VOTE411 Voter Guide

About the CourtThe Courts of Appeal s primary function is to hear appeals from the common pleas, municipal, and county courts.  Each case is heard and decided by a panel of three judges.The state is divided into twelve appellate districts.  Each district is served by a court of appeals that sits in each of the counties in that district.  The number of judges in each district varies from four to twelve.  In addition to appellate jurisdiction, the courts of appeals have original jurisdiction, as does the Ohio Supreme Court, to hear applications for writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, procedendo, prohibition, and quo warranto.Court of appeals judges are elected in even-numbered years to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot.  Appellate judges must be attorneys with at least six years of experience in the practice of law.  The Governor makes appointments to fill vacancies in courts of appeals that occur between elections.