Why are hearings held?
Hearings are a time for the court to hear arguments from both parties in a case so the judge can make a formal decision. Some types of cases are required by law to have hearings, and others are the judge’s choice. Either way, if a hearing is set, it is more powerful than any other discussions about your dispute, and it’s the official way the judge will come to a decision.
Why should I show up to my hearing?
As the hearing is the most important chance you have to argue your case, it is absolutely vital you show up. The hearing is your chance for you to tell your side of the story to the judge. If you don’t show up, you will lose the chance to tell your story, and you could lose the whole case.
What if I can’t show up to my hearing?
If you can’t show up to your hearing, you must contact the court and ask for a continuance. The judge does not have to grant your request for a continuance, so you need to be very clear in why you are asking for one. The Franklin County Municipal Court is the busiest court in all of Ohio and one of the busiest courts in the entire country. It takes a lot of people to make sure the court runs efficiently, so the judge has to be very careful in granting requests for continuances as doing so will affect many other people.
Someone told me my hearing was canceled – do I still have to show up?
Until you hear from the court your hearing has been moved or canceled, you must show up. Never skip your hearing without official notice from the court. Even if you and the other party have come to a settlement agreement, you still need to show up to your hearing unless the court tells you otherwise. For a hearing at the Franklin County Municipal Court, you can look up your case using the Clerk's Record Search to check the status of your hearing.
What happens if I miss my hearing?
If you are not at your hearing, the judge can do many things. If the other party also fails to show, the judge may throw out your entire case. If you are not there but the other party is, the judge may grant them judgment (they win) because you weren’t there to defend yourself. In criminal and traffic cases the judge can put out a warrant for you if you fail to show up to your hearing.
Still have questions about hearings? Visit the Self Help Resource Center Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM.