Mayor's Court

Mayor's Court convenes on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month starting at 1 PM. Mayor's Court is held at the Municipal Building, located at 1016 Grandview Avenue.

Court Personnel

The Mayor serves as the decision-making authority of Mayor's Court. At the Mayor's request, a Magistrate may be appointed to hear cases in the Mayor's stead. The Prosecutor brings charges on behalf of the City. He or she may make recommendations for fines, penalties or sentencing. If a case is not disposed of during arraignment, the Prosecutor will bring the case to trial on behalf of the City. The Clerk of Courts facilitates the administrative process, court scheduling, and collects fines and penalties.

Mayor: Greta Kearns
Magistrate: Kylie Keitch
Assistant Prosecutor: Darrin Leist
Clerk: Linda Wheeler

If you have any questions concerning your pending court date, contact the Clerk:
Phone: (614) 481-6205
Fax: (614) 481-6200
Email

Payments

If your ticket does not require a court appearance, you may pay your ticket by the court date listed in the box at the bottom of the ticket.

Online

To make an online payment, you will need the blue copy of your citation.
You may only pay your ticket online if the Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court box is checked in the upper left-hand corner of your ticket.

Marble Cliff Mayor’s Court and Franklin County Court payments are not payable online here.

Click here to make online payment to Grandview Heights Mayor's Court only.

By Mail

If you are mailing your payment, please include the following:

1. Your ticket, signed on the back at the bottom.

2. Make your check or money order payable to the “City of Grandview Heights”. DO NOT MAIL CASH.

3. If it was not shown to the officer and is not marked on your ticket, please enclose a copy of your proof of insurance.

4. Please mail to: Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court, 1016 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212.

In Person

Payment may be made by check, money order, cash, debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) at the Police Dispatcher’s window (1016 Grandview Avenue) 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. any day of the week.

Failure to timely pay a ticket that is not being contested may result in a License Forfeiture or Bench Warrant for failing to appear.

*Please be advised that if FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROOF is not marked “yes” on your citation, you may be receiving a notice from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles requesting proof of insurance.

Your Rights In Court

Your presence in Mayor's Court may be your first experience in any court. This information is designed to help you understand court proceedings and to inform you of your rights and duties. We want every person to leave this Court feeling that he or she has been treated fairly. Mayor's Court is the judicial branch of City Government. Traffic violations and violations of City Ordinances are heard in this Court, and upon conviction , may result in the imposition of monetary penalties, fines, and in some circumstances, a possible jail term. Trials are conducted under the Ohio Code of Criminal Procedure and Ohio Rules of Evidence.

Appearance In Court

When you appear in Court you will be required to obey the following rules:

No weapons may be brought into the building.
Appropriate clothing and shoes will be worn.
The wearing of hats or caps is not allowed for men.
Food and drinks are not allowed in the Courtroom.
While the Court is in session, talking is not allowed, except with authorized Court personnel.
Cell phones are to be on silent mode or turned off.

Right To An Attorney

In all cases in Mayor's Court, you may have an attorney represent you if you choose. When you are charged with an offense that may result in jail time as part of your sentence, you will need to decide whether you want to continue with or without an attorney. If you desire an attorney, and if the Court determines you do not have the means to hire one, the court will transfer your case to Franklin County Municipal Court.

Before Court begins, you must decide upon and enter a plea to the charge against you, and you may consult with your attorney to do so. If you signed a citation in front of an officer, you did not plead guilty, but only signed a promise to appear in Court on your appearance date. There are three possible pleas to a complaint: Guilty, No Contest, and Not Guilty.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What happens when I get a ticket in Grandview Heights?: You will be responsible to either accept the citation and pay the ticket prior to the court date indicated on the ticket, or else appear at your court date and enter a plea. When your name is called, you must stand before the Court for the purpose of entering a plea. You will enter your plea after the charges are read to you by a Court representative. You need make no additional statement. Any statement you choose to make may be used against you. You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

A plea of GUILTY results in being assessed a fine and court costs, and in some cases a jail sentence. A plea of NOT GUILTY means your matter will be assigned a trial date, and you will need to come back for trial. You may, if you choose, retain legal counsel at your expense. Under the American legal system, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On a plea of NOT GUILTY, a trial is held and the city must prove all allegations in the formal complaint against you beyond a reasonable doubt before a verdict of guilty can be reached. A plea of NO CONTEST is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the ticket or complaint. You may be assessed some or all of the fine and court costs, and in some cases a jail term.

TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS ARE REPORTED TO THE BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND BECOME PART OF YOUR DRIVING RECORD

2.How can I contact the prosecutor if I am issued a ticket in the City of Grandview Heights?: You may call the Clerk of Courts at (614) 481-6205, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.

3.What if I am a minor issued a ticket in Mayor's Court?: You should bring one of your parents, or, if you choose, legal counsel, to your court appearance. You should understand what your responsibilities are for any plea that you enter.

4.What is the date for the next Mayor's Court? Please see the City calendar for court dates.

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Franklin County Municipal Court