Mayor's Court

The City of Canal Winchester Mayor's Court hears misdemeanor offenses occurring within the city's corporation limits. The Mayor's Court Clerk, under the supervision of the Finance Director, is responsible for the collection of fines and fees and maintenance of traffic and criminal citations.

The City of Canal Winchester contracts with the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office and Madison Township Police Department to provide police services to the city. Fairfield County Sheriff Deputies and Madison Township Deputies have the authority to enforce all city ordinances.

Fines and Fees

Fines and fees are set by city ordinance.

Payment Information

The City of Canal Winchester accepts cash, money orders, credit cards and checks. Payments can be made by mail, in person at City Hall, in the 24 hour drop box located behind City Hall, or online. No payments will be accepted over the phone.

For traffic citations paid by mail, please include your ticket signed on the reverse side.

Online payments are only accepted for traffic citations. Payments for criminal citations or to a payment plan must be made by mail, in person, or through the drop box. Please note that there is a fee for online payments.

Court Information

Canal Winchester's Mayor's Court is held the first and third Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at City Hall  (45 E. Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Court is presided over by a Magistrate.

Please note that children are not permitted in court. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

Court Procedures

Upon arrival, each defendant attending court will be asked to sign a Basic Rights form. This form explains your rights and defines what it means to plead guilty, not guilty, and no contest. It is important that this form is completed by each defendant as it is used to inform the city prosecutor and magistrate that you are in attendance.

Defendants will be given the opportunity to discuss their case with the city's prosecutor prior to pleading in front of the magistrate. Court will not start until each defendant has spoken with the prosecutor and we encourage defendants to arrive prior to 1 p.m. to expedite this process.

Defendants are seen by the magistrate on a first come, first served basis. Trials will be held after all other defendants have pleaded.