For certain misdemeanor offenses, you may have to appear in mayor’s court. It is different from other courts in a few important ways.
A mayor’s court occurs in city hall or another location that is not a typical courtroom. When you go, you will be present with many other people who also have the same court date. The court will hear all your cases in one day. You sit and wait your turn.
Cases
According to the City of North Royalton website, mayor’s court can take cases for traffic violations and misdemeanors. However, it is not a trial court, so any matter that might require a trial will move to a different court.
The main focus of this court is to swiftly move through cases. The court will announce the charges, accept a plea and issue a sentence.
Process
If you want to bypass going to court, you can plead guilty online through the system. You will then get a fine to pay through an online transaction.
If you want to plead not guilty, then you must show up to court. Note that this plea will require the mayor’s court to move your case, so you will have to go to another hearing in another court after pleading in mayor’s court.
Other details
Local municipalities create mayor’s courts. The mayor may preside over the court or he or she can choose a magistrate to do so. The court will operate during normal business hours. It is not open on weekends or holidays.
Mayor’s court is a real court. You should not assume you can ignore the summons. If you receive notice, you must either take care of it online or attend the court date.
