Summit County Court Records
The Summit County Court Public Records Policy defines court records as both a case document and an administration document. A case document is a document or any information prepared by or filed with a Summit County Court in a judicial action or proceeding. Examples of such documents or information are exhibits, dockets, pleadings, indices, motions, journals, orders, and judgments. An administrative document means any document and information created, received, or maintained by a Summit County Court that records fiscal, administrative, personnel, or management activities. The Summit County Clerk of Courts maintains court records in compliance with the provisions of the Ohio Rules of Court, Rules of Court for Summit County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, and Ninth District Court of Appeals Local Rules. Access to court records teaches the public about law, accountability, and consequences. A court record can be used as evidence for appeal.
Are Court Records Public in Summit County
Records of Summit County Courts are public records subject to disclosure under the Ohio Public Records Act. As stated by Ohio law, some court records are excluded from public exclosure. Examples of confidential court records are:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile records
- Adoption records
- Genetic test results
- Individual judge rulings
- A court order restricting access to records in an individual case
- Personal information (name and address) of a victim in a criminal case
- Notes, recommendations, drafts, advice, and research of judicial officers and court staff.
- Computer programs, codes, filing systems, and other software owned by the Clerk of Courts.
- Personal identifiers like social security numbers, bank numbers with access/security codes in a court record
What Do Summit County Court Records Contain?
The components of Summit County court records vary by court and case type. The content of a court record provides insight into the significant details of a case. Below are the highlights of the information included in a court record:
- Case information (file date, case number, case type, and judge name)
- Parties (Plaintiff and defendant’s names and addresses and their attorney details)
- Date of birth, gender, and race of defendants in a criminal case
- Lien information (volume, page, risk/claim no, judgment amount and date, court, interest date, ROI, and serial number)
- Dockets/motions (filing date, attorney’s name, docket and pleading texts, and document)
- Service (party name, issued date, writ type, service date and type, status, tracking ID, and document)
- Judges/magistrates (date assigned, term date, and judge’s name)
- Hearing records (hearing type and date)
- Offense records (charge type, code and description, date, degree, Agy/MUN Case Number)
Where to Conduct a Summit County Case Lookup
A case document is generated when a case is filed with the court. Individuals can retrieve court records from any of the following custodians situated in Summit County:
- Akron Municipal Court
- Barberton Municipal Court
- Stow Municipal Court
- Ninth District Court of Appeals
- Summit County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations Division, General Division, Probate Division, and Juvenile Division)
How to Conduct a Summit County Case Records Search
Individuals can conduct a Summit County case records search online or in person at the court where the case was filed. Online requests can be made through the Records Search tool or the Public Records Request form. This request form can be submitted by email, mail, or in person. Alternatively, individuals can visit Summit County Courts during office hours to inspect or obtain copies of court records. To facilitate the search, the requester must provide a case number, file date, or party name. Certified copies of court records cost $1 per page, and plain copies cost $0.10 per page. Summit County Court provides several delivery options for court records. Individuals can pick up their court records in person, by mail, email (excluding certified copies), or interoffice (Summit County staff).
Summit County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court records contain information brought to court that relates to disputes between people or organizations. The Summit County Clerk of Courts is the custodian of civil court case records. The Summit County Clerk of Courts Civil Division maintains civil cases as far back as 1990. Individuals can retrieve civil case records online or in person at the court where the case was filed. Online requesters can initiate their requests through the Records Search tool or the Public Records Request tool. The Clerk of Courts Office has a File Room where individuals can view and/or copies of court records from Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summit County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court records are data, information, files, or documents that contain cases on alleged violations of criminal law. The Summit County Clerk of Courts has kept criminal court case records from 1986 till date. Individuals can use the Records Search tool or the Public Records Request tool the Clerk provides to conduct a criminal court case records search. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Clerk of Courts Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to obtain copies of court records.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
The Summit County Clerk of Courts has a Records Search tool on its homepage that can be used to get court records online for free. A click on the tool leads to a disclaimer page where users have to agree to the information provided therein. Afterward, select a division where the case was filed on the next page. Generally, users should be able to conduct a search by case number, name, commercial name, judge name, date, case type, or document type. This search returns results on the desired court record at no cost.
Courts in Summit County
Below are the addresses of all the courts in Summit County:
The Akron Municipal Court
Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center
217 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 375-2120
Barberton Municipal Court
576 W Park Avenue
Room 205
Barberton, OH 44203
Phone: (330) 753-2261
Fax: (330) 861-7120
Stow Municipal Court
4400 Courthouse Boulevard
Stow, OH 44224
Phone: (330) 564-4200
Ninth District Court of Appeals
121 S. Main Street
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 643-2250
Fax: (330) 643-2091
Summit County Juvenile Court
650 Dan Street,
Akron, OH 44310
Phone: (330) 643-2900
Summit County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Court
205 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 643-2365
Summit County Court of Common Pleas General and Probate Divisions
209 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 643-2162 (General Division)
(330) 643-2350 (Probate Division)
