The Bailiff's Department is primarily responsible for security at the Painesville Municipal Court, including courtroom proceedings. This department has many other duties some of which include service of subpoenas, some post-judgment executions, serving eviction notices and supervising move outs.

Individuals who have been granted writs of restitution must contact the Bailiff's Department to schedule a move-out date for their tenant. It is the landlords responsibility to secure people to help move the tenants belongings out of the residence should they not vacate the premises by the scheduled date and time.

The Bailiff's Department also oversees vehicle immobilizations. Individuals who have had their vehicle seized or otherwise immobilized must contact the Court with any questions regarding their vehicles, but the following should answer most general questions.

Your vehicle has been seized by the Police because you have been charged with Driving under Suspension, Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or Wrongful Entrustment. Your vehicle will remain impounded until a motion for release is filed with the Court. The Judge will decide whether the vehicle will be immobilized at a hearing that is set after your motion is filed.

If the Judge DOES NOT immobilize your vehicle, you may obtain the release:

1. If the Judge releases your vehicle at your hearing:
   • After your hearing, get a Motor Vehicle Release from the Clerks office. This release is also sent to the police department electronically.
   • Take the Motor Vehicle Release to the police department that towed your vehicle;
   • Provide identification, proof of car insurance and/or registration;
   • Police department will issue a release;
   • Take the release to the storage impound;
   • Impound lots will only release vehicles to a licensed driver;
   • Pay storage and towing fees.
2. If the Judge IMMOBILIZED your vehicle:
   1. You may leave it in the impound lot but you will incur daily storage and towing fees;
   2. You may have it immobilized at your home or other appropriate location within the Painesville Municipal Court jurisdiction.

If the Judge releases your vehicle at your hearing:

• After your hearing, get a Motor Vehicle Release from the Clerks office. This release is also sent to the police department electronically.
• Take the Motor Vehicle Release to the police department that towed your vehicle;
• Provide identification, proof of car insurance and/or registration;
• Police department will issue a release;
• Take the release to the storage impound;
• Pay storage and towing fees;
• The vehicle must remain within the Court's jurisdiction. Those areas include Painesville, Painesville Township, Concord, Fairport Harbor, Perry, North Perry, Madison Village, Madison Township and Grand River.
• The Court Bailiff will remove club after immobilization period has expired and the $100 fee has been paid.

• If you operate the immobilized vehicle, said vehicle may be forfeited to the State of Ohio, you may be charged with Contempt of Court, or your bond revoked.
• Bailiff’s periodically check all immobilized vehicles held outside the impound lot to determine that the vehicle has not been moved. Moving an immobilized vehicle is in violation of the court order.