This page contains a general outline of the two systems. The courts with which the average citizen is most apt to be familiar are the trial courts. All of Ohio's state court judges are elected. The governor appoints a replacement when a judge dies or retires before his or her term has expired. Municipal and county courts are limited in jurisdiction.
Most cities have a municipal court, with one or more judges.
The jurisdiction of a municipal court may extend only to the limits of the city where it is situated, or its jurisdiction may extend to certain areas outside the city or even cover a whole county. Within a given county, wherever the jurisdiction of a municipal court does not extend, the jurisdiction of a county court does, so that all of Ohio is within the jurisdiction of either a municipal or county court. A county may have one county court judge, more than one or none at all if the whole county is within the jurisdiction of a municipal court. The mayor is not required to be trained in the law, but must complete special courses conducted by the Supreme Court of Ohio. The courts of common pleas were the original courts of general jurisdiction of the Ohio judicial system.