LEGAL PRACTICE IN THE JUVENILE COURT
Legal practice in the Juvenile Court is restricted by law to attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. If an individual wishes to handle his or her own case, he or she may do so; however, they may not represent others. Due to the complexity of the law and the desire to avoid costly errors, most individuals who have filings before the Court are represented by an attorney. Deputy clerks are prevented by law from practicing law and, therefore, are not permitted to give advice.
A juvenile traffic offender is a child who violates any traffic law or regulation of Ohio or any other state. A moving violation that occurs before a youth’s 18th birthday, requires that youth to attend Traffic Court with a parent or guardian. The Judge has jurisdiction to hear all cases of juveniles issued a traffic citation in Sandusky County.
It may take up to six weeks before you are required to come to Court from the time you receive your citation from law enforcement officials. The Court is required to provide you notice of the hearing which will be sent to the parent/guardian of the juvenile that has been charged with the citation. If you don’t hear from the Court within six weeks from the date of the citation, please contact the Court for direction (call 419-334-6416 or email juvenileinfo@sanduskycountyoh.gov).
The Judge has the authority to exercise broad discretion regarding dispositional alternatives for juvenile traffic offenders. Sanctions may range from fines and costs to court imposed license suspensions of various types. A juvenile traffic offender may be entitled to driving privileges while serving a driving suspension; these likely will be limited from home to work and/or school.
In addition to traditional sanctions, the Judge may require first time offenders to attend an educational driving program called CARTEENS, which is developed by The Ohio State University Extension Office, local 4-H clubs and the Ohio Highway Patrol. The Court will schedule this sanction after the juvenile and their parent/guardian attends traffic court.
If you receive a notice for a hearing and you are unable to attend due to a conflict in your schedule, you can ask for a Motion for Continuance. Generally, continuances are only granted if you are unable to attend due to an emergency situation. You must file a Motion for Continuance and submit it to the Court (by fax 419-334-6210, in person or by mail) when possible at least seven days prior to your scheduled hearing. The address for the Sandusky County Juvenile Court is: 100 N. Park Ave., Fremont, OH 43420. Once the motion is filed, the Judge/Magistrate will make a decision to grant or deny the Motion. The Court will notify the party of the decision prior to the date of the hearing.
Sandusky County Juvenile Court has developed local forms to assist in TRAFFIC filings as follows:
DOES MY PARENT NEED TO ATTEND TRAFFIC COURT?
Yes. The Court requires a parent or guardian to attend Traffic Court with the juvenile.
CAN A GRANDPARENT BRING MY CHILD TO TRAFFIC COURT?
Special permission may be granted for a Grandparent to attend Traffic Court. In order to be granted special permission, the Parent/Guardian must file a Motion asking the Court to consider allowing the Grandparent to attend.
HOW DO I REQUEST DRIVING PRIVILEGES OR ADD A ROUTE TO MY CURRENT PRIVILEGES?
If driving privileges were not granted or you would like to add a route to your current privileges, you must file a Motion for Driving Privileges with the Court.
HOW DO I PAY MY OUT OF STATE “BOND”?
You can pay this by mailing a check or money order to:
Sandusky County Juvenile Court
100 N. Park Ave.
Fremont, OH 43420
Or you may pay by credit card. There will be an additional processing fee of $6 that is associated with payment by credit card. SEARCH HERE for the cost to pay an Out of State Traffic Bond. If you wish to pay by credit card, call 419-334-6213 during normal business hours.
HOW DO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?
It is very important to notify the Court every time you move. In order to change your address, file the Change of Address form with the Court.