Payment of Fines and Waivers
The Court accepts payment by cash, check, money order, Discover, MasterCard or Visa. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court, and can be sent through the mail or paid at the Police Department after hours. Please include the citation or the ticket number with your payments.
Proof of Insurance
Proof of insurance is a State of Ohio requirement. If you showed proof of insurance at the time of the offense, then you have complied with the State of Ohio requirements, no further action on your behalf is required. If you did not show proof of insurance at the time of the offense, the Court is required to notify the State of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles who in turn will mail you a request for proof of insurance. Failure to comply will result in a suspension of your driving privileges. YOU CAN SEND PROOF OF INSURANCE WITH A PAYMENT. BUT DO NOT SEND PROOF OF INSURANCE TO THE COURT AFTER PAYMENT.
See Schedule for Court Costs for all Criminal and Traffic Cases (including charges that can be waived). These costs may be waived if a person is found guilty, unless the court makes a determination that the person is indigent. If you go to trial there may be additional costs incurred for subpoenas; witness fees.
To Plea Not Guilty
If you wish to plead not guilty you must either 1) appear in court at the date and time specified on the citation and enter a verbal not guilty plea, or 2) enter your not guilty plea in writing prior to your court date citation by coming in person with your citation and completing the required paperwork, and you will receive a trial date.
Based on the not guilty plea the court will set a trial date. Once you have entered a not guilty plea, you may not withdraw that plea unless you do so in writing and pay all moneys due.
Extension
If you need to file for an extension of a court date, you must do so in writing no less than three (3) working days before the date set and explain the reason for the request proof of conflict if available. All continuances will be ruled on and a response will be sent by the court. Continuance needs to include name, address, city, state, zip, phone number and ticket number or case number.
Security Statement
Anyone coming to the Cleveland Heights Court are subject to Security Screening.
Mandatory Appearances
If your citation requires a mandatory appearance, when you appear you will need to go through security prior to entering the court room as directed by the security officer on the stated date of your time appearance which is listed on the lower right hand corner of the citation copy given to you by the officer. All proceedings are called in the check-in order. Please be prepared to spend some time in Court.
Failure to Appear
Failure to appear in Court as required will result in the following actions:
- The Court will notify the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles of your failure to appear. The B.M.V. will withhold the issuance or renewal of your driver’s license and registration, and suspend your driving privilege until the case is formally closed.
Additional fees are assessed to a case when warrants are issued.
