Courts in Portage County, Ohio

Portage Courthouse Info

There are multiple courts in Portage County. The court that hears your case depends on the type and facts of your case.

You can find Portage County court records through CourtView, which is a simple search engine requiring you to know the name of at least one party, case number, ticket number, or case type

Portage County Common Pleas Court – General Division

Ravenna Court House
203 West Main Street
THIRD FLOOR
Ravenna, OH 44266
Judge Doherty’s Office: (330) 297-3866
Judge Pittman’s Office: (330) 297-3858
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Portage County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas handles criminal, civil, and administrative cases.

The Portage County, Ohio, criminal court handles everything from misdemeanors to felonies and even capital murder trials. Civil cases heard in the court include everything from personal injury business disputes, and property matters. Administrative matters handled by the Court of Common Pleas – General Division include workers’ compensation and zoning matters.

If you dispute a case ruling in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas, you can appeal that decision to the Eleventh District Court of Appeals and/or the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Portage County Domestic Relations Court

203 West Main Street
Second Floor, Room 209
Ravenna, OH 44266
Phone: (330) 297-3880
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Portage County Domestic Relations Court is the area’s family court. It handles cases involving divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, parentage, custody disputes, modification of parental rights/responsibilities, parenting time, visitation, child support, spousal support (alimony), enforcement actions, and civil protection orders (CPOs).

When dealing with family conflicts, the court’s goal is to do what is in the children’s best interests. The Domestic Relations Court has a special mediation program, parenting seminars, and domestic relations clinics.

Domestic relations court records are not typically available to the public because they involve minors and confidential information about domestic violence victims. Your Portage County legal representation can help you obtain information you may need from the Domestic Relations Court.

Mediation in Portage County

Mediation is encouraged by the Court of Common Pleas. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party helps the parties voluntarily reach a mutually acceptable resolution to their dispute.

Mediator Benito Antognoli works with the Portage County Court of Common Pleas. His email is bantognoli@portageco.com, and his phone number is (330) 298-3232. He is in the same building as the courthouse in Room No. 308.

Other Courts in Portage County, Ohio

There are multiple other courts in the Portage County court system, as well as a Mayor’s Court in Mogadore.

• Portage County Drug Court – The Hope Drug Court is a specialized drug court docket that is part of the Portage County Court of Common Pleas. It focuses on Help, Opportunity, and Progress through Education (HOPE) instead of punishment.
• Mogadore Mayor’s Court – Located at 135 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore, OH 44260, this court primarily handles traffic tickets, local violations, and lower-level offenses. Magistrate Justin McCarty can be reached at (330) 628-6295. Office Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Mayor’s Court begins at 4:00 p.m.
• Portage County Juvenile Division – The Portage County, Ohio Juvenile/Probate Court is a division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Juvenile Division is located at 8000 Infirmary Road, Ravenna, OH 44266, and the phone number is (330) 297-0881. This court hears all Department of Job and Family Services cases regarding dependent, neglected, and abused children, all juvenile traffic cases, delinquency and unruly offenses, and adult contributing cases. Additionally, the same judge issues marriage licenses and handles estates, adoptions, name changes, and disability commitments.
• Portage County Municipal Court – There are two locations for Portage County’s Municipal Court: Ravenna Municipal Court (203 West Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266) and Kent Municipal Court (303 East Main Street, Kent, OH 44240). This court handles misdemeanor cases and sets bonds for felony cases. It also manages civil matters up to $15,000 in damages and small claims cases up to $6,000 in damages. The three municipal court judges can be reached at Judge Fankhauser’s Office: (330) 297-4277; Judge Poland’s Office: (330) 297-3632; Judge Roubic’s Office: (330) 678-6170.

Locations Served by Portage County Courthouses

These Portage County courthouses offer services to the following  Ohio communities:

Cities

• City of Aurora
• City of Kent
• City of Ravenna
• City of Streetsboro
• City of Tallmadge

Villages

• Village of Garrettsville
• Village of Hiram
• Village of Mantua
• Village of Mogadore
• Village of Sugar Bush Knolls
• Village of Windham

Townships

• Township Trustees-Clerks-Zoning Inspectors
• Atwater Township
• Brimfield Township
• Charlestown Township
• Deerfield Township
• Edinburg Township
• Franklin Township
• Freedom Township
• Hiram Township
• Mantua Township
• Nelson Township
• Palmyra Township
• Paris Township
• Randolph Township
• Ravenna Township
• Rootstown Township
• Shalersville Township
• Suffield Township
• Windham Township

Portage County Courts: What You Need to Know

Preparing for Portage County Court

Appearing in court can be stressful, but thorough preparation can significantly ease your anxiety and improve your experience. Your Portage County lawyer can help you understand the purpose of your court appearance and the expected flow of events. You should organize your paperwork by gathering documents and making copies for yourself and your attorney.

On the day of your court appearance, dress professionally and behave respectfully. Seek legal assistance to get the best outcome in your case.

Find the Right Attorney for Your Portage County Case

Choosing the right attorney is an important decision that can significantly affect the outcome of your court case. You should find a lawyer who thoroughly understands your case’s specific legal field (e.g., criminal defense, family law, etc.).

Seek an attorney with experience in cases with similar complexity to yours. Gather referrals from your personal network, the Portage County Bar Association, and online directories. Schedule consultations and ask any potential lawyers questions regarding their experience and your specific case. When deciding the right lawyer for you, consider cost, compatibility, and experience.

In Portage County, Erb Fights for You

Erb Legal has an office conveniently located in the heart of Portage County, Ohio. At our Ravenna location, our law firm handles criminal defense, family law issues, civil litigation, and more. We know you likely have more questions about your case. We have answers and are ready to help you. Contact us to schedule a consultation.