Mahoning County Court Records
What Is Mahoning County Court Records
Court records in Mahoning County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, these records constitute public documents maintained by the judicial branch of government.
Mahoning County court records typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
- Docket sheets chronicling case events and filings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing records in criminal matters
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Probate documents including wills and estate inventories
These records differ from other public records such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax documents, which are maintained by separate county departments rather than the courts.
The Mahoning County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of records for several courts within the county judicial system. Records are maintained by various courts including:
- Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
- Domestic Relations Division
- Juvenile Division
- Probate Court
- County Court (for areas without municipal courts)
- Municipal Courts (Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers, Sebring)
Court records encompass documentation from civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, domestic relations matters, probate proceedings, traffic violations, and small claims disputes. The specific content and format of these records vary according to case type and the court of jurisdiction.
Are Court Records Public In Mahoning County
Court records in Mahoning County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act and the constitutional principle of open courts established in Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Civil case files (with certain exceptions for sealed cases)
- Criminal case files (post-charging, with exceptions for sealed or expunged records)
- Court dockets and calendars
- Judgments, orders, and decrees
- Hearing schedules and court calendars
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Probate records including wills and estate inventories
However, certain records may be restricted from public access, including:
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Records sealed by court order
- Documents containing sensitive personal identifiers
- Grand jury proceedings
- Certain domestic violence case information
Access to court records in Mahoning County is governed by the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence, specifically Rules 44-47, which establish statewide standards for public access to court records while protecting legitimate privacy interests.
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the Northern District of Ohio (which includes Mahoning County) are maintained separately through the federal PACER system and are subject to federal access rules rather than state regulations.
How To Find Court Records in Mahoning County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Mahoning County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The county currently maintains both electronic and physical record repositories.
To obtain court records in person:
- Identify the appropriate court that maintains the desired records
- Visit the clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form specifying the case number, party names, or other identifying information
- Present valid photo identification if required
- Pay any applicable copy fees (typically $0.10-$1.00 per page)
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts - Legal Division
120 Market Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2104
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts
For electronic access to court records:
- Visit the Mahoning County Courts E-Services portal
- Register for an account if accessing restricted information
- Select the appropriate court division
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
- Review available documents and download as needed
For certified copies of court records:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate clerk's office
- Include case information and specific documents needed
- Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests
- Include payment for certification fees (typically $1-$5 per document)
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20, the clerk may charge reasonable fees for copies and certifications of court records. Fee schedules are posted at each clerk's office and on the county website.
How To Look Up Court Records in Mahoning County Online?
Mahoning County provides several online portals for accessing court records electronically. These systems allow users to search for cases and view certain documents without visiting the courthouse in person.
The primary online resources include:
-
Mahoning County Courts E-Services Portal
- Access at https://ecourts.mahoningcountyoh.gov/eservices/home.page.2
- Search Common Pleas Court cases (General, Domestic, and Criminal Divisions)
- View case dockets, party information, and scheduled hearings
- Access certain filed documents (some may require registration)
- Search by case number, party name, attorney, or filing date
-
Mahoning County Probate Court Records
- Access through the Probate Court website
- Search for probate cases, marriage licenses, and guardianships
- View docket entries and case status information
- Access certain non-confidential probate documents
-
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Records Search
- Available through the Record Searches page
- Search for civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases
- Access judgment liens and court dockets
- View case status and party information
To conduct an online search:
- Select the appropriate court system portal
- Choose the case type or record category
- Enter search criteria (minimum of last name or case number typically required)
- Review search results and select specific cases for detailed information
- View available documents (note that some documents may not be available online)
Users should be aware that certain sensitive documents and sealed cases will not appear in online searches, and some records may require in-person requests at the appropriate clerk's office.
How To Search Mahoning County Court Records for Free?
Mahoning County provides several options for accessing court records without charge, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which states that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."
Free access options include:
-
In-Person Inspection
- Visit the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files or docket information
- Examine records at designated public terminals or viewing areas
- No charge for inspection (copying fees may apply)
-
Public Access Terminals
- Available at courthouse locations throughout the county
- Provide free access to electronic court records
- Search case information without registration or fees
- Located in clerk's offices and law libraries
-
Online Basic Searches
- Basic case information available through Mahoning County Court Services
- Free access to case dockets and status information
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date
- No registration required for basic searches
Mahoning County Law Library
120 Market Street, 1st Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2295
Mahoning County Law Library
While basic record searches are available without charge, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of documents ($0.10-$1.00 per page)
- Certified copies of court records ($1-$5 per document)
- Extensive research assistance by clerk staff
- Access to certain specialized databases or complete document images
The Mahoning County Clerk of Courts maintains a current fee schedule for all services, and fee waivers may be available for indigent persons upon proper application to the court.
What's Included in a Mahoning County Court Record?
Mahoning County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings, with contents varying by case type and court of jurisdiction. Pursuant to Ohio Rules of Superintendence Rule 44(B), court records include both case documents and administrative documents.
Civil Case Records typically include:
- Complaint or petition initiating the action
- Summons and proof of service documents
- Answers, counterclaims, and cross-claims
- Motions and supporting memoranda
- Discovery documents filed with the court
- Affidavits and witness statements
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Final disposition documents
Criminal Case Records typically include:
- Indictment or information
- Arrest warrant or summons
- Bond information
- Plea documents
- Pretrial motions and orders
- Evidence inventory lists
- Sentencing information
- Probation reports (may be restricted)
- Appeal notices
- Post-conviction filings
Domestic Relations Records typically include:
- Divorce or dissolution petitions
- Financial disclosure statements
- Parenting plans
- Child support worksheets
- Property division agreements
- Qualified domestic relations orders
- Final decrees
Probate Records typically include:
- Wills and codicils
- Estate inventories
- Guardianship applications
- Adoption petitions (confidential)
- Marriage license applications
- Name change petitions
- Trust documents
Administrative Records typically include:
- Court dockets listing all case events
- Calendars and scheduling information
- Judge assignments
- Court reporter logs
- Filing fee receipts
Each court record also contains a case docket sheet that chronologically lists all filings, hearings, and actions taken in the case, serving as an index to the complete case file.
How Long Does Mahoning County Keep Court Records?
Mahoning County courts retain records according to schedules established by the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence, specifically Rules 26-26.05, which mandate minimum retention periods for various court documents. These retention schedules ensure the preservation of important legal records while allowing for the eventual disposition of outdated materials.
Key retention periods include:
Civil Cases:
- General civil cases: 5 years after final order
- Personal injury/property damage: 2 years after final order
- Professional tort cases: 12 years after final order
- Product liability cases: 15 years after final order
- Other torts: 5 years after final order
- Workers' compensation: 5 years after final order
- Foreclosures: 3 years after final order
Criminal Cases:
- Capital punishment cases: Permanently
- Felony cases: 50 years after final order
- Misdemeanor cases: 5 years after final order
- Traffic cases: 5 years after final order
- DUI cases: 50 years after final order
Domestic Relations Cases:
- Divorce/dissolution with children: 25 years
- Divorce/dissolution without children: 12 years
- Domestic violence: 5 years
- Support enforcement: 1 year after termination
- Visitation enforcement: 1 year after termination
Probate Records:
- Wills: Permanently
- Estates: 12 years after final account
- Guardianships: 5 years after termination
- Trusts: 10 years after termination
- Marriage licenses: Permanently
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2303.09, the clerk of courts must maintain complete records of all cases and actions in the court of common pleas. After the retention period expires, records may be:
- Transferred to microfilm or electronic format
- Transferred to the Ohio History Connection (formerly Ohio Historical Society)
- Destroyed following proper procedures
Records of significant historical value may be preserved beyond the minimum retention periods at the discretion of the court.
Types of Courts In Mahoning County
Mahoning County's judicial system consists of several courts with distinct jurisdictions and authority. Each court handles specific types of cases as established by Ohio law.
Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas - General Division
120 Market Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2158
Court of Common Pleas
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
120 Market Street, 3rd Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2208
Domestic Relations Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
300 East Scott Street
Youngstown, OH 44505
(330) 740-2278
Juvenile Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Mahoning County Probate Court
120 Market Street, 2nd Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2310
Probate Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Youngstown Municipal Court
9 West Front Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 742-8844
Youngstown Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Campbell Municipal Court
351 Tenney Avenue
Campbell, OH 44405
(330) 755-1663
Campbell Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Struthers Municipal Court
6 Elm Street
Struthers, OH 44471
(330) 755-1800
Struthers Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sebring Municipal Court
135 East Ohio Avenue
Sebring, OH 44672
(330) 938-9873
Sebring Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Ohio court system hierarchy places these courts in the following order:
- Municipal and County Courts (limited jurisdiction)
- Court of Common Pleas (general trial jurisdiction)
- Ohio Court of Appeals - 7th District (appellate jurisdiction)
- Ohio Supreme Court (final appellate authority)
What Types of Cases Do Mahoning County Courts Hear?
Mahoning County's various courts adjudicate specific case types according to jurisdictional boundaries established by the Ohio Revised Code.
Court of Common Pleas - General Division
- Civil cases involving claims exceeding $15,000
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Administrative appeals
- Complex commercial litigation
- Real property disputes
- Civil rights claims
- Appeals from municipal and county courts
Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
- Divorce and dissolution proceedings
- Legal separation cases
- Annulment actions
- Child custody determinations
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Spousal support matters
- Domestic violence civil protection orders
- Post-decree modifications
Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
- Delinquency cases involving minors
- Unruly child proceedings
- Juvenile traffic offenses
- Abuse, neglect, and dependency cases
- Permanent custody determinations
- Paternity establishment
- Child support for unmarried parents
- Juvenile civil protection orders
Probate Court
- Estate administration
- Will contests
- Guardianships for minors and incompetent adults
- Conservatorships
- Trust administration
- Adoption proceedings
- Name changes
- Marriage licenses
- Mental health commitments
Municipal Courts (Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers, Sebring)
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Civil disputes up to $15,000
- Small claims cases up to $6,000
- Landlord-tenant matters
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Criminal and civil protection orders
- Eviction proceedings
County Court (for areas without municipal courts)
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Traffic violations
- Civil disputes up to $15,000
- Small claims cases up to $6,000
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
Case assignment follows jurisdictional rules based on:
- Subject matter of the dispute
- Geographic location within the county
- Dollar amount in controversy
- Age of parties involved (juvenile matters)
- Relationship between parties (domestic relations)
How To Find a Court Docket In Mahoning County
Court dockets in Mahoning County provide chronological listings of all filings, hearings, and judicial actions in a case. These records are accessible through several methods depending on the court and case type.
To access court dockets electronically:
-
Mahoning County Courts E-Services Portal
- Visit the E-Courts portal
- Select "Case Search" from the available options
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
- View docket entries chronologically with filing dates and document descriptions
- Access available document images if authorized
-
Probate Court Docket Search
- Navigate to the Probate Court website
- Select "Case Search (Docket)" from the menu options
- Enter case number or party name
- Review chronological listing of all probate case events
-
Clerk of Courts Record Search
- Access the Record Searches page
- Choose the appropriate case type
- Enter search parameters
- View docket sheets for matching cases
To access court dockets in person:
- Visit the appropriate clerk's office during business hours
- Complete a docket search request form
- Provide case number or party names
- Review docket information on public access terminals
- Request printed copies if needed (fees may apply)
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts
120 Market Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2104
Clerk of Courts
For upcoming court hearings and trial schedules:
- Access the Court Services page
- Select "Court Calendar" or "Hearing Schedule"
- Choose the appropriate court division
- View scheduled hearings by date, judge, or case type
Pursuant to Ohio Rules of Superintendence Rule 45(E), court dockets are generally public records, though certain case types may have restricted access.
Which Courts in Mahoning County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Mahoning County, certain courts operate as "courts not of record," meaning they do not maintain comprehensive verbatim transcripts of all proceedings. According to Ohio Revised Code § 1901.01, municipal courts are designated as courts of record, while mayor's courts are classified as courts not of record.
The following courts in Mahoning County are not courts of record:
Mayor's Courts:
- Beloit Mayor's Court
- Craig Beach Mayor's Court
- Lowellville Mayor's Court
- New Middletown Mayor's Court
- Poland Mayor's Court
- Washingtonville Mayor's Court
These courts have limited jurisdiction over:
- Local ordinance violations
- Minor traffic offenses
- First offense OVI/DUI cases
- Certain misdemeanor violations
Key characteristics of courts not of record include:
- Proceedings are not recorded verbatim
- No official court reporter is present
- Appeals are heard de novo (completely new hearing) in municipal or county court
- Presiding mayor or magistrate is not required to be an attorney
- Limited authority to impose jail sentences
All other courts in Mahoning County, including the Court of Common Pleas (General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate Divisions) and all Municipal Courts (Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers, and Sebring), are courts of record. These courts maintain complete records of all proceedings, including verbatim transcripts when requested, and appeals from these courts are based on the official record.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 1905.033, mayor's courts must file monthly activity reports with the Ohio Supreme Court, but they are not required to maintain the same level of comprehensive records as courts of record.
Lookup Court Records in Mahoning County
Mahoning County E-Courts Portal
Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Records
Mahoning County Record Search Options