The Court Services Division is a multi-faceted operation with diverse responsibilities and is divided into three sections; Court Security, Field Operations and Operations Sections.
Child Support Enforcement
The Child Support Enforcement Unit is responsible for child support warrants issue by Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts and deputies are assigned to apprehend child support violators.
Court Security
The Court Security Unit is responsible for providing a safe and secure atmosphere so the Courthouse and other County administrative buildings’ functions can be conducted with proper dignity and decorum.
Civil Enforcement
The Civil Enforcement Unit represents the Sheriff’s Office in the area of property sales (mortgage foreclosure, tax foreclosure and tax lien certificates) and property seizures (possession orders, replevin orders, attachments and levies of execution).
Explosive Detection Canine Team
The Court Services Division is home for two explosive detection canines. These canines are highly trained to detect materials commonly used to produce commercial and homemade explosive devices. They are frequently called upon to search areas prior to dignitary visits, major sporting events, entertainment venues and events that attract a large number of citizens.
Fugitive Warrants
The Fugitive Warrant Unit is responsible for service of Grand Jury Indictments, capias and warrants from Common Pleas Courts. Several deputies within the Fugitive Warrant Unit have a working relationship with the United States Marshals via a specialized unit known as the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST). Deputies assigned to SOFAST are deputized as United States Deputy Marshals and have multi-state arrest power. SOFAST’s mission is to coordinate warrant service with other local, state, and federal agencies with the intent to concentrate on the most serious wanted fugitives.
Probate Unit
The Probate Unit is responsible for service of Probate Court warrants and capias, transportation of subjects between hospitals and the Court. The deputies assigned to this unit maintain security in the courtroom during probate hearings. This is a very sensitive assignment due to the nature of being directly involved with mentally ill individuals.
Offender Registration
The Offender Registration Unit operates by decree of the Ohio Revised Code which mandates the duty and responsibility for arson, sex and violent offender registration as a responsibility of the Sheriff’s Office.
Process Unit
The Process Unit is responsible for processing summons, complaints, indictments, stalking orders, domestic violence protection orders, stay away orders, vacate orders, subpoenas, garnishments, orders for judgment, notary subpoenas, and probate papers. Additional responsibilities include Foreign County and out of state process. All processes received are entered into a database and given to uniformed deputies for service.
Transportation
The Transportation Unit is responsible for transporting convicted prisoners to the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and return wanted fugitives from other jurisdictions.