June 17, 2019:

2019 AMNESTY Program

The 2019 License Forfeiture / Registration Block Amnesty Program is in effect as of June 17, 2019!

If you have a license forfeiture and/or registration block on your driver’s license through Barberton Municipal Court for failure to uphold your payment agreement, then you may be eligible for the Amnesty Program! 

In an attempt to resolve the debt you owe and help you get a valid license, the court is offering you an opportunity to clear your license forfeiture and/or registration block by paying ONE-HALF of what you owe the court and restarting your payment agreement to make monthly payments towards your balance. This program also allows you to bypass the usual required court appearance to get your releases.

If you pay half, the court will release any holds on your license and/or registration automatically without requiring you to appear in Court or pay the usual full amount. You will then be set up on a new payment agreement for your remaining balance.  This is a one-time offer and is only valid from June 17, 2019 through July 31, 2019.

To learn more, click here.

November 2, 2018:

 This week, two new Ohio laws were passed that will ultimately benefit those on the roads and those who wish to clear past criminal records; “Distracted Driver” and new “Eligible Offender” requirements for sealing or expunging a criminal record.

“Eligible Offenders: Sealing/Expunging A Record”:

Under the previous sealing/expungement law, only one felony case and one misdemeanor case could be sealed or no more than two misdemeanor cases. The new law extends that amount to UNLIMITED misdemeanor cases sealed and up to FIVE (5) felony cases sealed, truly helping those trying to clear past records. The law requires, however, that the felony cases to be sealed must not be higher than a fourth (4th) or fifth (5th) degree felony, must not be an act of violence, and must not be a felony sex offense. A person applying for an expungement/sealing of a case who has convictions in other jurisdictions must also follow these requirements. To see the section in the Ohio Revised Code, click here.

“Distracted Driver”:

 On Monday, October 29, 2018, a new law defining “distracted driver” was put into effect, allowing law enforcement to add an additional fine of $100.00 if the violation was caused due to a distraction. This law was passed in hopes of deterring distracted driving, since accidents caused by a distraction are most common and happen frequently. The revised code defines distracted as: “using a handheld electronic wireless communications devise”; “engaging in any activity that is not necessary to the operation of a vehicle and impairs, or reasonably would be expected to impair, the ability of the operator to drive the vehicle safely”. This could include texting, adjusting the radio, eating, applying makeup, etc. Although there is a $100.00 additional fine with this violation, there is the opportunity to have this fine waived by taking an online distracted driver course provided by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This test can be accessed at the website: https://www.drivertraining.ohio.gov/ and clicking the link “Courses/Programs”. To get the fee removed, you would need to complete the course, print out your completion certificate, and submit it to the Barberton Clerk of Courts office before paying your ticket in entirety. To see the law in the Ohio Revised Code, please click here.