It’s best to sit down with a lawyer and discuss your rights and options. Ohio law forbids employees of courts and clerks’ offices from giving legal advice. Keep in mind, however, that when the legislature created a public records process in the Court of Claims, they made sure it was streamlined and that it did not require hiring an attorney.

Regardless of which method you choose (writ of mandamus or filing a Complaint  in the Court of Claims), you must choose one or the other — you cannot do both. Ohio Revised Code 149.43 (C)(1).