Minerva Mayor's Court

The Village of Minerva Mayor’s Court is held monthly at 5:30 pm in the council chambers of City Hall, days to be determined. The court reserves the right to reschedule a court session to another date and time in the event of an emergency. The Mayor’s Court hears most of the villages criminal misdemeanor and traffic cases, including first offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs and driving under suspension. The Mayor’s court can not hear domestic violence cases, second or multiple driving under suspension cases or second or multiple driving under the influence of alcohol/drug cases. The date and time of your court hearing will be listed on your traffic citation or misdemeanor summons/complaint.

Failure to pay and/or Appear in court may result in a warrant issued for your arrest, suspension of your driver’s license and/or registration block.

ONLINE DOCKET AND PAYMENTS
You may look up your case and make payments online by credit card by using the link below. A 3.5% transaction fee will apply to any online payments made.

https://www.ohioticketpayments.com/Minerva

Paying Traffic Citations

If your traffic citation is a waiverable violation and you choose to plea guilty and not to appear in court, you must pay your ticket in full PRIOR to the court date and time listed on the ticket.
Payment plans are available; however, you must appear in court to have the payment plan approved by the Mayor. 
If you have a question whether or not the violation with which you are charged is a payable violation or to find out the amount of your fines and costs contact the Minerva Police Department at 330-868-4177

Criminal Misdemeanor Charges

Criminal charges are a mandatory court appearance.

HOW TO PAY YOUR TICKET  OR  MAKE PAYMENTS ON AN OPEN CASE:

Online by credit card at https://www.ohioticketpayments.com/Minerva
        **There is a 3.5% transaction fee for each payment made

In person at the Minerva Police Department  24/7.

Mail your payment – DO NOT MAIL CASH

Make sure the NAME OF DEFENDANT is on your check or money order so the payment gets paid to the correct case.

Make your check or money order payable to: Minerva Mayor’s Court
– Money Orders need to be completely filled out and signed otherwise the payment will not be processed and will be returned to you.

If you are paying for a traffic ticket in full and not coming to court please include the following with your payment
           1. Traffic Ticket, signed on the back
           2. Include a copy of your proof of insurance if it was not shown to the police officer when stopped.

Mail to:
                   Minerva Mayor’s Court
                   209 N. Market St.
                   Minerva, OH 44657

Proof of Insurance & Financial Responsibility

State of Ohio law requires that everyone must provide proof of insurance when requested by a law enforcement officer.

If you did not provide proof of insurance to the law enforcement officer at the time of your citation, you must bring proof of insurance for the date and time of your citation to your court appearance or enclose a copy of your proof of insurance with your payment.

Proof of insurance is required on the vehicle that you were driving on the date and time you were cited. Failure to provide proof of insurance will result in the suspension of your drivers license for a period of not less than 90 days through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Court Process and Plea Descriptions

Tickets Not Requiring Court Appearance:

Most Minor Misdemeanor and Fourth Degree Misdemeanor traffic charges have the option of paying a fine instead of going to Court. To find out the amount of fines and costs, please call (330) 868-4177. Fines can be paid prior to your court date by admitting guilt and paying the total amount of fines and costs.

Tickets Requiring Court Appearance:

The remaining Minor Misdemeanor and Fourth Degree Misdemeanor charges, in addition to all Third, Second and First Degree Misdemeanor charges require a Court appearance.

Arraignment Hearing (Court Date):

The Arraignment Hearing or court date is the first opportunity for the Defendant to see the mayor about his/her case. At this time, the Defendant will be allowed to enter a plea to the charges. All Defendants are advised of their rights to have an Attorney represent them, or they may choose to represent themselves. The right to representation by an Attorney may be used at any time during the process and at any hearings.

Summons/Failure to Appear Notice:

A Summons or Failure to Appear Notice can be issued by the Court after the Defendant fails to appear in court. It is a Court Order which requests the Defendant appear at a later, rescheduled court date and time or to pay their fine in full if it is a payable violation.

Warrant:

If a Defendant fails to appear after a summons has been issued, a warrant for his/her arrest may be issued by the Court. This document allows the Police Department to pick up the Defendant and place him/her in jail pending a Court Arraignment Hearing or until the proper amount of bond has been posted. Additional Court fee’s are assessed as a result of this warrant.

Sentencing Alternatives:

When an individual has been convicted of an offense, the Mayor will impose a sentence. Possible sanctions may include, but are not limited to: fines and court costs, jail time and community service.

Guilty Plea:

The plea of Guilty is a complete admission of the Defendant’s guilt.

No Contest Plea:

The plea of No Contest is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the information or complaint, and such a plea of admission will not be used against the Defendant in any subsequent civil or criminal proceedings.

Not Guilty Plea:

The plea of Not Guilty is a denial of legal guilt, and the case will be transferred to the appropriate County Municipal Court in which the offense occurred. In our village those courts are Alliance Municipal Court, Carroll County Municipal Court or Columbiana County Municipal Court.

Maximum Possible Misdemeanor Penalties for Traffic Offenses

Court Personnel

The clerk is responsible for all court documents and money paid to the Court for fines and costs. The clerk processes all criminal and traffic charges written, case dispositions, warrants, summons, notices, driving privileges, continuances, jail commitments, motions, record requests, adjustment in payment arrangements etc. The clerk also notifies the Bureau of Motor Vehicles of all convictions, points, and suspensions. Court personnel are not permitted to give legal advice or suggest individual legal services. The Clerk of Court can be reached by phone at 330-868-4177.