Magistrate Court
Magistrate: Rose Vargo McFarland
Clerk of Courts: Carla Hart Contact:(740) 983-2541 Ext #2
General Information
The Mayor may appoint a person as Mayor's Court Magistrate to hear and determine prosecutions and criminal causes in the Mayor's Court that are within the jurisdiction of the Mayor's Court. no person shall be appointed as a Mayor's Court Magistrate unless the person has been admitted to the practice of law in Ohio and, for a total of at least three years preceding the person's appointment or the commencement of the person's service as magistrate, has been engaged in the practice of law in Ohio or served as a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States.
In hearing and determining such prosecutions and causes, the Magistrate has the same powers, duties, and authority as does the Mayor if he were to conduct Mayor's Court, including the ability to hear and determine prosecutions and causes in general, including, but not limited to, the power and authority to decide the prosecution or cause, enter judgment, and impose sentence. The appointment of a Magistrate does not preclude the Mayor from also hearing and determining prosecutions and criminal causes in the Mayor's Court that are within the jurisdiction of the Mayor's Court.
Continuance
If you have a court date scheduled and will be unable to make the court date please contact Carla Hart at the phone number listed above prior to your court date.
Requests for continuances shall be in written format and made either in person or via fax. Under no circumstances can a request for continuance be made verbally. In the event the continuance cannot be made in person or via fax, an exception can be made to allow the defendant or the defendant’s counsel to email the request. If the request is not made in person, it is the responsibility of the defendant or the defendant’s counsel to confirm the request was received by the clerk’s office.
All requests for continuances shall include the date and time the case is being continued to, a time waiver and the defendant or defendant’s attorney’s signature. The date is obtained by contacting the clerk’s office and the person accepting the continuance shall enter the information into the case management system. The clerk’s office shall generate a continuance log for the magistrate to sign, approving all such continuances.
If you fail to show for your assigned court date and fail to make arrangements with the Clerk of Courts, a License Forfeiture &/or Registration Block may be issued.
Proof of Insurance
Pursuant to 4509.101(A) (1) of the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall operate, or permit the operation of, a motor vehicle in this state, unless proof of financial responsibility is maintained continuously throughout the registration period with respect to that vehicle, or, in the case of a driver who is not the owner, with respect to that driver’s operation of that vehicle.
If a person who is issued a citation fails to show the law enforcement officer proof of financial responsibility, they shall be required to provide proof to the court. A copy of the insurance card or declarations page presented to the court shall be placed in the defendant’s file. An electronic version of proof of insurance shall be emailed to a member of the court staff so that a copy can be printed and placed in the defendant’s file. Failure to provide proof may result in a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) suspension of your driving privileges.
Email or Fax insurance information to:
Phone: (740) 983-2541 ext 2Fax: (740) 983-4531
Email: Carla Hart- Clerk of Courts
Court Times
Court is held on Tuesdays at 4:00pm. Current times are posted on the Village calendar.
NOTE: Always double-check to make sure the date has not changed. Call the office with the phone number above.
Court Etiquette
- Be on time for court
- Shirt and Shoes are required; hats and sunglasses are to be removed before entering the courtroom.
- All cellular devices must be turned off or placed in airplane mode before entering the courtroom.
- No food or drinks are allowed in the courtroom.
- No weapons are allowed in the building per ORC 2923.123.
- Only those with business before the Court will be allowed to enter the building. Please do not bring any family members or children with you.
In court, you will be required to answer with one of the following pleas provided by the laws of the State of Ohio:
- GUILTY – The plea of guilty is a complete admission of your guilt.
- NO CONTEST – The plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission to the truth of the facts alleged in the ticket or complaint. A no contest plea cannot be used against you in any other civil or criminal proceeding. If the ticket/complaint correctly states an offense under South Bloomfield and/or State law, you will be found guilty and sentencing will occur.
- NOT GUILTY – The plea of not guilty is a denial of legal guilt. Upon the entering of a not guilty plea, your case will be set for a later pre-trial/trial docket.
- Case Transfer - The defendant can request the case be transferred to Circleville Municipal Court to be heard at a later date.
