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Events and Media Releases

Find relatable, timely, informative articles about events, court decisions, regulations, and community.

 

For all media inquiries, public records or information requests, contact Jodi Andes, Public Information Officer at jodi.andes@franklincountymunicourt.org.

Evictions in Franklin County on the rise; how the court offers resources to those in need

March 8, 2024 | The number of eviction notices filed with the Franklin County Municipal Court dramatically increased in 2023. The Court’s Self Help Center and Dispute Resolution Department help residents negotiate a settlement and potentially avoid having the eviction on their record, link residents to aid that can help with outstanding rent, and connect those facing eviction with Legal Aid Society of Columbus attorneys who may be able to represent them. The Center takes walk-in appointments daily and has an online chat service.

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Working to Protect Domestic Violence Victims

February 19, 2024 | Franklin County Municipal Judges work to keep victims of domestic violence safe within the bounds of the law. Federal law prohibits people convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from having a gun under a disability. Ohio doesn’t have that same law, but Columbus City Council passed this legislation. Franklin County Municipal Judge Andrea Peeples then upheld the city code.

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A Look Back at This Year’s Valentine’s Day Weddings

February 14, 2024 | The Franklin County Municipal Court hosted special wedding ceremonies on Valentine’s Day that drew 66 couples. They said their vows inside a courtroom that had been turned into a festive wedding chapel. Read More to see some of the happy couples. Congratulations to them all!

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FREE Franklin County Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Clinic

March 23, 2024 | A clinic that can help Franklin County residents seal and expunge Franklin County Municipal Court cases will be held at the Ohio Means Jobs Employment Center, 1111 E. Broad St. Space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary. Register Here!  

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Self Help Center will provide assistance at the May Day Celebration

May 11, 2024 | If you have a civil matter at the Franklin County Municipal Court and don’t have an attorney, there is help. The Self Help Center and Dispute Resolution Department will have a table at the Central Ohio Worker Center event at the Kings Art Complex in May where they will take questions. The Self Help Center accepts walk-in appointments on the 16th floor of 375 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio, on Mondays – Fridays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Center assists self-represented litigants with helpful resources and legal information but does not provide legal advice.

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Want to say 'I do' on Valentine's Day? Schedule your wedding at the Franklin County Municipal Court

January 31, 2024 | The Franklin County Municipal Court is taking appointments for couples wanting to get married at the court this Valentine’s Day. The court offers a festival occasion where courthouse staff turns a courtroom into a makeshift wedding chapel for a day. Request a wedding!  

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Retiring Ohio judge shares her experience with state’s juvenile justice system

January 5, 2024 | Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Morehart retired after eight years on the bench. The Judge had previously led the LINC docket, which stands for Learning to Identify and Navigate Change. The program provides a combination of justice and treatment to those suffering from mental health issues.

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UP Program graduates look for a fresh start in life

January 29, 2024 | Young people in the Franklin County community are being offered a fresh start, an opportunity to right wrongs and get their young lives back on track through the Unleashing Potential Program at the Franklin County Municipal Court. The "UP" Program seeks to increase the assets of young adults to help them transform their lives, allowing those who complete the 12-month commitment to have their misdemeanor charges cleared, opening a path to a brighter future.

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Administrative Changes Within Franklin County Municipal Court

December 21, 2023 | The Court has appointed a new Administrative and Presiding Judge for 2024 and has some scheduling changes for 2024 Special Sessions and holiday.

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Court Graduations Assist in the Road to Recovery

December 12, 2023 | The Court held graduation ceremonies for 46 people who completed h.a.r.t. Court (Helping Achieve Recovery Together), which addresses the needs of defendants who battle opioid addiction, and Recovery Court, which allows defendants who have a dependency on alcohol or non-opiate drugs to engage in treatment.

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Creating Central Ohio Futures Onsite at the MARCH Program

December 19, 2023 | Creating Central Ohio Futures is a workforce development program that provides multiple pathways to the middle class. The were onsite at the MARCH Clinic providing services to the public on January 30th from 9 AM to 1PM.

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Scammers Mislead Potential Jurors in Thinking They Owe Thousands of Dollars

November 30, 2023 | Swindlers are calling residents telling them they failed to show for jury duty and must pay a fine. The Franklin County Municipal Court does not fine residents for missed jury duty. If you receive a call like this, please call your local law enforcement. 

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Administrative Order concerning surety bail bond agents

October 24, 2023 | Due to recent events, no surety bail bond agent shall be permitted to be present anywhere on the fourth floor of 375 South High Street.

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FREE License Reinstatement Workshop

October 24, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at Glenwood Community Center, residents of Franklin County can participate in a step-by-step process to reinstate their Driver’s License!

 

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Administrative Order Concerning Civil Process Servers

August 16, 2023 | This administrative order addresses the process and forms that must be completed when requesting the appointment of Civil Process Servers.

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New information about how the Court is handling certified mail returns

August 11, 2022 | Among other things, Administrative Order 04-2022 addresses how certified mail returns marked C-19 are marked and provides direction regarding motions for default judgement.
 

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"UP" Program helps young adults stay out of prison

May 26, 2022 | Unleashing Potential, or UP for short, is a new Franklin County municipal court program that aims to help young adults stay on the right path.

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CATCH Court fills a need

Spring 2022 | One path to freedom: A national model, this Columbus court gives victims guidance and resources to pursue lives they didn’t think possible.

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Judge Paley using social programs to improve lives from bench

December 1, 2021 | Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Eileen Paley plans to continue focusing on court-based social programs to improve lives during her second term.

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Valentine's Day Ceremonies

February 8, 2022 | The Judges of the Franklin County Municipal Court will conduct Valentine's Day wedding ceremonies on Monday, February 14, 2022.

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Administrative Order concerning Court Operations

December 17, 2021 | This order addresses Court operations as it relates to masks, traffic arraignment, evictions, weddings, the Self Help Resource Center, Jury Service and elevator occupancy.

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Administrative Order Concerning Masks

August 5, 2021 | All parties must wear a face covering that will protect against the spread of the COVID-19 virus to be admitted to any of the Court’s facilities. This is to ensure the safety of all visitors and Court staff.

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Franklin County Municipal Court To Resume Eviction Filings

August 5, 2021 | In accordance with the ruling of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Franklin County Municipal Court has issued an Administrative Order that the Court will not follow the eviction moratorium order issued by the CDC on Tuesday.

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Administrative Order Regarding CDC Extension of Eviction Moratorium

June 24, 2021 | Updated information based on the the extension of the CDC's order entitled "Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19".

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Drug Court’s HART-Felt Graduation

June 2, 2021 | COVID-19 kept members of Franklin County Municipal Court’s h.a.r.t. program physically apart for months, but the pandemic couldn’t prevent a life-altering day for so many on their journey of recovery – their drug court graduation.

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Columbus & Franklin County Addiction Plan

In response to a profound jump in overdose deaths in 2015, stakeholders from across Franklin County, Ohio, gathered together to address the opioid epidemic, discussing strategies related to treatment access, prevention, education, law enforcement, and recovery.

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UPDATED Administrative Order Concerning Court Operations

May 19, 2021 |  UPDATED Franklin County Municipal Court COVID-19 Operations

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Franklin County Municipal Court Eviction Moratorium

May 10, 2021 | The Franklin County Municipal Court will continue to follow the guidelines imposed in the CDC Eviction Moratorium until such time that the federal case is resolved.

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Update to Evictions Practices

January 13, 2020 | The Franklin County Municipal Court has implemented a new process that allows persons with eviction records to complete a standard application form to request removal of the particular eviction record from online internet access.

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UPDATED Franklin County Municipal Court Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic

March 15, 2020 | UPDATED Franklin County Municipal Court COVID-19 Operations

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Franklin County Municipal Court Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic

March 13, 2020 The Franklin County Municipal Court will remain open and functioning while dealing with the impacts of the current COVID-19. The Court is working to establish protocols to assist in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 while still offering essential Court services.

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