common Pleas Court Cases

• To apply to have a Franklin County Common Pleas Court conviction sealed, you must file the Common Pleas Sealing Convictions Form(PDF, 845KB)
• To apply to have a conviction expunged, you must file the Expungement Application for Convictions Form(PDF, 1MB)
• To apply to have a dismissed felony case sealed, you must file the Common Pleas Sealing Dismissals form(PDF, 4MB)

If you need help or have questions about enforcing a judgment or if a judgment is being enforced against you and you plan to represent yourself, please visit us.

If you received paperwork about a lawsuit and need to file an answer, use the Debt Collection Answer Assistance Tool or visit the Self Help Center located on the 16th Floor of the Court for assistance!

The Franklin County Law Library has more information about Creditor or Debtor issues, such as wage and non-wage garnishment.

Contact an Attorney for Assistance

• Columbus Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service
• Columbus Find A Lawyer
• Legal Aid Society Columbus

Forms

• Answer(PDF, 151KB)
• Motion for Extension of Time to Answer(PDF, 67KB)

The Self Help Center can provide helpful information to both Landlords and Tenants about Escrow and Evictions. Landlords and Tenants may both choose to seek legal assistance.

Escrow

Escrow is a legal process available to residential Tenants when Landlords do not make requested repairs to the residential property. The Tenant deposits the monthly rent with the Court. The Landlord then files for release of the funds, usually once the repairs are completed.

• Guide to Rent Escrow(PDF, 260KB)
• Clerk of Court's Rent Escrow Information(PDF, 230KB)

Evictions

Eviction is a legal process in which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property for breach of a rental agreement. A tenant who the eviction is filed against is referred to as the "Defendant".

• Eviction Prevention Resources(PDF, 170KB)
• Rights / Duties of Tenants in Franklin County(PDF, 347KB)
• Law Library Landlord Resources
• Landlord Eviction Guide(PDF, 355KB)
• Learn More about Eviction Court

Forms

• Eviction Continuance Information(PDF, 116KB)
• Eviction Answer(PDF, 350KB)
• Eviction Answer with Counterclaim(PDF, 373KB)
• Notice to Leave Premises(PDF, 128KB)
• Eviction Complaint – 1 Count(PDF, 12KB)
• Eviction Complaint – 2 Count(PDF, 121KB)
• Agreed Entry Affidavit(PDF, 13KB)

More information is available by visiting the Legal Aid Society of Columbus or Environmental Court

The Self Help Center can answer questions and provide assistance with General Division cases. General Division cases are for Plaintiffs (persons or businesses requesting relief) who have a claim for money damages up to $15,000 for cases that include personal injury, property damage, contracts, notes, accounts, and other civil matters.

Claims greater than $15,000 must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas. For more information on filing a claim, visit the Franklin County Clerk of Court. Individuals or partnerships may represent themselves in court. Due to the complexity of some General Division cases, you may choose to seek legal assistance. Corporations, limited liability companies, and some other business entities must be represented by an attorney.

If you received paperwork about a lawsuit and need to file an answer, use the Debt Collection Answer Assistance Tool or visit the Self Help Center located on the 16th Floor of the Court for assistance!

Resources for Self-Represented Parties

• Columbus Legal Aid
• A Guide to Legal Research(PDF, 207KB)
• Glossary of Legal Terms(PDF, 244KB)
• Representing Yourself in Court, A Citizen's Guide(PDF, 87KB)
• Courtroom Do's and Don'ts(PDF, 237KB)

The Self Help Center assists persons requesting relief through Small Claims Court. Small Claims Court is available to Plaintiffs who have a claim for money damages for $6,000 or less.

Plaintiffs cannot ask for the return of property or completion of services within a small claims complaint. For claims involving the return of property, completion of services, or damages that exceed $6,000, please see the General Division section of this website.

Small Claims