The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is a major trial court in Franklin County, Ohio, located in Columbus. Its General Division has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $15,000.
Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| Court | Franklin County Court of Common Pleas |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Franklin County |
| City | Columbus |
| General Division | Civil & Criminal |
| Main address | 345 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Court phone | 614-525-3453 |
| Clerk phone | 614-525-3600 |
| Case records | Available online |
| Main online record system | Case Information Online (CIO) |
What Does the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Handle?
The General Division has original jurisdiction over:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases involving more than $15,000
- Other matters assigned to the General Division
The court’s jurisdiction is different from the Franklin County Municipal Court, which handles matters such as misdemeanors, traffic cases, and certain civil cases involving $15,000 or less.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Case Search
If you want to find a case, the court directs users to the Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online (CIO) system. The Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the Common Pleas Court.
Depending on the search system and case, you may be able to search using information such as:
- Party name
- Case number
- Case type
- Court information
- Other available case details
When searching by name, check the case number and other details carefully because different people can have the same or similar names.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
The General Division handles felony criminal cases in Franklin County.
Available case information may include:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Charges
- Court events
- Hearings
- Filings
- Case status
- Disposition
A criminal charge or arrest should not be treated as proof of guilt. The final disposition of the case is important when determining how a case ended.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
The General Division also handles civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $15,000.
Civil cases can involve matters such as:
- Contract disputes
- Personal injury claims
- Business disputes
- Property disputes
- Foreclosure cases
- Other civil claims
The Clerk’s Legal Division maintains civil and criminal documents filed with the General Division.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judges
The General Division has multiple judges who hear cases assigned to the court.
Cases can also involve magistrates for certain proceedings. The court provides information about its judges, magistrates, courtrooms, schedules, and related services through its official website.
Because judicial assignments and schedules can change, check the court’s current information when looking for a particular judge or courtroom.
Franklin County Court Dates
If you need to find a Franklin County Common Pleas court date, start by searching the case through the Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online system.
Court records may show:
- Hearing dates
- Case events
- Courtroom information
- Filings
- Other docket activity
Court dates can change because of continuances or other court orders. For an important hearing, verify the current information with the court or Clerk’s Office.
Franklin County Court Address
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division is located at:
345 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
The court’s listed phone number is 614-525-3453. The Clerk of Courts can be reached at 614-525-3600.
The court’s regular hours are listed as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts vs. Court of Common Pleas
These offices have different roles.
| Court of Common Pleas | Clerk of Courts |
| Judges hear and decide cases | Maintains court records |
| Conducts hearings and trials | Receives and manages filings |
| Makes judicial rulings | Provides case-record services |
| Handles assigned court proceedings | Maintains official court documents |
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the Common Pleas Court and the 10th District Court of Appeals.
Can You Get Franklin County Court Documents Online?
Many case documents and case information can be accessed through the Clerk of Courts’ online system.
The court also provides information for public-record requests. Documents relating to civil, criminal, domestic dissolution, and domestic divorce cases can be requested or accessed through the appropriate court-record system, subject to applicable restrictions.
Some records may not be publicly available because they are sealed, confidential, or otherwise restricted.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas e-Filing
The court supports electronic filing (e-Filing) for applicable cases.
The Clerk’s Office reports that e-Filing has been available since 2012 and allows filings to be submitted electronically.
Attorneys and other authorized users should follow the current court and Clerk’s Office requirements for electronic filing.
Why Can’t I Find a Franklin County Common Pleas Case?
If a case does not appear in an online search, possible reasons include:
- Incorrect spelling
- Incorrect case number
- Recently filed case
- Sealed or restricted record
- Case belongs to another court
- Record is not available online
- Searching the wrong division
If you know the case number, use it whenever possible because it can help identify the correct case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas?
It is a trial court in Franklin County, Ohio. Its General Division handles felony criminal cases and civil cases involving more than $15,000.
How do I search Franklin County Common Pleas cases?
Use the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online (CIO) system to search available case information.
Can I search Franklin County Common Pleas cases by name?
Yes, available case-search services allow searches using party information. Always verify the case number, court, and other details.
Where is Franklin County Court of Common Pleas located?
The General Division is located at 345 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
What is the Franklin County Common Pleas Court phone number?
The court’s main number is 614-525-3453. The Clerk of Courts can be reached at 614-525-3600.
Does the court handle felony cases?
Yes. The General Division has original jurisdiction over felony criminal cases in Franklin County.
Final Takeaway
The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is an important trial court serving Franklin County, Ohio. Its General Division handles felony criminal matters and civil cases involving more than $15,000, while the Clerk of Courts maintains the official court records and provides online case-information services.
If you are researching a particular case, use the official Case Information Online system and verify the case number, parties, court events, and disposition before relying on the information.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Court records, schedules, procedures, and access restrictions can change. For an important legal matter, verify information directly with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas or Clerk of Courts.
