Public Information Regarding Mayor's Court

Public Information

 

This past week, some misinformation was shared regarding the Mayor's Court, and I would like to clarify the facts. Firstly, the police department and its staff do not have authority over the operations of the Mayor's Court. The magistrate has full authority over the functioning of the Mayor's Court and the resolution of all cases.

The Waynesville Mayor’s Court is one of 297 mayor's courts in Ohio. The state has 88 counties, and 64 of these counties operate a mayor's court. In Warren County alone, there are seven mayor's courts: Carlisle, Harveysburg, Maineville, Morrow, South Lebanon, Springboro, and Waynesville. Mayor's courts allow smaller municipalities to handle cases locally, which helps reduce the caseloads of county and municipal courts.

Our court primarily deals with traffic violations and local ordinances. It is important to note that we are not a court of record, meaning we do not keep audio or video recordings of cases, nor do we maintain written transcripts. Like any court, the Waynesville Mayor’s Court follows specific rules and guidelines, which are outlined in Chapter 1905 of the Ohio Revised Code. ORC Chapter 1905

The Mayor of Waynesville is responsible for appointing a magistrate to oversee the court. The magistrate must be licensed to practice law and/or serve as a judge in a court of record. The magistrate's ability to impose punishments is limited by the severity of the crime, ensuring that penalties are fair and just. If a defendant wishes to appeal a case heard in our court, they have the right to do so. If the appeal is granted, the case will be transferred to the Warren County Court, which is a court of record, and the trial will be conducted de novo.

Waynesville Mayor’s Court is fully accountable for all aspects of its operations. The State of Ohio conducts annual audits of its finances, case management, and procedures. Weekly reports are provided to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, while monthly finance reports are submitted for review by the Village Finance Director. Additionally, quarterly reports are sent to the Ohio Supreme Court to ensure that cases are processed in a timely manner.

We encourage anyone interested in court proceedings to attend, as they are open to the public. Waynesville Mayor’s Court meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, unless a holiday falls on one of these days. Court sessions begin at 5:30 PM.

Chief Copeland - Village Manager