Oct. 29—North Hampton, a village in northern Clark County, Ohio, is home to one of the busiest mayor’s courts in the state. With a population of 457, this small village ranks third in the number of incoming cases per 100 residents, handling 1,065 new cases just last year. Nearby communities Tremont City and Donnelsville in Clark County, as well as Harveysburg in Warren County, also make the list, ranking fifth, sixth, and seventh per capita, respectively.
While some critics argue that mayor’s courts often function as speed traps and are susceptible to abuse, court officials maintain that they serve the needs of local communities. To gain further insight, a reporter visited the North Hampton Mayor’s Court to witness firsthand how these cases are handled.
Interestingly, if one isn’t paying close attention, they might miss the North Hampton Village Offices and Mayor’s Court, located within a farmhouse along Ohio 41. Arriving early, people gather in the parking lot near the rear entrance, waiting for the session to begin. A police officer arrives shortly before, and individuals must sign in and submit to a security check before entering.
Due to limited space, only a few people can enter at a time, as the house also accommodates the village offices, court clerk, and police. The former dining room serves as a waiting area, while the front room of the house, furnished with chairs and a conference table, is where Magistrate Brandin Marlow presides on the first and third Thursdays of each month.
Marlow, a respected attorney with 20 years of experience, resides in Montgomery County but works as a magistrate in Clark County Juvenile Court. She previously served as a hearing officer in Springfield’s red light camera program. As each person is called to the conference table, Marlow reads their offense, ensures they understand their rights, and records their plea—guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
Excitedly, Marlow engages in conversation with the defendant, eager to hear their side of the story regarding the ticket. After reviewing their driving record, she determines an appropriate fine and additional costs. “Allowing people to share their story in court is vital because it lends credibility,” she explains. “I prioritize making individuals feel comfortable, which ultimately builds trust.”
Although North Hampton Mayor’s Court receives a high volume of cases, many defendants opt to pay the guilty waiver/bond forfeiture fee of $250 for their traffic infractions. Marlow observes that traffic cases far outnumber criminal cases in her court, with citations for lacking an operator’s license being more prevalent than speeding tickets.
“My role isn’t about generating revenue,” Marlow asserts. “It’s about problem-solving to make our roads safer. Judicial officers exist because the law permits discretion, and the communities we serve expect us to exercise that discretion. The court system requires a personal touch.”
In several instances, Marlow reduces a speeding charge to a non-moving violation, such as no headlights, which incurs a lower fine and avoids points on the driver’s record. One defendant even shared that he had to donate plasma to pay off his ticket.
In another case, after listening to the defendant’s story, Marlow accepts a guilty plea for a speeding offense but downgrades it to no headlights. The fine is reduced to $100 plus costs. Curious, she asks the defendant if they frequently traverse this area. To which they sardonically respond, “not no more.”
A Haitian man, despite potential language barriers, attempts to proceed with his case. However, Marlow, unsure if he fully understands English and lacking a translator, transfers the case to Springfield Municipal Court, which has court-certified interpreters available. She also suggests the man pay the ticket online.
Out of the 32 cases listed for that mayor’s court session, 18 defendants fail to appear. Marlow enforces a three-strike rule for no shows—if someone fails to appear three times, she places a warrant block on their license, which remains until they attend court.
Marlow takes pride in aiding working individuals with license reinstatements, as evidenced by the presence of three individuals in court showing their progress, as well as those diligently working towards paying off their fines and costs. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to do this,” Marlow expresses. “Contributing to this community and adding a personal touch to the court system brings me immense satisfaction.”
