Huron County
Common Pleas Court
Probate and Juvenile Divisions

Traffic Division

trafficTraffic Division

The Huron County Juvenile Court handles traffic cases involving persons under the age of eighteen who reside in Huron County, Ohio or whose violation occurs in Huron County, Ohio.  You will be notified by mail of the date you will need to appear in court.

 

Payment Information

The court accepts payment by cash, check or money order.  Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Huron County Juvenile Court.

Generally, court costs are a minimum of $106.00 for a moving violation and $77.00 for a non-moving violation.  If you go to trial, there may be additional costs incurred for subpoenas, witness fees, etc.  These fees are in addition to the minimum of court costs.  Such fees and costs are ONLY assessed in the event you are found to have committed the traffic violation.  The maximum fine in a juvenile traffic cases is $50.00; sometimes, all or part of the fine is suspended.

 

“DENIAL” Explanation

If you wish to enter a denial to the allegations of the complaint, you must:

  1. Appear in court on the date and time specified in the notice you receive from the court; or
  2. Enter your denial plea in writing prior to the date and time specified in the notice you receive from the court. This is normally done by an attorney.  Based on the denial plea, the court will set a trial date and will notify you by mail or your court date.

 

CONTINUANCES

All requests for continuance must be made in writing.  You can find a motion for continuance in the Juvenile Section in the Pro Se Section of our website.

 

WHAT TO BRING TO COURT

  • Proof of insurance for the vehicle and driver for the date shown on the ticket, if you did not show proof to the officer at the time of the traffic citation.
  • Adequate funds to pay for possible fines and costs.

 

TRIAL PROCEDURE

A trial is a proceeding in which the prosecutor will try to convince the court that you have committed the traffic violation for which you have been charged.  The prosecutor must prove this beyond a reasonable doubt.

You should arrive at court fifteen (15) minutes prior to your scheduled appearance time.  Check in at the juvenile clerk’s office.  Please do not bring any other children to court with you, unless they will be called to testify.

 

DRIVING CLASSES

The 4-H Carteens Program is a driving program the court uses for first time juvenile traffic offenders.  The class is held one day each month on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM at the Norwalk State Highway Patrol Post, 300 S. Norwalk Rd, Norwalk, Ohio.  The child must attend one (1) two hour class.  The fee to participate in the Program is $50.00 per offender.  At the end of the session there will be an examination given which each youth must pass in order to successfully complete the program.

 

The Juvenile Driver Improvement Course is an approved Ohio BMV Juvenile Remedial School.  The court uses this program for second and third time juvenile traffic offenders.  Contact the American Driving School for registration, visit their website: AmericanDrivingSchool.org or call 419-663-1784.  

 

SUSPENSIONS

Court Ordered Suspension

A court may impose a suspension for traffic violations; the length of the suspension is determined by the court.

Reinstatement Requirements

  • Serve the court’s suspension
  • Pay a reinstatement fee to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) if the suspension is longer than 89 days

Parent/Guardian Restriction

A conviction of a traffic offense within the first six months of having a license may result in a parent or guardian having to accompany the driver for six months or until the driver reaches age 17.

Probationary Operating a Vehicle under the Influence (OVI)

A probationary OVI suspension is caused by the conviction of a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher who was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense.

Reinstatement Requirements

  • Serve six-month suspension
  • Complete juvenile remedial driving instruction course at an approved school
  • Pay a reinstatement fee
  • Retake complete driver license exam

Two Violations

An individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to committing two separate moving violations prior to his or her 18th birthday.

Reinstatement Requirements

  • Serve 90-day suspension
  • Complete juvenile remedial driving instruction course at an approved school
  • Pay a reinstatement fee
  • Retake complete driver license exam

Three Violations

An individual is convicted of or pleads guilty to committing three separate moving violations prior to his or her 18th birthday.

Reinstatement Requirements

  • Serve one-year suspension
  • Complete juvenile remedial driving instruction course at an approved school
  • Pay a reinstatement fee
  • Retake complete driver license exam