Franklin County Municipal Court Attorney

Full-Service Representation at Franklin County Municipal Court

Franklin County Municipal Court, located at 375 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 (floors 12–15), is the busiest municipal court in Ohio — hearing tens of thousands of criminal, OVI, traffic, and civil cases each year for Columbus and the surrounding Franklin County communities. Jwayyed Law LLC provides experienced representation in all divisions of this court, including OVI and DUI defense, criminal misdemeanor defense, traffic violations, civil disputes, and landlord-tenant matters. Call (614) 285-5482 to speak with an attorney about your Franklin County Municipal Court case.

OVI / DUI Defense at Franklin County Municipal Court

OVI charges under Ohio Revised Code 4511.19 are among the most frequently litigated matters in Franklin County Municipal Court. A first OVI conviction carries mandatory minimum penalties: 3 days in jail or a certified Driver Intervention Program, fines of $565 to $1,075, and a license suspension of 1 to 3 years — all significantly revised under HB 37, effective April 9, 2025. High-tier OVI charges (BAC 0.17% or above) carry enhanced mandatory minimums even for first-time defendants. A second OVI within 10 years escalates to a minimum of 10 consecutive days in jail, fines of $715 to $1,625, and suspension of 1 to 7 years.

Upon an OVI arrest anywhere in Franklin County, the arresting officer immediately issues an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) notice under ORC 4511.191. The ALS is a separate civil proceeding from the criminal OVI case — and you have only 30 days from the date of arrest to appeal it in Franklin County Municipal Court. Our firm treats the ALS appeal as an emergency matter, filing immediately and requesting a stay of suspension so you can continue driving during the appeal process. Missing this window permanently forfeits your right to contest the suspension.

Our OVI defense strategy at Franklin County Municipal Court includes: evaluating the constitutionality of the initial traffic stop; reviewing body-cam and dash-cam footage of field sobriety test administration; challenging whether NHTSA-standardized procedures were followed for the HGN, walk-and-turn, and one-leg stand tests; obtaining breathalyzer maintenance and calibration records to challenge BAC accuracy; and analyzing blood-draw chain-of-custody documentation. Where BAC is near the legal threshold, the rising BAC defense — arguing BAC was below 0.08% at the time of driving and rose before testing — can be a viable argument. For clients facing career consequences, we also evaluate the impact of an OVI on professional licenses regulated by Ohio boards.

Criminal Misdemeanor Defense

Franklin County Municipal Court handles the full range of misdemeanor criminal charges for Columbus and all Franklin County municipalities. Common cases our firm defends include theft and shoplifting under ORC 2913.02 (misdemeanor of the first degree for amounts under $1,000, with up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine); domestic violence under ORC 2919.25 (M1 for physical harm, M4 for threats — with significant collateral consequences including the federal Lautenberg Amendment's permanent firearm prohibition triggered by any misdemeanor DV conviction); assault under ORC 2903.13 (M1 baseline, escalating to felony in certain circumstances); drug possession under ORC 2925.11; disorderly conduct under ORC 2917.11; and open container under ORC 4301.62.

Franklin County Municipal Court's high caseload means that early, informed advocacy is essential. Our firm obtains all available evidence — including police body-cam footage, incident reports, witness statements, and any applicable forensic evidence — before evaluating any plea offer. Franklin County prosecutors routinely offer diversion programs for first-time offenders in appropriate cases, and our firm understands when to pursue those options and when to push for dismissal or trial. A misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent criminal record accessible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards, which is why every case in Franklin County Municipal Court deserves aggressive representation regardless of the charge.

Specialized Dockets — HART, MAVS, and CATCH Courts

Franklin County Municipal Court operates three specialized dockets that may provide defendants with treatment-based alternatives to traditional prosecution. HART Court is a recovery-focused docket for defendants with opioid use disorder, offering structured treatment programming as an alternative to incarceration for eligible drug-related offenses. MAVS Court is a mental health docket serving defendants with serious mental illness, connecting them with community mental health services as part of their case disposition. CATCH Court is a specialized docket specifically designed for adult female victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, providing comprehensive social services and legal advocacy. Placement in a specialized docket can result in dismissal of charges upon successful program completion. An attorney can evaluate eligibility and advocate for placement in the appropriate docket.

Civil Jurisdiction — Disputes, Collections, and Evictions

Franklin County Municipal Court has civil jurisdiction over disputes where the amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000, excluding interest and costs. The Civil Division handles contract disputes, property damage claims, and commercial collections. The Small Claims Division handles simpler disputes up to $6,000. The Housing Division handles residential evictions (forcible entry and detainer under ORC Chapter 1923), housing code enforcement, and certain landlord-tenant matters. For disputes exceeding $15,000, cases must be filed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (General Division).

Ohio's eviction process requires strict procedural compliance. Before filing an eviction complaint, a landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice — typically a 3-day notice to vacate for nonpayment of rent, or a 30-day notice for other material lease violations under ORC Chapter 5321. After the notice period expires without compliance, the landlord files an eviction complaint in the Housing Division. Under ORC 1923.07, the court must schedule a hearing within 30 days. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for possession, and after the appeal period, a writ of restitution authorizes law enforcement to remove the tenant. Procedural errors — an improper notice, failure to comply with ORC 5321 habitability requirements, or an incorrect court filing — can result in dismissal and significant delay.

After obtaining a civil judgment, creditors may enforce it through wage garnishment under ORC 2716.02 (up to 25% of disposable earnings), bank account levies under ORC 2716.11, or judgment liens on real property under ORC 2329.02. Debtors may claim Ohio property exemptions under ORC 2329.66 in response to garnishment or levy proceedings. Our firm handles both creditor-side collections and debtor-side defense in Franklin County Municipal Court post-judgment proceedings.

How We Can Help

• OVI / DUI defense: ALS appeals (30-day deadline), first/second/third offense defense, high-tier OVI, CDL OVI, limited driving privileges
• Criminal misdemeanor defense: Theft, domestic violence, assault, drug possession, disorderly conduct, open container, driving under suspension, and more
• Traffic violations: Speeding, reckless operation, failure to comply, marked lanes, and other traffic charges in Franklin County
• Expungement: Record sealing for eligible misdemeanor convictions after applicable waiting periods under R.C. 2953.32
• Civil disputes: Contract claims, property damage, and commercial collections within the $15,000 jurisdictional limit
• Evictions: Residential and commercial eviction proceedings in the Housing Division under ORC Chapter 1923
• Post-judgment enforcement: Wage garnishment, bank levies, and judgment lien filings

If you have a criminal, OVI, traffic, or civil matter in Franklin County Municipal Court, contact Jwayyed Law LLC immediately at (614) 285-5482 or schedule a consultation. For OVI arrests, the 30-day ALS appeal deadline cannot be extended — early contact is critical.