The Bailiff’s Department is charged with primary
responsibility for security at the Berea Municipal Court, including courtroom
proceedings. The Bailiff’s Department
has many other duties, however, including service of subpoenas, some
post-judgment executions and eviction notices.
There is a helpful FAQ sheet for landlords who have purchased
writs - available at the civil counter.
The
Bailiff’s Department also oversees vehicle immobilizations. Individuals who have had their vehicle
seized or otherwise immobilized must contact the Court with any questions
regarding their vehicles, but the following should answer most general
questions.
Vehicles seizures
Your vehicle has been seized
by the Police because you have been charged with Driving Under Suspension,
Driving Under the Influence, or Wrongful Entrustment. Your vehicle will remain impounded until a motion for release is
filed with the Court. The Judge will
decide whether the vehicle will be immobilized at a hearing that is set after
your motion is filed.
If the Judge DOES NOT
immobilize your vehicle, you may obtain the release of your vehicle generally:
1.
At your hearing – if
the Judge releases your vehicle, go to the police. You must provide your car title and/or registration and your
identification to obtain the release.
2.
You will need to take the
release to the Police Department that seized your vehicle and pay all towing
and storage fees. The Impound Lot will
release the vehicle to a LICENSED driver only.
If the Judge IMMOBILIZES
your vehicle, you may leave it in the impound lot and pay the daily storage
rate charged by the impound lot OR you may have it immobilized at your home or
other appropriate location as follows. IF YOU FAIL TO MAKE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
WITH THE IMPOUND LOT OPERATOR WITHIN 10 DAYS OF YOUR FIRST COURT APPEARANCE,
THE IMMOBILIZATION BAILIFF MAY APPLY TO THE COURT FOR AN ORDER DECLARING THE
VEHICLE ABANDONED AND TO FORFEITED TO THE IMPOUND LOT.
Fee to Club at Residence
1.
After your Court
appearance, go to the police department and obtain a
release. You must provide your car title and/or
registration, proof of insurance and your identification to obtain the release.
2.
Take the Police release
to the Impound Lot and pay all towing and storage fees.
3.
You can either have
your vehicle towed for impound lot fee or the Court will give permission to a
valid driver to drive vehicle to your residence at time and date set at your
hearing. If you choose to move vehicle
to your residence, the Court Bailiff will club your vehicle at a scheduled
time.
4.
The Court Bailiff will
remove club after immobilization period expired.
WARNING
If you fail to appear in
Court, or pay all towing and storage fees, or claim your vehicle within 20 days
from the last date of immobilization, your vehicle will be declared abandoned
and forfeited to the State of Ohio.
If you operate the vehicle
while it is immobilized, the vehicle will be forfeited to the State of Ohio and
you may be charged with contempt of Court.
The penalty for contempt of Court is up to 30 days in jail and up to a
$250.00 fine. THE COURT IMMOBILIZATION
BAILIFF WILL PERIODICALLY CHECK ALL VEHICLES IMMOBILIZED OUTSIDE THE IMPOUND
LOT TO DETERMINE IF THEY HAVE BEEN MOVED IN VIOLATION OF THE COURT ORDER.