Oxford mayor’s court established

The Oxford City Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a mayor’s court in Oxford during a meeting on Feb. 17. 

A mayor’s court has the authority to hear misdemeanor, traffic cases, first time operating a vehicle impaired (OVI) offenses and other violations of criminal local ordinances. 

Doug Elliott, city manager for the City of Oxford, spoke in favor of launching a mayor’s court.

“Our goal is to establish a convenient economical court with local control,” Elliott said.

This court will be limited to cases inside the City of Oxford’s jurisdiction, meaning individuals from Milford, Hanover, Morgan, Oxford, Reily and Wayne townships will still have to travel to Hamilton’s Area 1 Court.

Elliott said the mayor’s court must be registered with the Ohio Supreme Court and submit a quarterly report to them. Additionally, the City of Oxford must report to the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to share first offense misdemeanor convictions and other offenses.

The establishment of a mayor’s court requires staff training and meeting mayor’s court facility requirements. 

Additionally, the City of Oxford will need to purchase software for reporting, collections, online docking and payments for the mayor’s court and establish fines, fees and bond amounts.

As previously reported by the Oxford Free Press, security issues at the current location in the Oxford Courthouse have been brought up by the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Gmoser and City of Oxford Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene.

While the mayor’s court does not need to be located at the Oxford Courthouse to operate, neither a new location or specifics on renovations to the current building have been discussed.

The passed ordinance allows for Mayor Mike Smith to appoint a magistrate to a four-year contract, with approval from the city council. Then, the city council will appoint a court clerk as a full time employee and a prosecutor to a contract.

Elliott stated he believes the mayor’s court, once established, could prove to be self-sufficient and could benefit local coffee shops and restaurants.

Additionally, this could require fewer trips to Hamilton for the Oxford Police Department.

Elliott hopes that by establishing a mayor’s court, the city diversion program, which allows for eligible first time, non-violent offenders to avoid criminal conviction, jail time and a permanent record by completing rehabilitation, community service or educational requirements, will return after a period of transition.

Elliott concluded he anticipates the mayor’s court to be active around the start of the fall semester when students return to campus.