Free legal information, aid organizations, and court resources for residents of Ohio. Know your rights and find help.
Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in greater Cleveland in housing, family, consumer, and benefits matters.
Visit Website →Offers free legal help to low-income residents in central Ohio covering housing, family, and public benefits.
Visit Website →Statewide online resource providing legal information, self-help tools, and referrals to legal aid organizations.
Visit Website →Provides free legal representation to low-income residents in southwest Ohio covering housing, family, employment, and benefits.
Visit Website →Serves low-income residents in northeast Ohio with free legal help in housing, family, consumer, and public benefits matters.
Visit Website →Defends civil liberties through litigation and advocacy on criminal justice reform, voting rights, and First Amendment issues.
Visit Website →The Supreme Court of Ohio is the court of last resort with seven justices. Courts of Appeals handle intermediate appeals across 12 appellate districts. Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in each county, with General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate divisions. Municipal Courts and County Courts handle minor matters.
The Supreme Court of Ohio sits in Columbus with seven justices. The twelve appellate districts each have a Court of Appeals. Courts of Common Pleas in each of Ohio's 88 counties include General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate divisions. Municipal Courts serve urban areas, while County Courts handle similar matters in areas without a municipal court. The Cleveland Municipal Court and Franklin County Court of Common Pleas are among the busiest trial courts.
Governs rental relationships under ORC Chapter 5321, covering security deposits, habitability requirements, and eviction procedures. Landlords cannot demand more than one month's rent as deposit.
Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status under ORC Chapter 4112.
Consumer protection law under ORC 1345 prohibiting unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable consumer sales practices.
Mandatory employer-funded insurance system providing medical and wage-loss benefits to injured workers through the Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
Provides criminal penalties for domestic violence and enables victims to obtain Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) with provisions for custody, housing, and no-contact.
Establishes state minimum wage with annual inflation adjustments, currently set above the federal minimum, with enforcement through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Provides property tax reductions for seniors (65+) and permanently disabled homeowners, reducing taxable property value by $26,200.
24/7 confidential support for domestic violence victims
1-800-799-7233
Statewide DV support and shelter referrals
1-800-934-9840
Ohio Attorney General consumer complaint hotline
1-800-282-0515
Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support
988
Following the 2023 ballot measure, Ohio implemented recreational marijuana regulations with a legal purchase age of 21 and home cultivation allowances.
Ohio broadened eligibility for criminal record sealing, allowing more individuals to seal additional offense types to improve employment and housing opportunities.
Increased homestead exemption amounts for qualifying seniors and disabled homeowners, providing greater property tax relief.
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 6 years (oral) / 8 years (written)
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 4 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 1 year
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 4 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Typical filing fee: $40-$65 (claims up to $6,000)
Small claims court is designed for individuals to resolve minor disputes quickly and affordably without an attorney.
Typical filing fee: $200-$350
Civil court handles larger disputes including personal injury, contract breaches, and property claims. Attorney representation is common.
Typical filing fee: $175-$300
Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. Fee waivers are often available for low-income filers.
Free civil legal services for low-income residents in Cuyahoga County covering housing, family, and consumer matters.
Visit Website →Free legal services for low-income residents in central Ohio counties.
Visit Website →Coordinates legal services programs statewide for low-income Ohioans.
Visit Website →Ohio's highest court with seven justices, sitting in Columbus. Reviews decisions from the Courts of Appeals and handles original jurisdiction matters.
Visit Court Website →Twelve appellate districts handling intermediate appeals from Common Pleas, Municipal, and County Courts. Find your district and access case information.
Visit Court Website →General jurisdiction trial courts in each of Ohio's 88 counties with General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate divisions. Access case lookup and filing information.
Find Your Local Court →Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law. Governs security deposits (max one month), habitability requirements, landlord obligations for repairs, notice periods, and eviction procedures.
Employment & Housing Discrimination. Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, and military status.
Consumer Sales Practices Act. Prohibits unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable consumer sales practices with private right of action for damages, attorney fees, and rescission.
Domestic Violence & Civil Protection Orders. Establishes criminal penalties for domestic violence and enables victims to obtain CPOs with provisions for custody, housing, and no-contact.
Unemployment Compensation. Governs eligibility, benefits, and appeals process for Ohio unemployment insurance, administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Statewide online resource providing free legal information, interactive court forms, and connections to legal aid programs for Ohioans who cannot afford an attorney.
Visit Website →Provides free legal help to low-income residents in western Ohio covering housing, public benefits, employment, and education.
Visit Website →Free civil legal assistance for low-income residents in southeastern Ohio in housing, domestic violence, consumer, and public benefits matters.
Visit Website →The Ohio AG's Consumer Protection Section investigates complaints about scams, unfair business practices, identity theft, and lemon law claims. The office also maintains a consumer complaint mediation program and the Do Not Call list.
Phone: (800) 282-0515
Online Complaints: File at ohioattorneygeneral.gov/individuals-and-families/consumers
Visit AG Consumer Protection →The OCRC enforces Ohio's civil rights laws, investigating complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, credit, and disability access. The Commission is a HUD-certified agency and work-shares with the EEOC.
Phone: (888) 278-7101
Filing Deadline: 2 years from the discriminatory act
Visit OCRC Website →