Court Information
Court Announcement 1
Defiance Municipal Court will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. The Court will reopen on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:30 a.m. (drive-thru) and 8:00 a.m. (lobby).Court Announcement 2
Court Hours
Office Hours: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Monday - Friday
Drive-thru: 7:30AM - 4:30PM
Monday - Friday
Contact Numbers
Traffic/Criminal: 419.782.5756
Civil/Small Claims: 419.782.4092
Bailiff/Probation - Brandon Rhodes: 419.783.1903
Bailiff/Probation - Brittney Beard: 419.784.2222
Bailiff/Probation - Kayla Michael: 419.782.5501
Probation: 419.784.2222
Probation Fax: 419.783.1900
Court Fax: 419.782.2018
dmc@defiancemunicipalcourt.com
Court Personnel
Judge Troy A. Essex
Casey A. Linebrink, Clerk
Crystal Dippman, Secretary/Deputy Clerk
Civil Division
Civil Cases: ($15,000 or less)
Small Claims Cases: ($6000 or less)
Trusteeships
Rent/Escrow / Landlord/Tenant
Staff
Stacie Bidlack - Chief Deputy Clerk
Jordin Hughes - Deputy Clerk
Sara Rumbaugh - Deputy Clerk
Criminal Division
Criminal Cases: (misdemeanors)
Felony Preliminary Hearings
Traffic Cases
Staff
Ann L. Blunt - Chief Deputy Clerk
Tasha Short - Deputy Clerk
Andrea Goliver - Deputy Clerk
Jennifer Epple - Deputy Clerk
Jennifer Dukes - Deputy Clerk
Bailiff/Probation Department
Fax: 419.783.1900
Brandon Rhodes - 419.783.1903
Brittney Beard - 419.784.2222
Miscellaneous Information
Office Hours: 8:00AM - 4:00PM | Monday - Friday (closed for legal holidays)
Drive-thru Hours: 7:30AM - 4:30PM | Monday - Friday (closed for legal holidays)
Location: Corner of Thurston and Perry St.
Public Access: Terminal is available Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 4PM
Fax Filing: Fax filing is accepted