News

Beginning in March 2020, the Akron Municipal Court has implemented several changes to procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective today, the following modifications have been added to the previously established rules. The information below is categorized by various Akron Municipal Court divisions and/or the type of issue with additional messaging for all court users at the bottom:

Eviction and Small Claims Court
Eviction and Small Claims Court will operate remotely to the extent possible, through July 31, 2020.

No new eviction filings shall be filed unless accompanied by an affidavit, or certificate of counsel, that the subject premises are not a covered property subject to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and, therefore, exempt from the moratorium.

Any pending eviction actions filed within the CARES Act moratorium shall be stayed until July 6, 2020 or until such time the required proof that the subject premises is not covered by the CARES Act, and, therefore, exempt is filed with the Clerk of Courts in each case respectively, whichever is sooner.

Any pending eviction action that is clearly filed in violation of the CARES Act from March 27, 2020 until such time the act expires shall be dismissed without hearing at the filing party’s expense.

Jury Trials
All jury trials will be suspended until after July 31, 2020.

Open Court Hours
Open court hours for each Akron Municipal Court Judge will be suspended indefinitely.

Driving Privileges
Those who need to obtain driving privileges or renew driving privileges must contact the individual courts through email or phone.

Criminal
All criminal proceedings for each judge will be done remotely through July 31, 2020.

No in-person proceedings will be permitted except bench trials and suppression hearings as authorized by the Court.

Civil
Until further notice, filings will be accepted through the mail only.

Traffic Court
Traffic Court will operate remotely to the extent possible, through July 31, 2020.

Arraignment Court
Arraignment Court will operate remotely to the extent possible, through July 31, 2020.

Mediations
The Mediation Department will no longer hold in-person mediations on Saturdays. Our volunteer Supreme Court trained mediators will be holding mediation by video, telephone and e-mail. Mediations are still mandatory and parties are expected to take part in mediation.

For All Court Users
Before a court user wishes to visit the courthouse, he or she is encouraged to call the Court to ensure permission will be granted to enter the building.

If Defendants must appear in-person, masks must be worn and social distancing protocols must be followed.

A departmental directory was recently added to the Akron Municipal Court website to allow court users the ability to contact the appropriate party directly regarding their question(s).