Hamilton County Justice Center
Hamilton County Justice Center
Physical Address
1000 Sycamore StreetCincinnati, OH 45202
Jail Phone Number
513-946-6300Hamilton County Inmate Search: Tracking Down a Loved One at the Sycamore Street Jail
Deputies, Cincinnati officers and suburban police all bring adult arrests to the Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The Sheriff's Office runs this downtown jail in two parts, the North Building and the South Building, with units for health care, veterans and re-entry. Read on for help with the search, mugshots, bond, defense lawyers, visiting, letters, account money and court dates.
The quickest check online is the Sheriff's inmate lookup, which searches by surname. Each match opens a detail record showing custody status and any bond a court has set. An arrest from earlier tonight can lag behind, so search once more after a few hours.
Real people answer at the Sheriff's Office, 513-946-6400. Keep the legal name and birth date at your elbow, since staff locate files faster that way. Ask them to read you the accusation, the bond total, and the day of the first trip to a courtroom. Paying bond is explained in our bail guide, and our court walkthrough maps out every hearing.
Read inmate search answers
Read inmate search answers1. Searching the Hamilton County Sheriff's lookup: what are the steps?
Every adult held downtown sits in the same database. Here's the routine:
- Go to the Sheriff's inmate lookup page.
- Put the surname in the search box. If dozens of people match, include the first name too.
- Compare each result's name and age until you find your person.
- Tap their row to open the detail record, then look at custody status and bond.
- Jot down any record number you see. The jail calls its number the JMS number, and money orders and book orders both need it.
Coming up empty? Give it an hour, try again, then phone the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 so staff can look for you.
↑ Back to the question list2. Searched the lookup and found nobody?
An empty result does not mean something went wrong. These are the usual reasons:
- Intake is not done. Deputies take prints and photos and do a medical screening before a record appears, and crowded nights stretch that out.
- Still with the arresting officers. A suburban or city department might keep someone at its own station briefly before the trip to Sycamore Street.
- Already released. Plenty of people leave with a citation and a date to appear. Others bond out quickly, or a judge sets them free on their own promise to come back.
- Booked in a nearby county. When the stop happened in Butler or Clermont County, that Sheriff's jail books them instead.
- Under 18. Teens are taken to the juvenile Youth Center, and adult records leave them out.
- Name trouble. Try the maiden name, the middle name, or just one side of a hyphenated last name.
If an hour of searching turns up nothing, the Sheriff's Office can check by phone at 513-946-6400.
↑ Back to the question list3. Is it the Justice Center or another Hamilton County lockup?
Almost every adult arrested in the county sleeps at one building:
- Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-6400. The Sheriff's main jail has space for as many as 1,240 people. It holds people awaiting trial, people serving local sentences and people kept on warrants. Inside are a health section for medical, dental and psychiatric needs, a Veteran Unit, and a Re-Entry Unit that prepares people to go home.
- Talbert House. This program also shows up on the Sheriff's visiting schedule, and its in-person visits meet in the Justice Center North Lobby. Ask the Sheriff's Office which people are placed there and why.
For a stop just past the county line, phone the jail on that side:
- Butler County Corrections Center, 705 Hanover Street, Hamilton, OH 45011, 513-785-1345
- Clermont County Jail, 4470 State Route 222, Batavia, OH 45103, 513-732-7500
4. Are mugshots from a Cincinnati booking public?
A booking photo is taken during intake at the Justice Center. Ask the Sheriff's Office whether you can get a copy by calling 513-946-6400. When city officers made the arrest, the Cincinnati Police Department at 513-765-1212 can answer for its own photos.
Mugshot sites that charge removal fees break Ohio law. Anyone who posts booking photos is barred from charging money to pull one down. Breaking that rule counts as a first-degree misdemeanor. Anyone harmed by it may sue for $10,000 or more (R.C. 2927.22). For other jail records, the open records statute applies (R.C. 149.43).
- A photo in ICE's files is requested through the FOIA portal for ICE records.
- Most federal arrest photos are kept private, though the U.S. Marshals Service will at times publish one to help track down a fugitive.
5. Will VINE text me if they're moved or let out?
It can. Ohio VINE is free, and the Attorney General's office operates it. A VINE search reveals whether someone is in custody right now, and where. Enroll, and VINE sends a phone call, text or email if a release, transfer, escape or death happens.
- Search or enroll on VINELink.
- The VINE phone line, 800-770-0192, runs day and night.
- Coverage takes in the Justice Center, state prisons and DYS youth centers.
A VINE message can arrive late. Phone the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 before heading out to pick someone up.
↑ Back to the question list6. How do I bond someone out in Hamilton County?
Ohio's release law tells judges to choose the mildest conditions that will both bring the defendant back for court and keep the community safe (R.C. 2937.011). Many misdemeanors carry a fixed price on the court's schedule, which lets a family pay before any judge is involved. Felony bond is decided by a judge or magistrate at the first appearance, held at the Justice Center for people in custody.
- The window: Room 112, first floor of the Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Clerks take bond at all hours, weekends and holidays included. For bond questions, dial 513-946-6010.
- Payment: cash, major credit cards, or a certified or cashier's check, plus your photo ID. Staff accept bond face to face only.
- The 10 percent option: when a court allows a deposit, you put down one tenth. Roughly nine tenths of that is returned by check after the case closes, provided every condition was kept.
- Bondsmen: any surety agent you hire must be licensed through the Ohio Department of Insurance, and the fee has to match the state-approved rate. The department's consumer line is 800-686-1526.
For every bond type in detail, open our bail page. The Ohio bail rules page covers state law.
↑ Back to the question list7. Where are the charges spelled out?
Open the person's detail record in the Sheriff's inmate lookup first. For exact wording and case numbers, call the clerk's office that holds the file:
- New arrests, misdemeanors and traffic: Municipal Court Criminal/Traffic Division, 1st Floor, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-6010, staffed weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Indicted felonies: the Clerk of Courts, which keeps Common Pleas files, at 1000 Main Street, Room 315, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-5656.
The county Prosecuting Attorney writes up the felony counts from its office at 230 E. Ninth Street, Suite 4000, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-3000. Each office will want the full legal name and birth date.
↑ Back to the question list8. Can the Public Defender take the case?
Adults and kids who can't afford a lawyer can be defended by the county Public Defender. If the office has a conflict of interest, a private lawyer chosen by the court steps in.
- Adult Services: 230 E. Ninth Street, 2nd Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Main number 513-946-3700, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Youth Defense: 513-946-8282.
At the very first hearing, the person in custody should tell the judge they want a free lawyer. A financial form about pay and expenses follows, and the court rules on who qualifies. Hiring a private defense attorney stays open to the family the whole way through.
↑ Back to the question list9. What are HomeWAV visiting hours?
The Sheriff uses HomeWAV for lobby visits and for video or voice visits from home. Each visitor creates an account with a government ID before booking. The schedule looks like this:
- Lobby visits, Justice Center: weekdays from 11:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., with none on holidays.
- From home: Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 8:40 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:40 p.m.
- Talbert House lobby visits: weekdays 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Justice Center North Lobby.
A group can be four people at most, and anyone under 18 comes with a grown-up. HomeWAV's support line is 844-394-6639. More pointers sit in our visitation guide.
↑ Back to the question list10. How can I fund a Justice Center account?
An account balance lets the person buy food, hygiene items and other commissary goods. Families can fund it three ways:
- Kiosks in the lobby: found in both the North and South Buildings. They take cash or a card, and each deposit carries a fee.
- The web: commissarydeposit.com is the deposit site the Sheriff points families to.
- Mailed money orders: the only kind of mailed money allowed. Write the person's name and JMS number on it, and get the mailing address from 513-946-6400.
Any money left when they go home comes back on a Release Pay debit card. That desk is in Room 120 of the North Building, open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Our deposit guide and commissary page fill in the rest.
↑ Back to the question list11. Are calls and video chats possible from the Justice Center?
Yes, through HomeWAV video and voice visits during the remote hours. Make your HomeWAV account ahead of time, with ID ready, and you can see your loved one on a phone screen.
Ask the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 about outgoing calls, tablets and what they cost. Expect jail calls and messages to be monitored, with lawyer talks the exception, so leave the facts of the case to the defense attorney. Our phone page and messages and email page cover costs and common rules.
↑ Back to the question list12. How does TextBehind mail reach Hamilton County inmates?
Letters from family are sent to TextBehind, a service tied to HomeWAV, and never to the jail itself. Address each letter in this order:
- Recipient: first name, last name and control number
- Hamilton County Justice Center, OH
- P.O. Box 247, Phoenix, MD 21131
TextBehind requires the sender's full name and return address on every envelope. Books have to come directly from a book company, addressed with the person's name and JMS number to 900 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, with a limit of three each month. Cash in an envelope is never allowed. Our mail page lists more do's and don'ts.
↑ Back to the question list13. What happens at the South Building property window?
Anything collected at booking stays in the jail's care. Pickup happens at the property window in the South Building, Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Hours are weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on holidays, and you will need a valid ID.
- Drop-offs are limited to prescription glasses, contact lenses still sealed, and dentures.
- For anything else, the person must first sign a release on a jail kiosk naming you.
Property staff answer at 513-946-6330.
↑ Back to the question list14. Who handles health care for someone held downtown?
A health section inside the Justice Center treats medical, dental and psychiatric problems. To pass on a concern, phone the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 and request the medical unit. Jot down every prescription, how many milligrams, and who prescribed it, so the medical unit can check quickly.
The person inside should speak up to a deputy as well and file a sick-call request the way the jail directs. Flag any suicide risk or psychiatric emergency right away, since staff can act only on what they hear. Anyone facing a crisis outside the jail walls should dial 911.
↑ Back to the question list15. Could a Hamilton County judge have issued a warrant?
Felony warrants from Common Pleas are hunted down by the Sheriff's Fugitive Warrant Unit, while city and village officers serve warrants in their own towns. Phone the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 or Cincinnati Police at 513-765-1212 to ask. The Sheriff also runs a child support violations search. Case details come from the Municipal Court clerk, 513-946-6010, or the Clerk of Courts, 513-946-5656. Clearing it starts with a defense lawyer and a call to the issuing court. Visit the Clerk of Courts at 1000 Main Street, Room 315, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
↑ Back to the question list16. When is the hearing in Municipal Court or Common Pleas?
Which court sets the date depends on the charge:
- Municipal Court criminal and traffic cases: 1st Floor, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-6010. Its reach is countywide, from first appearances to misdemeanor trials and early felony steps.
- Court of Common Pleas: courthouse at 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, with the Clerk of Courts in Room 315, 513-946-5656. Common Pleas arraignments take place in Room 585 of the Justice Center.
- Mayor's courts: about thirty suburbs hear their own local tickets. The city or village hall named on the citation has the schedule.
Our court page lays out the path from arraignment to verdict.
↑ Back to the question list17. Who holds someone facing federal charges in Cincinnati?
Cases brought by federal prosecutors from the city and its suburbs belong to Ohio's Southern District, whose Western Division sits downtown. Court meets at the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, 100 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, clerk 513-564-7500.
- Early on, a detention hearing is held. A federal magistrate judge uses it to pick jail or release on conditions (18 U.S.C. 3142).
- While the case is open, the U.S. Marshals Service keeps custody and may house federal detainees in a contract jail nearby. Ask where by calling the Marshals in Room 130, 100 East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-684-3594.
- People who can't pay get federal defense from the Federal Public Defender, 250 East 5th Street, Suite 350, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-929-4834.
- After sentencing, the BOP inmate locator lists the person by name or federal register number.
18. What should families know about an ICE detainer here?
When ICE wants someone held downtown, expect this sequence:
- ICE starts things off by filing Form I-247A with the Sycamore Street jail.
- Under 8 CFR 287.7(d), the hold can last up to 48 hours after they would otherwise be released, so ICE can come get them.
- After that, ICE takes the person from the jail to whatever facility it selects. The Cincinnati-area ICE office is at 9875 Redhill Drive, Blue Ash, OH 45242, 513-246-1471. Ohio falls under the Detroit Field Office, 985 Michigan Avenue, Suite 207, Detroit, MI 48226, 313-771-6601.
- Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator. Search with the A-number shown on immigration paperwork. A name together with birth country also works.
Questions about how the Sheriff cooperates with ICE, such as whether a 287(g) agreement exists, go to 513-946-6400.
↑ Back to the question list19. How do I trace someone moved into state prison?
When a judge imposes prison time, a state agency takes over custody: the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, known as ODRC. The state first sends each new prisoner to a reception center for sorting, and only then to a long-term prison. Some people stay at the Justice Center for a while before the move, so 513-946-6400 is worth a call.
- The ODRC offender search covers people inside Ohio prisons and people the state supervises after release. A name is all you need.
- Our Ohio state prisons guide explains visiting, letters and deposits at each prison.
20. Is my teenager at the Youth Center on Auburn Avenue?
Teens are never booked at the Justice Center. They go to juvenile detention, and Juvenile Court keeps their files private.
- Juvenile Court Youth Center, 2020 Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219, 513-946-2600, the detention center for the county's youths.
- Juvenile Court, 800 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-9200. Its clerk answers at 513-946-9431.
R.C. 2151.314 caps the wait for that first detention hearing at 72 hours, and Juvenile Rule 7 pulls it forward when a court day falls sooner. When no hearing happens, the youth goes home to a parent. Parents should phone the Youth Center at once to learn the hearing time.
↑ Back to the question list21. Which Hamilton County police force made the arrest?
The citation, the report or the jail record will name the agency. Here are the ones families deal with most:
- Sheriff's Office, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, 513-946-6400. Its deputies patrol, serve warrants and staff the jail.
- Cincinnati Police Department, non-emergency line 513-765-1212, for arrests inside city limits.
- Suburban, township and campus police: many suburbs, townships and colleges keep their own officers. Use the phone number printed on the paperwork, or let the Sheriff's Office steer you to the right department.
- Ohio State Highway Patrol: troopers work the interstates and state highways. Their county post is listed on the Highway Patrol local post page.
Every one of these agencies brings adults to the Justice Center, so start with the Sheriff's lookup.
↑ Back to the question listHamilton County bail and bond: posting bond in Cincinnati around the clock
Anyone arrested in Hamilton County goes to the Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, which the Sheriff's Office runs. This page explains where bond money goes, which hours the window keeps, and what ID to carry.
Begin with the Hamilton County Inmate Search. It shows whether your loved one has been booked, plus the bond amount. Our Recent Arrests section adds charges, mugshots and free lawyer help.
Phone 513-946-6010 and ask about the bond. You pay in person at the Justice Center, any hour, with a photo ID. After that, our court guide shows what comes next.
1. Is my family member inside the Hamilton County Justice Center?
Enter the name in Hamilton County Inmate Search. It shows whether the person is booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center at 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, and what the bond is. If the record is missing, the Sheriff's Office answers at 513-946-6400.
A booking made minutes ago can take a while to show. Try again before you worry.
↑ Back to the question list2. Where is bond paid for a Cincinnati arrest?
Bonds are posted in person at the Municipal Criminal/Traffic Division on the first floor of the Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street. Bond services run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Bring government photo ID. Bond information is available at 513-946-6010.
↑ Back to the question list3. Can I pay by phone or online?
No. The Clerk's Municipal Criminal/Traffic Division states that bonds must be posted in person and that bond payments are not taken over the phone. A caller who claims to be the clerk and asks for payment is a scammer. The clerk does not ask for Zelle, PayPal, CashApp or gift cards.
↑ Back to the question list4. What can I pay with at the bond window?
Cash, Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover are accepted for bonds. Photo ID is required, and you should bring enough to cover the state fee that is charged on top of the bond.
↑ Back to the question list5. What hours does the clerk keep?
The Municipal Criminal/Traffic Division counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bond services are open every hour of the day. For general questions, call 513-946-6040 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; for bond information after hours, call 513-946-6019. The Clerk of Courts office at 1000 Main Street keeps Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
↑ Back to the question list6. Which court handles which charge?
Hamilton County Municipal Court hears misdemeanor and traffic cases. Felonies go to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. Bond for each is posted against that case, so give the clerk the case number or the person's full name and birth date.
↑ Back to the question list7. Why does the amount differ between charges?
Ohio law requires every court to keep a misdemeanor bail schedule used only to release a person before the first appearance, and to review it every two years (R.C. 2937.011(I)). Once a judge acts, the judge's figure controls. A judge or magistrate always sets felony bail (R.C. 2937.23). Judges must weigh public safety, the seriousness of the offense, the record and the chance the person returns (Ohio Const. art. I, sec. 9).
↑ Back to the question list8. Which types of bond are available?
A defendant may choose an unsecured bond, a ten percent deposit bond, or a surety, real-estate or cash bond in the amount the court sets (R.C. 2937.011(C)). A signature release is also possible when the judge allows it. Licensed sureties register with the Clerk before they post bonds.
↑ Back to the question list9. How are refunds handled?
Refunds are generally 90 percent of the bond portion. The state fee is refunded only if the case is dismissed, ignored by the Grand Jury, or the defendant is found not guilty. Refunds come as a check, never back to the card, within 14 days after every case on the receipt is finished.
↑ Back to the question list10. What does a bail agent charge?
Ohio does not set one percentage in its statute. A surety bail agent licensed by the Department of Insurance must charge the premium rate filed and approved by the state and disclose any expense fee (R.C. 3905.93). The premium is not refunded. Agents may not solicit at the jail or courthouse and may not require you to sign over title to real estate.
↑ Back to the question list11. Can I use a house for bail?
Yes. A property bond needs an Affidavit of Justification of Suretyship, a sworn description of the property, the loans on it and other bonds signed. The court must see enough value to cover the entire bond (R.C. 2937.011(L)). A lawyer may not act as surety. Call 513-946-6010 before you collect documents.
↑ Back to the question list12. How soon does a judge see the person?
An initial bail hearing must happen no later than the second court day after arrest, with or without a warrant (R.C. 2937.011(J)). If the person is still held and has no lawyer, a second hearing follows two court days later, and the court appoints counsel at state expense for someone who cannot pay.
↑ Back to the question list13. When is bail denied in Hamilton County?
Only in two kinds of cases. A capital charge qualifies when the proof is evident or the presumption great. A felony qualifies when the same is true and the person poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to anyone (Ohio Const. art. I, sec. 9). The judge must hold a hearing and rely on clear and convincing evidence of probable cause, danger and that no release terms would keep people safe (R.C. 2937.222).
↑ Back to the question list14. What is electronic monitoring?
Judges can release a person with house arrest or electronic monitoring as a condition (R.C. 2937.011(D)). The Hamilton County Municipal Court Clerk's electronic monitoring office is at 800 Broadway, at the back of the building near Bedinger and Eggleston Avenue, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., phone 513-946-9901.
↑ Back to the question list15. What if the arrest was made by Cincinnati police or another city?
Cincinnati and other Hamilton County departments make arrests every day. Ask the arresting department where the person is held and for the report number, then use the county search. The Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 can answer for the Justice Center.
↑ Back to the question list16. Who defends someone who cannot pay for a lawyer?
The Hamilton County Public Defender is at 230 E. Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, phone 513-946-3700. The office decides whether a person qualifies, and the court can review that. Ask the judge for appointed counsel at the first hearing.
↑ Back to the question list17. What if the person is under 18?
The Hamilton County Juvenile Court is at 800 Broadway, 11th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Hamilton County has its own juvenile detention facility. Juvenile records are private, so the child will be missing from the adult search. Ask the Juvenile Court where the child is held and when the hearing will be.
↑ Back to the question list18. What if the person is in federal or state custody?
Federal inmates are searched on the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. State prison inmates are in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction records. Neither is in the county jail's booking list.
↑ Back to the question list19. What happens if the defendant misses court?
A missed date can bring a bench warrant and forfeiture of the bond (R.C. 2937.011(K), R.C. 2937.35). A surety or depositor is released by surrendering the defendant before the date, or when the defendant appears, or by paying after default (R.C. 2937.40). Call the lawyer and the clerk the same day.
↑ Back to the question list20. How can I avoid a bail scam?
The Clerk will never call you to demand payment, and a bond posts only in person. Do not send money to a phone number you were handed. Verify with the Sheriff's Office at 513-946-6400 or the bond line at 513-946-6010.
↑ Back to the question list21. Hamilton County bail contacts
- Jail: Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; Sheriff's Office 513-946-6400
- Bond office: Municipal Criminal/Traffic Division, 1st Floor, Justice Center; bond services 24 hours; 513-946-6010; after-hours bond information 513-946-6019
- Municipal division hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; questions 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 513-946-6040
- Bail guide: Hamilton County bail and bond instructions
- Custody lookup: Hamilton County Inmate Search
- Clerk of Courts: 1000 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Electronic monitoring: 800 Broadway, Cincinnati; 513-946-9901
- Public defender: 230 E. Ninth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 513-946-3700
- Juvenile court: 800 Broadway, 11th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Federal: Bureau of Prisons inmate locator
Hours, fees and counter locations can change, and judges set bond case by case. Confirm with the Clerk or the Sheriff's Office before paying. This guide is not legal advice.
↑ Back to the question listFor a criminal case, a bond can be posted with the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Rm. 112.
- Bonds can be posted 24 hours a Day, 7 days a week.
- For more information, or to find out an inmate's bond, call 513-946-6010
- Bonds can be posted in cash, credit card (Master Card, Discover, American Express, VISA) or with a certified/cashier’s check. Certified and cashier’s checks are accepted only during hours that they can be confirmed with the bank of issue.
- In order to post a property bond, please review and fill out the Affidavit of Justification of suretyship
- Bonds can be posted with licensed sureties (bail bondsmen) that are registered with the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts.
- On all bonds, they require some form of proper identification, as well as additional money for state fees. Call 513-946-6010 for exact amount.
Hamilton County Justice Center
ON-SITE (at the jail) INMATE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
- ON-SITE vists are free.
- Visitors are allowed only ONE on-site visit per week.
- Visitors are limited to three (3) remote (at home) visits per day.
- At home remote visits cost approximately $6.00 plus taxes and fees.
- All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
- Visits are limited to 20 minutes.
- Visits are video only and on terminals located in the North Lobby.
- Maximum of four people per on-site visit; adults and children.
| DAY * No on-site visits on holidays |
TIME |
| MONDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| TUESDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| THURSDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| FRIDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| SATURDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
| SUNDAY | 11:00AM-6:30PM |
Hamilton County Justice Center
OFF-SITE (at home) REMOTE INMATE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE
- Visitors are limited to three (3) remote (at home) visits per day.
- At home remote visits cost approximately $6.00 plus taxes and fees.
- All visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
- Visits are limited to 20 minutes.
| DAY | TIME |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM-8:40PM |
| SUNDAY | 11:00AM-8:40PM |
Securus Video Connect allows families to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated loved ones from home. Using a computer with a webcam or the Securus mobile app, visitors can join live video sessions without traveling to the facility or waiting in jail visitor lobbies.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit securustech.online or open the Securus mobile app.
- Register your account and upload a clear photograph of your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) for facility background review.
- Wait for email confirmation indicating that facility administration has granted visitor approval.
- Select Schedule a Visit, choose your detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select an open 20- or 30-minute time slot, and pay the fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website or app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives an alert on their housing unit video kiosk or personal tablet. At the scheduled time, they log in with their PIN and sit in front of the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: Securus Technologies Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-844-6591
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Securus Technologies
In addition to Securus Video Connect, Securus and its subsidiary JPay offer several other communication, financial, and visitation services:
- AdvanceConnect Prepaid Calling: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your mobile phone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvanceConnect Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus AdvanceConnect - Direct Bill Phone Calling: Establish an invoiced monthly billing account for qualified residential landlines.
• Learn more on our website: Direct Bill Phone Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Direct Bill - JPay Money Deposits (Trust & Canteen): Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for commissary store purchases.
• Learn more on our website: Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Money Transfers - JPay Email Messaging & Photos: Send electronic letters, photos, and VideoGrams directly to their tablet or kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Email Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Email Services
Hamilton County Municipal Court and Common Pleas Court in Cincinnati
The Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, traffic tickets and a felony's first hearing, for every part of Hamilton County. Felony trials are held by the Common Pleas judges at the courthouse, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Deputies hold arrested adults at the Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Type a last name into the Sheriff's roster search to find out whether the family member is in the jail. Our Jail Roster pages cover charges, warrants and mugshots.
Call the Municipal Court criminal and traffic clerk at 513-946-6010. Ask when the first hearing is and which courtroom to go to. To pay a bond, use our bail page.
1. Local courts in Hamilton County (municipal, county and mayor's courts)
Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County, Ohio's third-most-populous county, and almost all of its criminal courts sit within a few blocks of each other downtown. The Hamilton County Municipal Court, which covers the entire county, handles misdemeanors, OVI and traffic cases and the opening stage of every felony, while about thirty suburban cities and villages also run mayor's courts for ordinance and traffic tickets. Felonies are tried in the General Division of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas at the courthouse on Main Street and prosecuted by the elected Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney; city prosecutors, including Cincinnati's, handle many municipal-court misdemeanors. Arrested adults are held by the Hamilton County Sheriff at the Justice Center on Sycamore Street.
- Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, Hamilton County Courthouse, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-5656
- Hamilton County Municipal Court, Criminal and Traffic, Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-6010
- Hamilton County Municipal Court, Civil, Hamilton County Courthouse, 1000 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-5700
- Hamilton County Juvenile Court, 800 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-9200
- Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, William Howard Taft Law Center, 230 E. Ninth Street, Suite 4000, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-3000
- Hamilton County Public Defender, William Howard Taft Law Center, 230 E. Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-3700
- Hamilton County Justice Center (jail, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office), 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-6400
Which court hears your case. Every misdemeanor, OVI and traffic charge in Hamilton County, whether from Over-the-Rhine, Colerain Township, Harrison or Anderson Township, can be filed in the Hamilton County Municipal Court, because its territory is countywide; there is no county court. Many suburbs, among them Norwood, Blue Ash, Sharonville, Reading, Springdale and Forest Park, also run mayor's courts that hear their own ordinance and traffic cases. A mayor's court has no jury and limited authority, so OVI charges and contested matters are commonly sent to the Municipal Court, and any defendant can ask to transfer a case there. Felonies begin in the Municipal Court with the initial appearance, bond and preliminary hearing; once a Hamilton County grand jury returns an indictment, or the defendant waives it and proceeds by bill of information, the case moves to the Common Pleas General Division at 1000 Main Street. Appeals go to Ohio's First District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.
Where pretrial detainees are held. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office books adults arrested by the Cincinnati Police, suburban departments, township and university police, the Sheriff's patrol and the State Highway Patrol into the Hamilton County Justice Center at 1000 Sycamore Street, the county's main jail and one of the largest in Ohio. Pretrial detainees stay there until they post bond or the case ends. For custody, bond or visiting information, call the Sheriff's Office at (513) 946-6400.
Hamilton County's local courts are a single countywide municipal court and a long list of suburban mayor's courts. Mayor's courts usually meet only on set evenings or mornings each month, so call ahead for the session schedule.
Municipal court
- Hamilton County Municipal Court — criminal and traffic, Hamilton County Justice Center, 1000 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 946-6010; civil, Hamilton County Courthouse, 1000 Main Street, (513) 946-5700. Territory: all of Hamilton County, including Cincinnati, every suburban city and village, and all twelve townships. Hears misdemeanors, OVI, traffic, felony initial appearances and preliminary hearings, small claims and civil cases.
County court
None. The countywide Municipal Court leaves no area for a county court.
Mayor's courts
- Addyston Mayor's Court — 235 Main Street, Addyston, OH 45001, (513) 941-1313, ext. 10
- Amberley Village Mayor's Court — 7149 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237, (513) 531-2040
- Arlington Heights Mayor's Court — 601 Elliott Avenue, Arlington Heights, OH 45215, (513) 821-2076
- Blue Ash Mayor's Court — 4343 Cooper Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242, (513) 745-8554
- Cheviot Mayor's Court — Cheviot City Hall, 3814 Harrison Avenue, Cheviot, OH 45211, (513) 946-6040
- Cleves Mayor's Court — 101 N. Miami Avenue, Cleves, OH 45002, (513) 941-1212
- Deer Park Mayor's Court — 777 Blue Ash Road, Deer Park, OH 45236, (513) 791-8056
- Elmwood Place Mayor's Court — 6118 Vine Street, Elmwood Place, OH 45216, (513) 242-2578
- Evendale Mayor's Court — 10500 Reading Road, Evendale, OH 45241, (513) 956-2692
- Fairfax Mayor's Court — 5903 Hawthorne Avenue, Fairfax, OH 45227, (513) 272-9941
- Forest Park Mayor's Court — 1203 W. Kemper Road, Forest Park, OH 45240, (513) 595-5224
- Glendale Mayor's Court (sessions conducted by a magistrate) — 301 E. Sharon Road, Glendale, OH 45246, (513) 771-7645
- Golf Manor Mayor's Court — 6450 Wiehe Road, Golf Manor, OH 45237, (513) 531-3108
- Greenhills Mayor's Court — 11000 Winton Road, Greenhills, OH 45218, (513) 825-2101
- Harrison Mayor's Court — 300 George Street, Harrison, OH 45030, (513) 202-8456
- Indian Hill Mayor's Court — 6525 Drake Road, Indian Hill, OH 45243, (513) 561-6500
- Lincoln Heights Mayor's Court — 1201 Steffen Avenue, Lincoln Heights, OH 45215, (513) 733-5900, ext. 9
- Lockland Mayor's Court — 101 N. Cooper Avenue, Lockland, OH 45215, (513) 761-1124, ext. 105
- Madeira Mayor's Court — 7141 Miami Avenue, Madeira, OH 45243, (513) 272-4214
- Mariemont Mayor's Court — 6907 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, OH 45227, (513) 271-4089
- Montgomery Mayor's Court — Montgomery Safety Center, 10150 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, OH 45242, (513) 985-1606
- Mount Healthy Mayor's Court — 7700 Perry Street, Mount Healthy, OH 45231, (513) 931-8840
- Newtown Mayor's Court — Municipal Center, 3537 Church Street, Newtown, OH 45244, (513) 561-7697, ext. 16
- North College Hill Mayor's Court — 1646 W. Galbraith Road, North College Hill, OH 45239, (513) 521-1594
- Norwood Mayor's Court — 4701 Montgomery Road, Norwood, OH 45212, (513) 458-4535
- Reading Mayor's Court — 1000 Market Street, Reading, OH 45215, (513) 733-5768
- St. Bernard Mayor's Court — 4200 Vine Street, St. Bernard, OH 45217, (513) 242-2727
- Sharonville Mayor's Court — 10900 Reading Road, Sharonville, OH 45241, (513) 563-1146
- Silverton Mayor's Court — 6860 Plainfield Road, Silverton, OH 45236, (513) 792-6561
- Springdale Mayor's Court — 12105 Lawnview Avenue, Springdale, OH 45246, (513) 346-5778
- Terrace Park Mayor's Court — 428 Elm Avenue, Terrace Park, OH 45174, (513) 831-2137
- Woodlawn Mayor's Court — 10143 Woodlawn Boulevard, Woodlawn, OH 45215, (513) 772-1273
- Wyoming Mayor's Court — Safety Services Building, 600 Grove Avenue, Wyoming, OH 45215, (513) 821-0141; sessions are held at the Municipal Building, 800 Oak Avenue
Cincinnati itself has no mayor's court; its cases go to the Municipal Court. Communities missing from the list above, including North Bend and all twelve townships, also send tickets directly to the Municipal Court.
↑ Back to the question list2. Downtown courthouses and offices
Downtown Cincinnati's justice district is compact. The Hamilton County Courthouse at 1000 Main Street holds the Common Pleas General Division courtrooms, the Clerk of Courts' felony and civil offices, and Municipal Court civil and some criminal courtrooms. Across Central Parkway and up Sycamore Street, the Hamilton County Justice Center at 1000 Sycamore is both the jail and the place where in-custody defendants are arraigned in the Municipal Court and where criminal and traffic payments and records are handled.
The William Howard Taft Law Center at 230 E. Ninth Street houses the Prosecuting Attorney, the Public Defender and the Probate Court. The Juvenile Court occupies the 800 Broadway building, which it shares with the Domestic Relations Division. Mayor's courts meet in their own city or village buildings, listed in the local courts section.
Bring a photo ID and expect airport-style screening at each building. Parking is limited, and Cincinnati Metro buses and the downtown streetcar stop within a short walk of the courthouses. Defendants who are out on bond should check the case number and courtroom on their paperwork, because Municipal Court judges sit in several rooms across both buildings.
↑ Back to the question list3. What happens after an arrest in Hamilton County
Booking at the Justice Center
After an arrest, police transport the person to the Justice Center intake area on Sycamore Street. Deputies take fingerprints and photographs, inventory property, run warrant checks and complete medical screening. During busy periods, intake can take many hours.
Pretrial screening and bond
Before the first hearing, Hamilton County's pretrial services staff typically interview the defendant and prepare a risk assessment for the judge. Bond for some minor offenses can be posted from a schedule. For everything else, a Municipal Court judge sets bond at arraignment; under the 2022 amendment to Ohio's Constitution, the judge must weigh public safety, the defendant's record, the seriousness of the charge and the likelihood of appearance. Possible outcomes include release on recognizance, release with supervision or electronic monitoring, a 10 percent deposit bond, a cash bond or a surety bond posted through a licensed bail bond company. Protection orders often accompany release in domestic violence cases.
Arraignment
In-custody arraignments are held daily at the Justice Center, usually the next court day after arrest. A public defender is typically present to represent people who need one at this first hearing. Misdemeanor defendants enter pleas; felony defendants receive a preliminary hearing date and a bond decision.
The road to Common Pleas
A jailed felony defendant is entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of the first appearance, or within 15 days if released, though the Hamilton County grand jury often indicts before then, ending the Municipal Court's role. After indictment, the case is arraigned in the Common Pleas courthouse, assigned to a judge and set for pretrial conferences. The 270-day speedy-trial limit applies, with each day held in jail solely on the charge counting three times.
↑ Back to the question list4. The Hamilton County Justice Center
The Justice Center at 1000 Sycamore Street is the Sheriff's main detention facility. It holds people awaiting trial on municipal and felony charges, people serving local misdemeanor sentences, and people held on warrants, probation violations or for other jurisdictions. Its population is large and changes quickly, so the Sheriff's online and phone inmate lookups are the fastest way to confirm whether someone is there.
Money for commissary and phone accounts can be deposited through the jail's approved vendors, and visits are generally by video under a schedule the Sheriff sets. Bonds can be posted at the Justice Center. A person whose case is resolved with a prison sentence is transferred to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, usually through its reception center. Call (513) 946-6400 with questions about a specific inmate.
↑ Back to the question list5. Public defense in Hamilton County
The Hamilton County Public Defender, (513) 946-3700, is one of Ohio's largest public defense offices. Its attorneys represent eligible adults in the Municipal Court and the Common Pleas Court and represent children in the Juvenile Court, and the county also appoints qualified private attorneys from an assigned-counsel list when the office has a conflict or a case requires it. Eligibility is based on a financial affidavit; an application fee of up to $25 may be assessed, and the court can waive it.
People in custody can ask for a public defender at arraignment at the Justice Center. Those released on a summons or bond should contact the office before their first court date. Mayor's courts generally cannot impose lengthy jail terms, and a defendant who wants appointed counsel in a jailable mayor's court case can ask to have the case moved to the Municipal Court.
↑ Back to the question list6. The Prosecuting Attorney, diversion and victims
The elected Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney, (513) 946-3000, prosecutes all felonies in the county, files juvenile delinquency cases and handles criminal appeals. Misdemeanors in the Municipal Court are prosecuted by several offices: the City of Cincinnati's prosecutors for offenses inside the city, suburban law directors and prosecutors for their own communities, and the county prosecutor's staff for many township and state-law cases. Mayor's court cases are prosecuted by the village or city's own prosecutor.
Diversion
Diversion programs in Hamilton County let eligible first-time or low-level defendants avoid a conviction by completing conditions such as treatment, community service, restitution or classes, after which the charge is dismissed and can be sealed. The county prosecutor runs a diversion option for certain nonviolent felony offenders, and the city and municipal courts offer misdemeanor diversion, including programs aimed at theft, drug possession and young adults. Ohio's intervention in lieu of conviction statute provides another path for people whose offense was tied to substance use or mental illness. Eligibility is decided case by case, and violent offenses generally do not qualify.
Victims
The prosecutor's victim-witness division helps victims receive notice of hearings and bond decisions, prepare impact statements and request restitution. Marsy's Law, part of Ohio's Constitution since 2017, guarantees victims the right to be present and heard at major stages of the case.
↑ Back to the question list7. Specialty dockets in Hamilton County
Hamilton County was an early adopter of treatment-based courts, and both the Common Pleas and Municipal courts now run a range of them. Participants are supervised closely, with frequent court appearances, drug and alcohol testing and required treatment, in exchange for reduced charges, dismissals or alternatives to jail when they finish.
- Drug court: one of Ohio's longest-running felony drug court programs, operated through the Common Pleas Court for defendants whose crimes are driven by addiction.
- Mental health court: dockets for defendants with serious mental illness, connecting them with treatment and case management.
- Veterans treatment court: a docket that pairs veterans with mentors and VA services.
- OVI and other treatment dockets: Municipal Court programs for repeat impaired drivers and people with addiction-related misdemeanors.
- Human trafficking court: a Municipal Court docket for people, mostly women, charged with prostitution-related offenses who are trafficking survivors or at risk, focused on services and exit from exploitation.
Programs and eligibility criteria change, and admission usually requires agreement from the prosecutor and the judge. A defense attorney can tell a client which docket fits and how to apply.
↑ Back to the question list8. Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first OVI, assault, criminal trespass)
Hamilton County's Municipal Court handles a very large volume of misdemeanors: shoplifting at Kenwood or Tri-County retailers, fights in Over-the-Rhine or near the University of Cincinnati, OVI arrests on I-71, I-74 and I-75, and trespass at closed businesses. Suburban tickets for minor offenses may first appear in that community's mayor's court.
Penalties
- First-degree misdemeanor: no more than 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine; petty theft (property under $1,000), assault and aggravated trespass are typical.
- Second degree: a jail cap of 90 days and fines to $750.
- Third degree: up to 60 days and $500.
- Fourth degree: up to 30 days and $250; basic criminal trespass is in this group.
- Minor misdemeanor: a citation punishable by a fine of $150 or less, with no possibility of jail.
First OVI in Hamilton County
Ohio grades a first-offense OVI as an M1. Ohio law requires at least three consecutive days in jail, or completion of a 72-hour driver intervention program instead, and six days where the test showed .17 or more or there was a qualifying refusal. The fine is $375 to $1,075. The license is suspended on the spot under the administrative license suspension, and a conviction adds a court suspension of one to three years; judges can grant limited privileges for work, school and treatment, and some drivers qualify for unlimited privileges with an ignition interlock. OVI charges written in a suburb are frequently filed in, or transferred to, the Municipal Court.
Trial rights and outcomes
A Municipal Court defendant who wants a jury must file a written jury demand, and the eight-member jury must agree unanimously. Ohio's speedy-trial statute requires trial within 90 days for M1 and M2 charges and 45 days for M3 and M4 charges. Common results include dismissal, diversion, a plea to a lesser charge, fines and court costs, community control with conditions such as treatment or a theft class, and jail time that is partly or fully suspended. A typical case takes one to four months, and many records can be sealed after a waiting period.
↑ Back to the question list9. Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug trafficking, felonious assault)
Felony charges in Hamilton County range from car break-ins and retail theft rings to fentanyl trafficking and shootings with injuries. They begin with a Municipal Court arraignment at the Justice Center and continue in the Common Pleas General Division after indictment.
How a felony moves
- Arraignment and bond in the Municipal Court, generally the next court day.
- Preliminary hearing or direct indictment. The grand jury, which sits regularly in Hamilton County, often indicts within days or weeks, and the preliminary hearing is then cancelled.
- Common Pleas arraignment at 1000 Main Street, where the case is assigned to one of the General Division judges.
- Discovery and pretrial conferences, during which the defense reviews police reports, video and lab results and negotiates with the assistant prosecutor.
- Motions, such as requests to suppress evidence from a search.
- Resolution: most cases end in a plea; the rest go to a 12-person jury that must be unanimous.
- Sentencing, often after a presentence investigation by county probation.
Ranges by degree
- F5: 6 to 12 months; a theft valued from $1,000 up to $7,500 lands here. Community control is presumed for many first-time offenders.
- F4: 6 to 18 months; thefts from $7,500 to $150,000 are graded at this level.
- F3: 9 to 36 months, though the range runs 12 to 60 months for designated serious F3s; burglary of an occupied structure where no one is likely present is usually here.
- F2: 2 to 8 years; felonious assault and burglary where someone is likely present.
- F1: 3 to 11 years; aggravated burglary and high-level trafficking.
For F1 and F2 crimes on or after March 22, 2019, the Reagan Tokes Law produces indefinite sentences: a stated minimum, and a maximum of up to half again as long. Drug trafficking charges are graded by drug type and weight and can fall at any felony level, with major drug offender specifications at the top. Gun specifications add mandatory prison terms that must be served before the base sentence. Intervention in lieu of conviction remains available for some drug-related offenses. A Hamilton County felony usually takes four months to a year.
↑ Back to the question list10. Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, aggravated robbery)
Cincinnati Police homicide investigators, suburban detectives and the Sheriff's Office investigate the county's most serious violent crimes, and specialized units in the Prosecuting Attorney's office handle homicide, sexual assault and gun-violence cases. Bonds are usually set very high, and the prosecutor may seek to deny bail entirely for qualifying offenses after a hearing.
What the charges carry
- Aggravated murder: life imprisonment without parole, life with a parole board hearing after 20, 25 or 30 years, or death if capital specifications are charged and proven. Executions are on hold in Ohio, which has not executed anyone since 2018.
- Murder: 15 years to life in prison.
- Rape: a first-degree felony with an indefinite term under Reagan Tokes; life sentences are possible when the victim is a child under 13 and force or other aggravating facts are proven.
- Aggravated robbery: a first-degree felony, regularly combined with firearm specifications that add years of mandatory prison.
Victims and surviving family members are entitled under Marsy's Law to notice, presence and a voice at bond, plea and sentencing hearings. Violent felony cases in Hamilton County commonly take one to two years or longer, particularly when there are multiple defendants, scientific evidence or a capital specification. Defendants who stay in custody remain at the Justice Center during that time.
↑ Back to the question list11. Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Hamilton County
The Hamilton County Juvenile Court, a division of the Court of Common Pleas at 800 Broadway in downtown Cincinnati, (513) 946-9200, hears delinquency cases against youths under 18. Complaints are filed by the juvenile division of the Prosecuting Attorney's office, and children are usually represented by the Public Defender's juvenile unit or appointed counsel.
Intake and diversion
Juvenile Court intake screens new referrals. Lower-level and first-time cases are often diverted or handled unofficially, through community programs, restorative justice, mediation, counseling or restitution, and closed when the youth succeeds. Other cases are handled officially before a magistrate or judge.
Hamilton County Youth Center
Youths who cannot safely go home are held at the Hamilton County Youth Center, the juvenile detention center at 2020 Auburn Avenue in Cincinnati's Mount Auburn neighborhood. A detention hearing must take place promptly, within 72 hours of admission or on the next court day, and the magistrate decides whether to continue detention, release the youth to a parent or order alternatives such as electronic monitoring. Juveniles are not held in the Justice Center with adults.
Adjudication, DYS and adult court
Dispositions include probation, treatment and community programs, out-of-home placement and, for felony adjudications, commitment to the Ohio Department of Youth Services. Ohio requires mandatory bindover to adult court for some 16- and 17-year-olds, and some 14- and 15-year-olds, charged with the most serious offenses, and allows discretionary bindover for youths 14 and older after an amenability hearing. The prosecutor may instead seek a Serious Youthful Offender designation, which combines a juvenile disposition with an adult sentence that is suspended unless the youth fails. Juvenile files are largely closed to the public, and a large share can later be sealed or expunged.
↑ Back to the question list12. Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Hamilton County
Hamilton County is home base for the Western Division of Ohio's southern federal judicial district, the Southern District of Ohio. Federal crimes committed in the county are generally prosecuted at the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, 100 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, a short walk from the county courthouse.
Who's who
- Prosecution: U.S. Attorney's Office, Cincinnati branch, 221 E. Fourth Street, Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 684-3711
- Defense: Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Ohio, Cincinnati office, 250 E. Fifth Street, Suite 350, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 929-4834
- Custody and transport: U.S. Marshals Service, Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse, 100 E. Fifth Street, Room 130, Cincinnati, OH 45202, (513) 684-3594
What turns a case federal
In Hamilton County, federal cases commonly arise from FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS and Postal Inspection Service investigations into drug trafficking organizations, felons with firearms and gun trafficking, violent crime and robbery affecting interstate commerce, child exploitation, public corruption and large fraud schemes. Joint task forces with Cincinnati Police and the Sheriff mean some arrests begin locally and are later adopted for federal prosecution.
The federal timeline
Someone taken into federal custody in Hamilton County is brought before a U.S. magistrate judge at the Potter Stewart courthouse, hears the charges and receives appointed counsel from the Federal Public Defender or the Criminal Justice Act panel if needed. When the government moves for detention, the hearing is generally held within three court days. The magistrate then applies the Bail Reform Act, either releasing the defendant on conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services, sometimes with home detention or monitoring, or ordering detention; money bail from commercial bondsmen plays no part. A case begun by complaint must be indicted within 30 days, and the Speedy Trial Act sets 70 days from indictment to trial, a period that excludable delays frequently lengthen. Roughly nine in ten federal defendants plead guilty; those who go to trial face a 12-person jury that must be unanimous.
Sentences and appeals
U.S. Probation prepares a presentence report, and the district judge calculates the advisory Sentencing Guidelines while honoring any statutory mandatory minimum. Federal law abolished parole, so prisoners serve about 85 percent of their terms in the Bureau of Prisons when good-conduct credit is earned, then complete supervised release. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in Cincinnati, decides appeals. Federal pretrial detainees are in Marshals custody and are housed in jails and detention facilities that contract with the Marshals; the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator gives families from Hamilton County a way to find a Cincinnati-area defendant using a name or register number. A detainee from Cincinnati held pretrial at a Marshals-contract jail could be listed in that jail's listing. Only rarely are juveniles prosecuted in federal court.
Treat this Hamilton County guide as general background on how criminal cases proceed in Cincinnati's courts, not as legal advice, since court rules, programs and mayor's court schedules change. If you face a charge, contact a defense lawyer or the Hamilton County Public Defender at (513) 946-3700, and verify any hearing date with the court or mayor's court handling the case.
↑ Back to the question list
CommissaryOrder.com allows friends and family members to purchase pre-approved food boxes, snack assortments, hygiene essentials, and personal apparel kits sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Each package is packed to meet strict correctional security guidelines, ensuring the items clear institutional intake without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Delivery Windows Vary Across Facilities
Jails do not follow uniform rules for incoming packages. Some facilities permit weekly orders, while others limit care packages to monthly or quarterly cycles, and you should call the facility to confirm their active cutoff schedules and purchase limits. If you delay placing your order past the weekly processing deadline, your loved one may have to wait an entire extra cycle before receiving basic personal care supplies, warm undergarments, or supplemental snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Order an Approved Care Package
- Obtain the inmate's full legal name, date of birth, and assigned inmate identification number.
- Visit www.commissaryorder.com and click on Place Order.
- Select the state and the facility where your loved one is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to unlock the facility's pre-approved catalog.
- Browse the store categories—including meats, cheeses, ramen soups, baked snacks, toiletries, and clothing—and add items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Review your cart to verify item eligibility, enter your credit or debit card details, and submit your order.
- Print and save your digital order receipt containing the tracking confirmation code.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an outside account to receive the package. The items are shipped directly to the jail commissary department in tamper-evident packaging. Correctional staff inspect the box and deliver it to the inmate during the facility's designated commissary delivery schedule, where the inmate signs for the shipment.
Official Provider: CommissaryOrder.com Official Portal
Customer Support Email: Support@CommissaryOrder.com (Always include the facility name, inmate name, and booking ID)
Support Response Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST (Responses within two business days)
Supported Languages: English
Other Services Associated with CommissaryOrder.com
Depending on facility contracts, trust funding options are also available to support independent canteen purchases:
- Inmate Trust & Canteen Money Deposits: Send cash directly to an inmate's personal account so they can choose and buy their own items inside.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CommissaryDeposit.com Money Transfers
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Hamilton County Justice Center
Hamilton County Justice Center Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Hamilton County Justice Center allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Commissary Order.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 513-946-6300 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Hamilton County Justice Center's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
CommissaryDeposit.com provides a secure web platform for friends and family to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated individual's institutional trust and canteen account. Money sent through this service allows inmates to purchase daily essentials, food items, over-the-counter medication, hygiene products, and correspondence stationery from the facility commissary.
Important: Inmate Account Intake Policies Differ by Facility
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks. Note also that any funds deposited may be subject to facility collections for outstanding booking fees or medical co-pays according to local rules.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Confirm the inmate's current housing facility, their legal first and last name, and their official inmate booking ID number.
- Navigate to www.commissarydeposit.com and click on Deposit Money.
- Select the state and facility from the drop-down directories.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or last name and verify the record match to ensure you do not send funds to the wrong individual.
- Enter your phone number to receive a one-time verification code via SMS text or automated voice call.
- Specify the deposit dollar amount, review the calculated convenience fees (fixed fee plus percentage fee), and enter your debit or credit card billing details.
- Submit the payment and save the digital confirmation receipt for your financial records.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic payment clears, the funds post directly to their ledger balance in the jail's internal commissary management system. The inmate can verify their balance on their weekly account slip or at a dayroom kiosk terminal to place orders during the next scheduled commissary cycle.
Official Provider: CommissaryDeposit.com Official Portal
Customer Support Email: Support@CommissaryDeposit.com (Requests must include facility name, inmate name, and inmate ID)
Support Response Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM EST (Response within two business days)
Supported Languages: English
Other Services Associated with CommissaryDeposit.com
Depending on the detention facility contract, additional commissary package ordering options may be supported:
- Direct Commissary Package Ordering: Order pre-packaged snack boxes and hygiene bundles sent directly to the inmate.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Package Ordering Guide | • Visit official vendor page: CommissaryDeposit.com Store Orders
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Hamilton County Justice Center
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Hamilton County Justice Center use Commissary Deposit.
NOTE: Commissary Deposit provides support by email only. Your request must include the facility name, inmate name, and inmate ID. Requests without these details will not be serviced.
2. Deposit cash or use a debit or credit card using a dedicated kiosk for this purpose. The machine is located in the lobby or visitation area of the Hamilton County Justice Center.
3. The Hamilton County Justice Center may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. The money order should be be made out to either the inmate or the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, with the inmate’s name and ID# on the memo line of the check. To confirm this option call the facility at 513-946-6300.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
4. The Hamilton County Justice Center has a reception desk that may accept cash, money orders or cashier checks. Call 513-946-6300 to find out the specific hours for drop off times.
Send an Inmate Mail in the Hamilton County Justice Center
The Hamilton County Justice Center on Sycamore Street in downtown Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, no longer takes personal letters at the building. Family letters go to a mail-scanning service, which turns each page into a digital copy for the inmate. The Sheriff made this change because people were soaking paper in drugs such as heroin and meth, letting it dry, and mailing it in. Books, legal mail and money orders still go to the jail in Cincinnati.
Personal letters, cards and photos (scanned):
Inmate's Full Name & Control #
Hamilton County Justice Center, OH
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Legal mail, books and money orders (to the jail):
Inmate's Full Name & Control #
Hamilton County Justice Center
900 Sycamore Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Name and number: Write the inmate's first and last name, never initials, and their control number. Spell out "Hamilton County Justice Center, OH" exactly as shown, without shortening it. Both numbers used here are listed on the Sheriff's inmate search.
- Your own name: Put your first and last name and your full return address on the envelope. If any of it is left off, the envelope is discarded unopened.
- What the scanning service refuses: Legal mail, money orders, cash, checks, gift cards, ID cards and bank cards. Anything that can't be scanned, along with books, magazines, newspapers, catalogs and junk mail, is turned back at the post office.
- Photos: Keep prints at 5 x 7 inches or smaller.
- Books: They must ship from a book seller, never from your home, with the inmate's name and their JMS number in the address, or they go back to the seller. The limit is three books a month. Paperbacks, Bibles, coloring books and puzzle books are fine. Used books, books with metal, books thicker than 3 inches and anything poster-sized are not.
- Book content: No pictures of drugs, alcohol, nudity, weapons or hand gestures.
- Money orders: The jail takes money orders only by mail, sent to the Cincinnati address and never to the scanning box. Write the inmate's name and JMS number on the money order and make it out to the inmate's full name. If you are unsure, call 513-946-6300 to confirm. Deposits can also be made online or at the lobby kiosks.
- Bounced mail: When the scanning service can't fix a problem, the letter comes back to you stamped with the reason.
For notes that arrive faster than the mail, use electronic messages.
Securus AdvanceConnect is a prepaid calling account that links directly to your mobile phone or landline number, allowing you to receive outbound calls from an incarcerated individual. Because correctional phone systems never allow incoming calls, funding an AdvanceConnect balance ensures calls are accepted immediately without being blocked by cell carriers.
Important: Mobile Networks Block Inmate Calls Without Prepaid Funds
Correctional facilities do not allow collect billing to cell phones, and mobile carriers automatically block incoming collect calls from detention centers. While some residential landlines may allow direct billing, mobile phones and VoIP services require an active prepaid AdvanceConnect balance, which you can verify with your phone provider. If you do not register online and fund your account right away, your loved one will hear an automated error message stating that your number cannot accept calls.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund AdvanceConnect
- Go to securustech.online or open the Securus mobile app.
- Select Sign Up and create your account using your 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Search for your facility by state and agency name, then add the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
- Select AdvanceConnect under calling accounts.
- Choose your deposit amount, review convenience and transaction fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Authorize payment and confirm that your mobile phone allows calls from automated or unknown correctional numbers.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate picks up any dayroom phone or logs onto their handheld tablet, dials your 10-digit number, and enters their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your AdvanceConnect account has an active balance and connects the call. All calls are subject to recording and monitoring by facility staff.
Official Provider: Securus Technologies Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-844-6591
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Securus Technologies
In addition to AdvanceConnect Prepaid Calling, Securus Technologies and its subsidiary JPay provide several other communication, financial, and visitation services:
- Direct Bill Phone Calling: Establish a monthly billed calling account for verified landline numbers.
• Learn more on our website: Direct Bill Phone Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Direct Bill - Securus Video Connect: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Video Connect - JPay Money Deposits (Trust & Canteen): Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for commissary store purchases.
• Learn more on our website: Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Money Transfers - JPay Email Messaging & Photos: Send electronic messages, photo attachments, and VideoGrams directly to their tablet or kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Email Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Email Services
Securus Direct Bill is an invoiced telephone calling service designed for approved residential landlines, law offices, and commercial businesses. Instead of prepaying funds in advance, calls received from an incarcerated individual are billed directly to your account on a monthly itemized billing invoice.
Important: Direct Bill Requires Credit Approval and Qualifying Lines
Direct Bill is not available for mobile cell phones, internet VoIP numbers, or customers with poor or unestablished telephone credit history. Correctional facilities enforce strict telecommunications billing rules, which you can verify by calling Securus customer care. If your line does not meet credit approval standards, you must open an AdvanceConnect prepaid account instead to receive incoming calls from your loved one.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Set Up a Direct Bill Account
- Contact Securus customer service at 1-800-844-6591 or submit an application via securustech.net.
- Provide your billing name, service address, and qualifying residential or business landline telephone number.
- Submit to a standard credit evaluation performed by Securus to determine billing eligibility.
- Establish your authorized monthly credit limit upon approval.
- When your phone rings with a call from the detention center, follow the recorded operator instructions and press the requested key to accept charges.
- Pay your monthly billing invoice online, by phone, or through the mail.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your phone number from any dayroom telephone and keys in their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your account is in good standing and has not exceeded its monthly spending ceiling before connecting the call. All non-privileged conversations are recorded and monitored.
Official Provider: Securus Technologies Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-844-6591
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Securus Technologies
In addition to Direct Bill Calling, Securus and its subsidiary JPay offer several other communication, financial, and visitation services:
- AdvanceConnect Prepaid Calling: Fund a prepaid calling account tied to your mobile phone number.
• Learn more on our website: AdvanceConnect Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus AdvanceConnect - Securus Video Connect: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Video Connect - JPay Money Deposits (Trust & Canteen): Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for commissary store purchases.
• Learn more on our website: Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Money Transfers - JPay Email Messaging & Photos: Send electronic letters, photos, and VideoGrams directly to their tablet or kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Email Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Email Services
Securus eMessaging provides a digital messaging service that allows family members to send electronic letters, digital photos, and eCards directly to an incarcerated loved one via handheld tablets and housing unit kiosks. Messages are screened electronically, delivering communication within hours instead of waiting days for postal mail delivery.
Important: Physical Mail Bans and Stamp Requirements Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional systems. While some jails continue to accept handwritten letters, many facilities have transitioned entirely to electronic messaging or digital mail scanning, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase eMessaging stamps right away, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send eMessages
- Go to securustech.online or open the Securus mobile app.
- Sign into your verified profile or create an account with your email and phone number.
- Select eMessaging from your service dashboard.
- Link the inmate to your account by selecting the facility and entering their legal name or booking ID.
- Purchase an eMessaging stamp book using a debit or credit card.
- Type your message in the editor, attach photos or eCards if permitted, and optionally include a prepaid reply stamp.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by correctional staff before delivery. Once approved, the message arrives in the inmate's inbox on their assigned Securus tablet or housing unit kiosk. The inmate opens the message, views attached photos, and drafts an electronic reply using their available stamp balance.
Official Provider: Securus Technologies Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-844-6591
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Securus Technologies
In addition to eMessaging, Securus provides calling, video visitation, and trust money services:
- AdvanceConnect Prepaid Calling: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your mobile phone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvanceConnect Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus AdvanceConnect - Securus Video Connect: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Video Connect - JPay Money Deposits (Partner Trust Transfers): Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for commissary shopping.
• Learn more on our website: Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Money Transfers
Securus Technologies (Aventiv) deploys secure, corrections-grade community tablets to incarcerated individuals across state prison systems and county jails. Operating over a private, encrypted facility network, these devices provide access to digital messaging (eMessaging), phone calls, educational courses, job search tools, eBooks, podcasts, and streaming music directly from housing units.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund Securus Tablets
- Verify that Securus handheld tablets are deployed at your loved one's specific facility.
- Log into your account at securustech.online or launch the Securus mobile app.
- Ensure the inmate is linked to your contact list using their legal name and booking ID number.
- Purchase eMessaging Stamps for digital messaging, fund an AdvanceConnect account for phone calls, or deposit funds into their Inmate Debit account for music and media.
- Review all transaction charges, complete payment with a credit or debit card, and save your confirmation receipt.
- Notify your loved one that funds have posted so they can access their media and communication apps.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their facility PIN or biometric verification. They can access free rehabilitative and educational materials at no charge, or open communication and media applications to draft messages, place phone calls, or stream music using available balances. Devices are docked during quiet hours and shift changes for secure recharging and data synchronization.
Official Provider: Securus Technologies Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-844-6591
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by Securus Technologies
In addition to Tablet Services, Securus provides calling, messaging, video visitation, and trust money transfers:
- eMessaging & Digital Mail: Send electronic messages, photo attachments, and eCards directly to an inmate's tablet.
• Learn more on our website: eMessaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus eMessaging - AdvanceConnect Prepaid Calling: Prepay for phone calling credits so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvanceConnect Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus AdvanceConnect - Securus Video Connect: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Securus Video Connect - JPay Money Deposits (Partner Trust Transfers): Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for commissary shopping.
• Learn more on our website: Money Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JPay Money Transfers
Hamilton County County Jails
Hamilton County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 513-946-6300
- Adult Court: 513-946-5666
- Adult Probation: 513-946-9666
- Arrest Warrants: 513-946-5350
- Booking: 513-946-6100
- Cincinnati Police: 513-765-1212
- Court: 513-946-6010
- District Attorney: 513-946-3000
- Inmate Info: 513-946-6300
- Juvenile Court: 513-946-9200
- Public Defender: 513-946-3700
- Records: 513-946-6220
- Sheriff: 513-946-6400
The Hamilton County Justice Center serves the following cities and towns of Hamilton County: Addyston, Amberley, Amelia, Arlington Heights, Blue Ash, Cheviot, Cincinnati, Cleves, Deer Park, Delhi Hills, Elmwood Place, Evendale, Fairfax, Forest Park, Glendale, Golf Manor, Harrison, Hyde Park, Indian Hill, Loveland, Madeira, Mariemont, Milford, Montgomery, Mount Healthy, Newtown, Norwood, North Bend, North College Hill, Norwood, Reading, Saint Bernard, Sharonville, Silverton, Springdale, Terrace Park, Woodlawn and Woodlawn.