The number of new cases filed in Ohio’s 318 mayor’s courts in 2011 decreased for the second straight year, according to an annual report released today by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The total new filings for all case types fell to 273,169 in 2011, mainly due to more than 17,000 fewer “Other Traffic” cases, which includes any traffic cases other than OVI (operating a vehicle while under the influence) cases. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court reported a similar decrease in the number of new traffic cases filed in municipal and county courts in 2011.

Ohio law allows mayors of municipalities with more than 100 residents without a municipal court to conduct mayor’s court. These courts hear only cases involving violations of local ordinances and local and state traffic laws.

In 2003, the General Assembly made mayor’s court registration and reporting with the Supreme Court mandatory for the first time, and beginning in 2004 the courts began filing quarterly reports under the new law. Mayor’s courts operate largely outside the judicial system as quasi-judicial bodies administered by mayors in the executive branch.

In 2011, Linndale mayor’s court in Cuyahoga County led the state with more than 2,500 cases per 100 residents, just as it led the state in cases per 100 residents in 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Statewide, mayor’s courts averaged about 19 cases per 100 residents in 2011, a full percentage point decrease from 2010.

The Supreme Court analyzes case filing patterns and trends for the exclusive purpose of assisting in the efficient administration of justice. The Supreme Court does not examine or analyze larger social and governmental trends that may contribute to or influence changes in case filing volumes.

Access the 2011 report.