This page explains whether you can have a jury decide your traffic case, how to ask for one, and the deadline. It also explains what happens if you ask for a jury in a mayor's court. It summarizes Traffic Rule 9, Criminal Rule 23 and R.C. 2945.17, and links to the official text.
Ohio law gives a right to a jury trial for most offenses, but not all. There is no jury right for:
a minor misdemeanor, or
an offense where no jail or prison term is possible and the possible fine is $1,000 or less.
Check the charge on your ticket and the penalty for it. If you are not sure whether jail is possible, ask the court or a lawyer.
Traffic Rule 9(A) says jury demands are made under Criminal Rule 23. (Traf.R. 9(A))
The deadline depends on whether your charge is a "petty offense." A petty offense is one where the possible confinement is six months or less. (Traf.R. 2(D))
In a petty offense case, the judge decides the case unless you demand a jury. Your demand must be:
in writing, and
filed with the clerk of court by whichever of these is later:
at least 10 days before the trial date, or
on or before the third day after you receive notice of the trial date.
If you do not file a demand this way, you give up (waive) the jury completely. (Crim.R. 23(A))
For a "serious offense" (possible confinement of more than six months), the rule provides that you may give up a jury before trial by a knowing, intelligent and voluntary written waiver. (Crim.R. 23(A); Traf.R. 2(E))
A misdemeanor jury has eight people. (Crim.R. 23(B))
If you are entitled to a jury and you file a proper demand, the mayor must transfer your case to another court. The mayor's court makes a written order telling you to appear in the new court, keeps any bail in place, and sends the ticket and papers to the new court's clerk. That clerk sets a trial date and notifies you by regular mail. (Traf.R. 9(B), (C))
If you do not demand a jury and you waive it in writing, a mayor may try your case only if the mayor's pay as a judge does not depend directly on convictions, or the mayor is not the chief executive responsible for the town's finances. Any mayor may accept a guilty or no contest plea. (Traf.R. 9(B))
As soon as you get a trial date, count the days. Use the later of the two deadlines above.
File a short written jury demand with the clerk and keep a time-stamped copy.
Ask the clerk whether the court has a form or a local rule about jury demands. Practices vary by court.
Jury trials can involve costs and scheduling rules that differ by court. Ask the clerk, or talk to a lawyer.
Rules and statutes change. This page gives a plain-language summary with links to the official text. If this summary and the official text differ, the official text controls.
Last verified: 2026-10-13