FAQ

If you want to tell the judge about your case or if you want to ask the judge to take certain action in your case, you should not call or write the judge directly.  Instead, you should mail a written motion or letter to the clerk or drop off that document in person at the clerk’s office.  For further information on communications with the judge, see the following brochure: Why Can’t I Talk to the Judge?

To serve on a jury in a particular court, you must be a resident of the geographical area served by that particular court. Ohio jurors must be at least 18 years of age and they must not have lost their right to serve on a jury by having been convicted of certain types of crime. Beyond that, everyone is given the opportunity to be a juror regardless of age (if at least 18) and regardless of occupation.
If you are 75 years of age or older, you may request to be excused from jury duty.

For more information on jury service, please visit the Juror Information Page.

In Delaware County, you may expect to be on call for five or six dates when summoned for service as a petit (trial) juror.  Your report dates will be listed in the paperwork that we send to our prospective jurors.  During your term of jury service, you may be asked to report to the court more than once.  Each time you are asked to report, a different case will be involved.  The typical jury trial lasts for two or three consecutive days.  More complex trials may last longer.

At the end of a typical jury day, jurors are dismissed to return to their homes and then they will return to court the next day if the trial is not finished.

For more information on jury service, please visit the Juror Information page.

If you are a defendant in a criminal case and are seeking a court-appointed attorney, please visit the Public Defender’s Office website to determine your eligibility and the access required forms.

If you do not qualify for a court-appointed attorney, you will need to contact and hire private counsel or represent yourself.

The Andrews House provides a Legal Advice Clinic every third Tuesday.  For more information visit http://andrewshouse.org/programs/interfaith-legal-advice-clinic/ 

You may also contact Ohio Legal Aid to ask whether they may be able to assist you with your case.

The Clerk of Court’s website provides forms for the public and attorneys to utilize in certain types of criminal and civil cases.  You can access the forms here: FORMS


Citizen Guides


Common Pleas Connection


Evidence Presentation Cart

Evidence can be presented through our evidence carts in Courtrooms 2 and 3 by utilizing by a laptop computer, built-in-computer, or the document camera.  A standard HDMI connector is available to connect your device.  Any additional adapters to connect devices such as an iPad or mobile phone to the HDMI input must be brought by the party.

The following guide details the evidence cart technology functionality:

Evidence Presentation Guide for Courtroom 2 and 3

For evidence presentation in Hearing Rooms 5 and 6, you must bring an electronic device to present your evidence through the HDMI connector.  Any additional adapters to connect devices such as an iPad or mobile phone to the HDMI input must be brought by the party.


Forms

Visit Clerk of Court’s Forms Here


Other Helpful Links

Supreme Court of Ohio

Ohio Bar Association

Ohio Judicial Conference

Ohio Attorney General

Ohio Secretary of State

Ohio Laws and Rules

Ohio Legal Aid

Ohio Public Defender

Ohio Legal Help

Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney

Delaware Municipal Court

Columbus Bar Association 

Andrews House Legal Advice Clinic

Access to Justice Resources (Compiled by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Task Force on Access to Justice)

Justice Bus Flyer 2022 (Mobile Legal Aid)