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Welcome to the Sandusky County Juvenile Court’s website, which was recently updated through the assistance of an Ohio Supreme Court Technology Grant, and the hard work of our incredible Court Staff!

In 1902, Ohio became the fifth state to create a separate Juvenile Court Division within the Common Pleas Courts. Before that time, juveniles as young as 7 years old were considered criminally responsible for their actions and could be treated as adult offenders. In Sandusky County, I serve jointly as Judge of the Juvenile Court and Probate Court simultaneously.

Judge Brad Smith

Judge Brad Smith

My judicial role in Juvenile Court is to oversee the administration of cases related to juvenile delinquents, juvenile traffic offenders, unruly children, custody/visitation/child support matters related to children whose parents were never married, adult charges for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and cases where the local Children Services Agency files an allegation of abuse, neglect or dependency. With the assistance of my Magistrates, we make Findings of Facts and issue Orders in these various types of cases, where the consideration of what is in the “best interest of the child” is always our primary concern. We pride ourselves in giving children and parents chances… but also in holding them accountable for their actions.

Although it is my duty to settle disputes based on the facts and the law, coupled with some judicial discretion, I always encourage the citizens of Sandusky County to make a sincere effort to settle disputes amongst those involved or through mediation, as opposed to creating the ill-will and expense associated with prolonged litigation in Court. Remember, conflict can’t survive without your participation!

Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as your Sandusky County Juvenile & Probate Court Judge since 2009…

This website was developed with monies awarded to the Court through the 2017 Ohio Supreme Court Technology Grant.

JUVENILE COURT NEWS

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deputy Clerk Position Available

Sandusky County Juvenile/Probate Court is accepting applications for a full-time (37.5 hours/week) Deputy Clerk.

Minimum Qualifications: Associate’s Degree in Legal Studies or Paralegal Certificate, or at least 2 years working as an Administrative Assistant. Excellent communication, organizational, computer, and clerical skills are required. Applicants must be able to effectively communicate with attorneys, court personnel, and the public in a friendly manner, follow detailed directions, and be multi-task oriented.

Work Duties Include: Receiving and preparing legal documents, processing filings, managing dockets and cases in the case management system, preparing journal entries, reviewing cases for procedural compliance, preparing and sending correspondence and notices, receiving payments, issuing and posting receipts, answering phones, and responding to public inquiries.

Compensation: Starting wage is $18.50/hour, increasing to $19.00/hour after completion of the probationary period, plus standard County benefits.

How to Apply: Submit application and resume to:
Sandusky County Human Resource Office
622 Croghan Street
Fremont, Ohio

Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 or until filled.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK MY JUVENILE DEPUTY CLERKS FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK AND INPUT IN DEVELOPING OUR WEBSITE AND LOCAL FORMS – JUDGE BRAD SMITH

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