Come to court to present your defenses & protect your rights

If your landlord has sued you for eviction, you may have 2 different trials. Each trial is a different process.

1. The first trial will be the Eviction Trial. It will be about whether your landlord can evict you or not. This may be called the 1st Cause or Eviction Trial. Read more about the Eviction trial below.

2. The second trial will be the Money Trial. It will be about what money you owe them. This may be called the 2nd Cause or Money Trial. Read more about the Money Trial here.

It is your right to defend yourself at both trials. Use this page to see if you have any defenses.

Where are eviction trials held in Hamilton County, Ohio?

Eviction trials are typically in room B of the Hamilton County Justice Center at 1000 Sycamore Street.

Check your Summons for the exact time and place of your trial.

Hamilton County Justice Center, in downtown Cincinnati

Eviction Trial: 4 key things to know

1. This 1st trial will only be about whether the landlord can make you leave your home. It will not be about money or other bad things you believe the landlord did.

2. The trial will go very quickly. Most cases take just 1 minute.

3. Know when and where to go. If you are late, you may miss your chance to defend yourself.

4. Even if you don’t think you have any defenses, it is still worth going to court to protect yourself.

Do you have any defenses against eviction?

Your Eviction Trial is your chance to present any defenses you have. This is when you can challenge your landlord's claim that you should be evicted.

If you are being sued for eviction based on Non-Payment of Rent

Does one of these 3 situations apply to you?

You paid your rent on time.
You usually pay your rent late, but this time your landlord gave you a notice for it.
You tried to pay your full rent on time, but they would not accept it.

You may have a defense in your eviction case. You should come to court to defend yourself. Get legal help. Read below for more information on how to present your side at court.

Did you not pay your rent on time? You should still come to your eviction trial to protect yourself. You may not have a defense, but it's important to come to court.

If you are being sued for eviction for Violating Terms of your Lease

The landlord will be required to prove that you violated a specific requirement on your lease. At the eviction trial, you are allowed to present evidence that you did not violate the lease.

You may have a defense in your eviction case. You can come to court to defend yourself. Get legal help. Read below for more information on presenting our side at court.

Did you violate the lease? You should still come to your eviction trial to protect yourself. You may not have a defense, but it is important to come to court.

If you are being sued for eviction for Overstaying After Your Landlord Asked You to Leave

Are you month-to-month? The landlord can ask a month-to-month tenant to leave with 1-month’s notice. If you do not leave, they can file an eviction.

Are you on a lease? The landlord usually can only ask you to leave if you violated the lease. If the landlord tells you they are not renewing the lease, they could file an eviction if you do not leave.

You may have a defense in your eviction case. You can come to court to defend yourself. Get legal help. Read below for more information on presenting our side at court.

Don’t have a defense? You should still come to your eviction trial to protect yourself. You may not have a defense, but it is important to come to court.

Prepare for your Eviction Trial

When you come to court for your Eviction Trial, make sure to be prepared.

Before Your Trial

1. You should get Legal Help. Eviction trials are complicated and fast moving. Reach out for help early.

2. Collect Evidence: The notice you received will tell you why you are facing eviction. If you think you have a defense, print out evidence to prove it. Evidence could include rent receipts, money order stubs, bank statements, or pictures of messages confirming rent payments.

3. Come Early to Court: Show up to court at least 30 minutes early. The security line is long and the magistrate will not wait or rehear your case if you’re late.

How the Eviction Trial Will Go

1. Your Trial Begins: When your case is called, you and your landlord are sworn to tell the truth and have your trial.

2. Landlord’s Turn: Your landlord goes first and must prove their reasons for seeking an eviction.

3. Your Turn: When it’s your turn, you need to briefly explain your defenses. You can ask the landlord or witness questions. Tell the magistrate why you shouldn’t be evicted and what really happened. Show the magistrate any evidence you bring.

4. Judge (Magistrate) Makes Decision: The magistrate will make their decision then. If you win, the case is dismissed and you have the right to stay in your home. If you lose, the landlord gets a court order called a “writ” to put you out after 7 or less days.

After the Trial

1. Eviction Order: The landlord can get an eviction order, or a Writ of Eviction, for you to move.

2. Set-Out from Home: If you do not move or work something out with your landlord, the landlord can schedule a set-out. At the set-out, the bailiff comes and your possessions are removed from the home.

Find Legal Help

Get legal information or speak with a free lawyer at the court’s Help Center

Visit or call the Help Center at 513-946-5650 to get legal information or to make a free 40 minute appointment with a lawyer. They cannot represent you in court. For more information, visit room 113 of the Hamilton County Courthouse or visit https://www.cincyhelpcenter.org

Find a Lawyer to Represent You in Court

Call Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati at 513-241-9400, or go to https://www.lascinti.org/. You may qualify for a free lawyer. If eligible, Legal Aid could represent you in court.

Hire a private lawyer

Visit https://cincybar.org or call 513-381-8359 for a referral. You can ask them about the Modest Means Program. This may let you get a private lawyer for a more affordable price.

Get accommodation at your court hearing

Request a translator or disability accommodation at your court hearing.

Call the Hamilton County Municipal Court at 513-946-5200 to make your request.