FAQ: TICKETS AND FINES

• CAN THE TICKET I RECEIVED BE PAID OR DO I HAVE TO GO TO COURT?
• HOW CAN I PAY MY TICKET?
• HOW MUCH IS MY TICKET?
• HOW DO I KNOW PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED IF I MAIL THE FINE IN?
• HOW SOON AFTER A TICKET IS ISSUED CAN I MAKE A PAYMENT?
• HOW MANY POINTS WILL BE PLACED ON MY LICENSE AS A RESULT OF MY MOVING VIOLATION? WILL I HAVE A SUSPENSION?
• MUST I BRING PROOF OF INSURANCE WHEN PAYING THIS TICKET OR WHEN GOING TO COURT?

Parking, criminal, and traffic tickets which have the words ‘MINOR MISDEMEANOR” or “mm” printed on the ticket may be paid without the necessity of a court appearance. The only exception is if this is your third moving violation within the past twelve (12) months. A court appearance is then required. All other tickets require a court appearance. If you must appear in court, or wish to plead not guilty, the date of your court appearance is indicated at the front bottom of your ticket. Traffic court begins at 8:00 a.m. and works on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All payable tickets can be paid in person, by mail, or online.

PAYING IN PERSON - You can pay between the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Chardon Municipal Court located at 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. The clerk's office is located at the end of the hall on the first floor. Cash, money orders, certified checks, traveler’s checks, and personal checks are acceptable methods of payment. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover are also accepted in person. Effective June 1, 2010, a 4% convenience fee will be assessed to all Credit Card customers pursuant to O.R.C. 2929.28 (F)(2).  The fee is non-refundable.  Click here for directions to the court.

Payments can also be dropped off in the drop box INSIDE our building between the police department windows when the court office is closed.

PAYING BY MAIL - Can pay by certified check, money order, or personal check made payable to the Chardon Municipal Court. Our mailing address is Chardon Municipal Court, 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024. You must sign the back of the ticket at the bottom where it reads, "signature of defendant." You must submit along with your ticket and payment a copy of your current insurance coverage. Payments must be received by the original court date assigned to avoid a warrant.

PAY ONLINE - Pay your fine online at the Municipal Court ePayment Link with a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or thru your PayPal account. Traffic tickets may not be available to pay online immediately after being issued the ticket. It typically will take a couple days for the officer to drop the ticket off at court and for the citation to be entered into the system.  Effective June 1, 2010, a 4% convenience fee will be assessed to all Credit Card customers pursuant to O.R.C. 2929.28 (F)(2).  The fee is non-refundable.

To view the cost of your traffic ticket visit Waiver Cost Schedule Link or call (440) 286.2670.

You can look up your information online at Municipal Court Public Access System or call (440) 286.2670.

If you pay in person and bring the ticket with you, you can pay immediately after the ticket was issued.

If you pay online at the Municipal Court ePayment Link, you must wait for the ticket to be entered in the system. This process could take a couple days.

If you pay by mail, payment can be sent immediately.

All inquiries regarding suspensions or points need to be requested from the State of Ohio, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  Their addresses and phone numbers are:

You must bring proof of insurance whenever you pay or go to court on a traffic ticket.