About the Court

Oregon was incorporated in 1958. A Mayor’s Court was conducted on a regular basis until January 1, 1964.

The Oregon Municipal Court was established January 1, 1964 by the Ohio General Assembly and operates pursuant to the authority as set forth in Ohio Revised Code Section 1901. Council chambers in the old Oregon township hall served as the first courthouse. A new facility adjoining the police department was constructed in 1964. Court was conducted daily for 23 years at this facility. As the population increased, so did the volume of traffic, criminal and civil cases. To maintain the dignity and decorum of the Court and to provide adequate working space for an expanding staff, a new courthouse was necessary. After many years of planning, a new and modern courthouse was dedicated on May 29, 1987.

The Oregon Municipal Court Judge is elected on a nonpartisan ballot for a term of six years. The term commences on the first day of January after the election.

Judge Joseph L. Wetli was the first elected Judge of the Oregon Municipal Court in 1963 and served as Judge until 1981. When he retired, he was succeeded by Judge Donald Z. Petroff who served from 1981 until 2005, as the second Judge in Oregon. When he retired, he was succeeded by Judge Jeffery B. Keller who served from 2006 until 2017, as the third Judge in Oregon. Louis S. Kovacs is currently the presiding Judge and the fourth elected Judge in Oregon.