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Dayton Municipal Court

Welcome

Welcome

The Dayton Municipal Court is a limited jurisdiction court of record, whose judicial function is to apply the law to specific controversies brought before it and to resolve disputes between people and other legal entities. The Court operates under the rule of law to ensure that the protections of law are available to all persons.

The Dayton Municipal Court was created in 1913 by the Ohio State Legislature and began its judicial operation in 1914. The Court has the boundaries of the City of Dayton. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over violations of any ordinance of the City of Dayton, Ohio statutory misdemeanor or traffic violations committed in Dayton, and preliminary hearings for felony cases that occur in the City of Dayton. Jurisdiction also includes civil cases, when the amount in dispute is $15,000 or less, and small claims cases, when the amount in dispute is $6,000 or less.

Five full-time judges serve on the Dayton Municipal Court. Each judge is elected on a nonpartisan ballot to serve a six-year term of office. Judges must be attorneys, that have practiced law for a minimum of six years and are residents of the City of Dayton. All judges are sworn to administer justice in every case and to ensure that the cases before them are conducted in an impartial and equitable manner. Annually, the judges elect a presiding judge and an administrative judge. These judges meet regularly with the court administrator to review the operations and policies of the court.

Two full-time magistrates are appointed by the Court to hear certain civil cases, small claims cases, and eviction procedures. They preside over initial appearances for defendants summoned for arraignment. They also preside over minor traffic and criminal cases.

The administrative, professional, technical and clerical functions of the Court are provided by 58 Court employees. Support positions include a court administrator, magistrates, court technology manager and IT technical support coordinator, probation officers, pretrial release officers, assignment coordinators, bailiffs, secretaries, paralegals, and electronic home detention officers.

Hours

Hours

8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, for the acceptance of case filings and payments.

Visit clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov to make payments and get information on Jury, Criminal, Traffic, and Civil court cases and tickets.

Dayton Municipal Court
301 West Third Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402

Contact

Municipal Court Title Phone Number Fax Number
Ann Marie Murray Court Administrator (937) 333-4338 (937) 333-4494
Carl S. Henderson Presiding Judge (937) 333-4350 (937) 234-1552
Deirdre E. Logan Administrative Judge (937) 333-4369 (937) 333-4496
Franklin W. Gehres Judge (937) 333-4366 (937) 333-5114
Christopher D. Roberts Judge (937) 333-4342 (937) 333-5085
Mia Wortham Spells Judge (937) 333-4345 (937) 234-1556
Bailiffs (937) 333-4325 (937) 234-1522
Magistrates (937) 333-4456 (937) 333-2849
Supervision Services (937) 333-4375 (937) 333-5193
Clerk of Court Title Phone Number Fax Number
Marty Gehres Clerk of Court (937) 333-4300 (937) 333-4468
Civil Division (937) 333-4471 (937) 333-4468
Criminal Division (937) 333-4315 (937) 333-4490
Jury Information (937) 333-4307 (937) 333-4468
Traffic Division (937) 333-4310 (937) 333-7558
Warrant Enforcement (937) 333-4339 (937) 234-1522

Contact

Municipal Court

Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Ann Marie Murray
Court Administrator
(937) 333-4338
(937) 333-4494
Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Carl S. Henderson
Presiding Judge
(937) 333-4350
(937) 234-1552
Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Deirdre E. Logan
Administrative Judge
(937) 333-4369
(937) 333-4496
Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Franklin W. Gehres
Judge
(937) 333-4366
(937) 333-5114
Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Christopher D. Roberts
Judge
(937) 333-4342
(937) 333-5085
Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Mia Wortham Spells
Judge
(937) 333-4345
(937) 234-1556
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Bailiffs
(937) 333-4325
(937) 234-1522
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Magistrates
(937) 333-4456
(937) 333-2849
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Supervision Services
(937) 333-4375
(937) 333-5193

Clerk of Court

Name
Title
Phone Number
Fax Number
Marty Gehres
Clerk of Court
(937) 333-4300
(937) 333-4468
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Civil Division
(937) 333-4471
(937) 333-4468
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Criminal Division
(937) 333-4315
(937) 333-4490
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Jury Information
(937) 333-4307
(937) 333-4468
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Traffic Division
(937) 333-4310
(937) 333-7558
Department
Phone Number
Fax Number
Warrant Enforcement
(937) 333-4339
(937) 234-1522

Documents

Documents

Annual Report

Annual Report

Court Notice

Court Notices

Court Rules

Court Rules

Civil Division Fees and Costs List

Civil Fees

Civil Division Forms

Civil Forms

Traffic and Criminal Division Forms

Traffic & Criminal Forms

Employment

Employment

The Dayton Municipal Court is currently seeking qualified applicants for the following position(s):

Court Staff Attorney and Magistrate

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

All prospective jurors call (937) 333-7566 after 4:30 p.m. on the evening before your scheduled reporting date. A recorded message will advise you if you need to report for jury service. If you are not required to report for jury service because your jury has been canceled, there is no need to make any additional telephone calls. If you are selected for service on another jury, you will receive another jury summons.

Pursuant to Ohio Law, no one is exempt from jury duty. If you have a circumstance or condition that you believe will cause a hardship for you to serve as required, you might be excused. Excuses can only be granted by the Judge assigned to this jury or his/her representative. You can determine the judge assigned to your jury case by reading the jury summons that you have received. To request to be excused from Jury Duty, call the Judge to whom you are assigned for trial.

All prospective jurors can expect to be present at court for at least a half day for jury selection process. If you are selected as a juror, expect that your service will last an additional one half to two days. On a rare occasion the jury may last longer.

There are no points associated with these citations, and the violations will not appear on your driving record.

You do not need to provide proof of insurance for these citations.

If the citation is not paid by the due date listed on your citation, a $25.00 late fee will be added to the balance.

If you have $250.00 or more in citations, you may set up a payment plan.

You may make partial payments; however if the balance is not paid in full by the due date, you are subject to a $25.00 late fee.

You must complete option “C” (Affidavit) on the back of your citation designating another person as the driver. You have 30 days from receipt of the citation to complete, notarize, and return the affidavit to our office.

You have 30 days from receipt of the citation to contest and request a hearing. To contest the citation, you must complete option “B” on the back of the citation. You will be notified by mail of your trial date. If you return the form in person, you will be given notice of your court date before you leave. Please note that if found liable, there will be $40.00 in court fees added to the penalty amount.

Yes, these citations can also be paid online at clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov. Make sure you go under Parking & Photo to look up your citation.

An image of your vehicle is provided on the citation. Unfortunately you are not able to view the image online.

You must complete option “C” (Affidavit) on the back of your citation designating who the driver was at the time of the violation. You have 30 days from receipt of the citation to complete, notarize, and return the affidavit to our office.

Citations must be paid within 30 days of the issue date. The payment due date is listed on your citation. If the citation is not paid by the due date listed, a $25.00 late fee will be added to the balance.

Complete option “C” (Affidavit) on the back of your citation stating you sold the vehicle and attach a copy of the transfer of sale or title. You have 30 days from receipt of the citation to complete, notarize, and return the affidavit to our office.

If the vehicle was stolen, you must complete option “C” (Affidavit) on the back of your citation stating the vehicle or plate was stolen and attach a copy of the police report. You have 30 days from receipt of the citation to complete, notarize, and return the affidavit to our office.

If you have complaints about these citations you can contact the City Manager or City Commission.

All parking tickets and all criminal and traffic tickets which have the words “MINOR MISDEMEANOR” printed on the top of your ticket may be paid without the necessity of a court appearance. The only exception is if your minor misdemeanor is for a moving violation and it is more than your second moving violation in the past 12 months. A court appearance is then required. All other tickets require a court appearance. If you must appear in court or wish to plead not guilty the date and time of your court appearance is indicated in the box in the lower right section of your ticket.

All payable tickets and parking tickets can be paid in person or by mail.

PAY ONLINE – Pay your fine online at clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov with a VISA or MASTERCARD. Traffic Tickets will be in the system within five (5) business days. Electronic parking tickets will be available for online payment within 12 hours of issuance. Handwritten parking tickets will be available for online payment within two business days of issuance.

PAYING IN PERSON – To pay between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday report to the Dayton Montgomery County Courts Building at 301 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45402. Payments can be made in the lobby at either the Criminal Division or Traffic Division counters. After hours payments and weekend and holiday payments are accepted at the Clerk’s Office in the lobby of the Montgomery County Jail at 330 W. Second St., Dayton, Ohio 45402. Cash, money orders, certified checks, traveler’s checks and personal checks (no starter checks) are acceptable methods of payment at either location. MasterCard and Visa are accepted only at the Courts Building. Check directions for location and parking information.

PAYING BY MAIL – Payments can be sent by mail by enclosing the ticket with either a certified check, money order, or personal check (no starter checks) for the amount of the fine into an envelope addressed to: Dayton Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 10700, Dayton, Ohio 45402. Make sure payments are mailed at least 4 days prior to the court date on the ticket to avoid a warrant.

The fines for all handwritten parking tickets are printed on the back of the ticket. For traffic tickets go to clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov to find your fine amount, or call (937) 333-4302.

Wait at least 4 days from the date you mailed in the payment and then look up your information online at clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov or call (937) 333-4302. In most cases, payment will have been received and posted by then.

If you pay in person and bring the ticket with you, you can pay beginning the day the ticket was issued.

If you pay online at clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov, electronic parking tickets will be available for online payment within 12 hours of issuance. Handwritten parking tickets will be available for online payment within two business days of issuance. For Traffic Tickets please allow five (5) business days from date of issue to make a payment online.

If you pay in person and do not have the ticket, you need to wait at least five (5) business days from the date of issue before attempting to pay.

If you pay by mail, payment can be sent immediately.

All inquiries regarding suspensions or points need to be requested from the State of Ohio, Bureau of Motor Vehicles their address and phone numbers are:

Columbus Office Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1583 Alum Creek Dr.
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0084
(614) 752-7700

Cincinnati Office Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1236 W. Kemper Rd.
Forest Park, Ohio 45240
(513) 742-7535

You must bring proof of insurance whenever you pay or go to court on a traffic ticket.

To find out if a warrant has been issued for your arrest for an offense committed in the City of Dayton, call (937) 333-4339.

To receive instructions on canceling a warrant on this web site you need to know what kind of warrant has been issued for your arrest.

FAILURE TO APPEAR AT INITIAL APPEARANCE – You have been issued a ticket or citation and have never made the first court appearance. If you have a warrant for failure to appear at an initial appearance for a traffic ticket or criminal offense, report to Room 401 on the fourth floor in the Dayton Montgomery County Courts Building between 8:15 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday to have your case prepared to be heard by the Judge that morning.

FAILURE TO APPEAR AT PRETRIAL CONFERENCE OR TRIAL – You have made an initial appearance and pled not guilty and have failed to appear at your next scheduled hearing. If you have a warrant for failure to appear at a pretrial conference or trial and want to reschedule your hearing and know which Judge you are to appear before (see the notice you received) call that Judge’s office to reschedule. If you do not know the Judge assigned call (937) 333-4339.

FAILURE TO COMPLY – You have been found guilty and have failed to obey any orders which the judge issued at your hearing, such as, report as required to probation, complete any programs required, failed to appear for incarceration etc. If you have a warrant for failure to comply with a judge’s order and want to have the warrant withdrawn, you must speak directly with the sentencing Judge's staff.

FAILURE TO PAY – You have been found guilty and have been fined and have not paid the fine according to the agreed payment schedule. If you have a warrant for failure to pay you must report in person to either the Criminal Division or Traffic Division counter in the lobby of the Dayton Montgomery County Courts Building.

To find out why you have a warrant issued by the City of Dayton, call (937) 333-4339.

Please bring official ID to the Montgomery County Jail to request this information.

Links

Links