Canton Traffic Records Search
Canton traffic ticket records are managed by the Canton Municipal Court in Stark County. The court hears more than 20,000 cases each year and serves nearly 200,000 people in central Stark County. Four judges sit on the bench, elected to staggered six-year terms. Clerk of Court Phil G. Giavasis keeps all case files. The court runs an Evening Traffic Court, a Traffic Violations Bureau, and accepts electronic citations from officers. Basic court costs start at $169 per case. This page explains how to search for tickets, pay fines, and what to expect if you need to appear.
Canton Overview
Canton Traffic Court in Stark County
Canton is in Stark County. The Canton Municipal Court handles all traffic cases in the city and surrounding parts of central Stark County. Presiding and Administrative Judge Curt Werren leads the bench. The court has jurisdiction over city ordinance violations, Ohio statutory misdemeanor and traffic offenses, and felony preliminary hearings. Civil jurisdiction goes up to $15,000, and small claims up to $6,000.
The Criminal Division has three branches: Criminal Court, Traffic Court, and a Waiver Branch. The Traffic Court holds arraignments on Tuesday at 9 AM, Wednesday at 9 AM and 1 PM, and Thursday at 9 AM. If your ticket says you must appear, you need to show up at one of these times.
| Court | Canton Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Phil G. Giavasis |
| Hours | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri (closed 12-1 PM) |
| Court Costs | $169 basic, $25 each additional charge |
The court also runs an Evening Traffic Court at set times. This is useful if you work during the day and can't make a regular session. Check with the clerk's office for the current schedule of evening sessions.
Canton Traffic Violations Bureau
The Traffic Violations Bureau is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This is where you go to pay waiverable tickets without seeing a judge. If your ticket says it is waiverable, you can walk in, pay the fine and court costs, and be done with it. No court appearance needed.
After hours, you can still pay. The Canton Police Department has a drop-off point where you can leave your payment in a prepared envelope. Online payments are also authorized for minor misdemeanor and waiverable traffic offenses. This makes it easy to handle most tickets without going to court at all.
The court uses electronic citations (e-Tickets), which means officers can write and file a ticket digitally. You get a paper copy at the scene, but the court receives the data right away. This speeds up the process and cuts down on errors in the system.
Canton Court Costs and Records
Basic court costs in Canton are $169. Each additional charge on the same case adds $25. These costs are on top of whatever fine the judge sets. For a simple speeding ticket that you waive, you pay the fine plus $169 in court costs. If you have two charges on one ticket, it is $169 plus $25 for the second charge.
The court keeps traffic records for 25 years. Minor misdemeanor waiver cases stay on file for 5 years. Criminal cases are kept for 50 years, and civil cases for 10 years. So if you need an old traffic record, it may still be in the system depending on when the case was filed and what type of charge it was.
Under ORC Section 4510.036, the court must report your conviction to the Ohio BMV within 10 days. Points go on your driving record. Two points for most minor violations. Four for more serious ones. If you hit 12 points in two years, your license gets suspended for six months per ORC 4510.037.
Canton Traffic Ticket Resources
The Ohio Legal Help site has free guides on traffic cases. It covers public defenders, fee waivers, and what to do if you miss a court date. The Ohio BMV lets you check your driving record and point total online. If you want to reduce points, taking an approved remedial driving course can remove two points if you have between two and 11 on your record.
For Canton-specific help, the Stark County Bar Association can refer you to a traffic lawyer. Four judges hear cases in Canton, so your experience may vary depending on which judge you get. A local lawyer will know the judges and may be able to work out a better deal for your case.
The Supreme Court of Ohio publishes standard forms used by all municipal courts. You can find downloadable forms on their site if you need to file a motion or response in your Canton traffic case. The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association also keeps a directory of all 88 county clerks.
If you can't afford court costs, ask the clerk about fee waivers. With basic costs at $169 per case, the fees add up fast. Ohio law lets courts reduce or waive fees for people who show financial hardship. Fill out an affidavit of indigency and give it to the clerk at the Violations Bureau. The court processes thousands of these requests each year, so the staff knows how it works.
Nearby Ohio Cities
Other Ohio cities near Canton have their own courts for traffic cases.
Stark County Traffic Ticket Records
Canton is in Stark County. All traffic tickets issued in the city go through the Canton Municipal Court, which is part of the county's court system. For more on county resources, visit the full Stark County page.