Tri-County Regional Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Champaign County Ohio
Urbana is the county seat of Champaign County, a farming county between Springfield and Bellefontaine, and both of its trial courts sit on Main Street there. The Champaign County Municipal Court, at 205 S. Main Street, hears every misdemeanor and OVI in the county along with the early stages of felony cases; the Court of Common Pleas, in the courthouse at 200 N. Main Street, takes felonies once they are indicted. Felony and juvenile cases are prosecuted by the elected Champaign County Prosecuting Attorney. The county does not operate a jail of its own; adults who are held go to the Tri-County Regional Jail near Mechanicsburg.
- Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, Champaign County Courthouse, 200 N. Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078, (937) 484-1047
- Champaign County Municipal Court, 205 S. Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078, (937) 653-7376
- Champaign County Family Court (probate, juvenile and domestic relations), 200 N. Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078, (937) 484-1027
- Champaign County Prosecuting Attorney, Urbana, OH 43078 (reach the office through the courthouse, (937) 484-1047)
- Tri-County Regional Jail, shared by Champaign with Madison and Union counties: 4099 State Route 559, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044, (937) 834-5000
- Court-appointed defense: apply through the Municipal Court or the Common Pleas Court; Ohio Public Defender, Columbus, (614) 466-5394
Which court hears your case. One court, the Champaign County Municipal Court, has territory over all of Champaign County, so an OVI on U.S. 36, a shoplifting complaint in Urbana or a traffic misdemeanor near St. Paris, Mechanicsburg or North Lewisburg is filed at 205 S. Main Street. State court statistics show no active mayor's court anywhere in Champaign, and the county has no county court either. Felony arrests make their first stop in that same Municipal Court for the initial appearance, bond and a possible preliminary hearing. The felony then transfers to the Common Pleas Court, General Division, after a grand jury indictment or a defendant's written waiver and a bill of information. The Second District Court of Appeals in Dayton hears appeals.
Where pretrial detainees are held. Champaign, Madison and Union counties share the Tri-County Regional Jail at 4099 State Route 559 outside Mechanicsburg, close to where the three counties meet. After an arrest by the Champaign County Sheriff's Office, Urbana police or the State Highway Patrol, a person who is not released on a citation is taken there and held until bond is posted or the case closes. Call the jail at (937) 834-5000 for bond amounts, visiting and commissary questions.
- Local courts in Champaign County (municipal, county and mayor's courts)
- Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first OVI, assault, criminal trespass)
- Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug trafficking, felonious assault)
- Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, aggravated robbery)
- Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Champaign County
- Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Champaign County
1. Local courts in Champaign County (municipal, county and mayor's courts)
Every local criminal case in Champaign County is handled by a single court a few blocks south of the courthouse square.
Municipal court
- Champaign County Municipal Court — 205 S. Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078 (mailing: P.O. Box 67), (937) 653-7376. Covers the entire county: the city of Urbana, the villages of Christiansburg, Mechanicsburg, Mutual, North Lewisburg, St. Paris and Woodstock, and every township, including unincorporated communities such as Cable.
County court
Champaign County has no county court, since every acre already falls inside Municipal Court territory.
Mayor's courts
Champaign villages send no mayor's court numbers to the state's high court. Older directories list mayor's courts in Mechanicsburg, North Lewisburg and St. Paris, but ordinance and traffic citations written in those villages are now expected in the Municipal Court. If a ticket points somewhere else, the Municipal Court clerk can sort it out before the court date.
2. Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first OVI, assault, criminal trespass)
After the arrest
Champaign County officers write many misdemeanors as citations, which list a date at the Municipal Court and let the person go home. Someone taken into custody, which is usual for OVI, domestic violence and warrant arrests, is driven to the Tri-County Regional Jail for booking: photographs, fingerprints, a property inventory and a check for other holds. Bond on many charges can be posted under the court's schedule without waiting for a judge.
Seeing the judge
Anyone not bonded out appears before the Municipal Court judge without unnecessary delay, usually the next court day and often over a video link from the jail. Ohio's Constitution was changed in 2022 so that judges deciding a bail amount consider public safety, the person's record, the seriousness of the charge and whether the person is likely to return. An Urbana judge may accept the person's written promise to return, or call for a 10 percent deposit, full cash, or a bail agent's surety bond.
Defense and trial rights
If jail is possible and the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court appoints one after the defendant completes a financial affidavit; a modest application fee may apply. To get a jury, the defendant must file a written demand before the deadline; Ohio misdemeanor juries seat eight people who must reach a unanimous decision. Without a timely demand, the judge hears the case alone. Ohio's speedy-trial law gives the city or county prosecutor 90 days for M1 and M2 offenses and 45 days for M3 and M4 offenses, counting each jailed day three times.
Sentencing ranges
Ohio caps misdemeanor penalties by degree. A first-degree misdemeanor, which includes assault and theft of less than $1,000, can bring as long as 180 days in jail and a fine reaching $1,000. Second-degree cases top out at 90 days and $750, third-degree at 60 days and $500, and fourth-degree at 30 days and $250; basic criminal trespass is in that last group, although aggravated trespass is first-degree. Minor misdemeanors bring only a fine, capped at $150.
OVI
For a first OVI the law requires at least three days in a row in jail or a 72-hour driver intervention program instead, with six days as the minimum for a high test of .17 or above. Champaign County fines for that first offense must land in the $375-to-$1,075 band. An administrative suspension starts the moment a driver fails or refuses the test, and a conviction brings a court suspension of one to three years; limited privileges, and in some cases unlimited privileges with an interlock, can be requested.
Champaign County misdemeanors usually wrap up within one to four months. Endings vary: some cases are dismissed or diverted, some go through intervention in lieu of conviction, and others close with a lesser plea, fines and costs, community control or jail, after which sealing is often an option.
3. Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug trafficking, felonious assault)
Felony cases in Champaign County begin on South Main Street and finish on North Main Street.
At the Municipal Court
The judge reviews the complaint, sets bond and appoints counsel when the defendant qualifies. A preliminary hearing, where a judge decides whether probable cause exists, has to happen within 10 days for a jailed defendant or 15 days for one who is out (Crim.R. 5(B)), but it is often unnecessary because the Prosecuting Attorney obtains an indictment first.
Grand jury
A Champaign County grand jury hears the state's evidence in private and votes on an indictment. A defendant can also give up the grand jury and agree to a bill of information, a route frequently used when a plea agreement is already worked out.
At the Common Pleas Court
Arraignment comes first, followed by discovery, motions and pretrial conferences. Plea agreements resolve most cases. At trial, 12 jurors decide guilt and must be unanimous. A presentence investigation report is usually prepared before the judge imposes sentence.
Penalty levels
- Fifth degree: 6 to 12 months possible; theft from $1,000 up to $7,500. Community control is the presumed sentence for many first-time nonviolent F5 and F4 defendants.
- Fourth degree: 6 to 18 months; property thefts in the $7,500-to-$150,000 band.
- Third degree: most F3 terms fall between nine months and three years, while a designated group allows up to five; some burglaries.
- Second degree: 2 to 8 years; felonious assault, and a burglary where the home was likely occupied.
- First degree: 3 to 11 years; aggravated burglary.
Under the Reagan Tokes Law, an F1 or F2 committed since March 22, 2019, carries an indefinite term, a judge-selected minimum plus a possible maximum up to 50 percent longer. Drug trafficking can be charged at any level from F5 through F1 depending on the substance and quantity. A gun specification stacks mandatory prison time on top of the underlying sentence. Defendants whose offenses stem from addiction can ask for intervention in lieu of conviction.
Time frame
Ohio requires felony trials within 270 days of arrest, and jail days count triple, meaning the limit is about 90 days for someone held the entire time unless the defense waives time or the clock is paused. Champaign County felonies typically resolve in four to twelve months.
4. Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, aggravated robbery)
The most serious Champaign County cases still start in the Municipal Court, but they move quickly to the grand jury, and preliminary hearings are rarely held. Bond is often high, and the judge may deny bail entirely when the constitutional factors point that way. The defendant typically remains at the Tri-County Regional Jail while the case is pending.
Possible sentences
- Aggravated murder carries one of three outcomes: execution, a whole-life term, or a life term with a first parole look at 20, 25 or 30 years. Ohio has not executed anyone since 2018, as governors have issued repeated reprieves.
- Murder brings an indefinite sentence whose floor is 15 years and whose ceiling is life.
- Rape, an F1, is sentenced to a Reagan Tokes range; a life sentence becomes possible when the victim is younger than 13 and additional factors, such as force, apply.
- Aggravated robbery is an F1 and is frequently charged with a firearm specification.
Lawyers and victims
Defendants who cannot pay are assigned attorneys qualified for serious felonies, and a capital indictment requires counsel certified for death-penalty work. Victims have constitutional rights under Marsy's Law, adopted in Ohio in 2017, including notice of proceedings and the right to be present and heard. Expect these cases to last a year or two, or more when forensic testing and expert witnesses are involved.
5. Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Champaign County
Champaign County combines its probate, juvenile and domestic relations work in the Champaign County Family Court, 200 N. Main Street, Urbana, (937) 484-1027. A youth accused of an offense faces a delinquency complaint there, filed by the Champaign County Prosecuting Attorney.
Intake
Court staff screen new complaints, and minor or first-time cases are often diverted or handled unofficially. The youth may be asked to complete counseling, community service, restitution or a class, and the matter closes without a formal finding if the terms are met.
Detention
Secure detention is reserved for youths who pose a danger, may run, or have no safe place to go. Champaign County has no detention center of its own and typically contracts for beds at a regional facility, such as the Central Ohio Youth Center in Marysville. Ohio's Juvenile Rule 7(F) requires a detention hearing promptly, and no later than 72 hours after placement or the next court day.
Results
Dispositions range from probation and treatment to electronic monitoring and out-of-home placement. Felony-level conduct can also end in a commitment to a state facility run by the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS).
Adult court and blended sentences
Ohio law sends certain 16- and 17-year-olds charged with the most serious crimes to the adult Common Pleas court automatically, and the same mandatory transfer reaches 14- and 15-year-olds in a smaller set of cases. On the prosecutor's motion, the Family Court judge may also move a felony case involving a 14-to-17-year-old to adult court, but only after deciding at an amenability hearing that juvenile programs will not work. A Serious Youthful Offender designation lets the judge pair a juvenile disposition with an adult sentence that is stayed and can be imposed if the youth does not succeed.
Juvenile records are generally kept confidential and can often be sealed or expunged. Parents can ask Family Court staff how to get a lawyer appointed, or reach the Ohio Public Defender at (614) 466-5394.
6. Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Champaign County
Federal prosecutions arising in Champaign County belong to the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, and are usually heard in Dayton at the Walter H. Rice Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 200 West Second Street, Dayton, OH 45402.
Typical federal cases from the county
Most involve drug distribution networks that cross county or state lines, firearms possessed by people barred from having them, bank or benefits fraud, internet crimes against children, or offenses investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF or Postal Inspection Service. Some begin as Champaign County cases and are adopted federally because the penalties are stiffer.
Who handles the case in Dayton
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Dayton branch, 200 W. Second Street, Suite 600, Dayton, OH 45402, (937) 225-2910
- Federal Public Defender, Dayton office, 1 South Main Street, Suite 490, Dayton, OH 45402, (937) 225-7687
- U.S. Marshals Service, Dayton, 200 W. Second Street, Suite 108, Dayton, OH 45402, (937) 225-2917
Step by step
- A magistrate judge holds the initial appearance and explains the charges and rights.
- The detention hearing, when the United States asks for one, is typically held no more than three court days later. Money bail does not exist in federal court, so the choice is between release on conditions, with U.S. Pretrial Services officers checking compliance, and remaining in custody.
- A case started by complaint needs a grand jury indictment within 30 days.
- Trial should follow within 70 days under the Speedy Trial Act, though Dayton judges often exclude time for discovery.
- Most defendants plead guilty. A probation officer then prepares a presentence report, and the judge weighs the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and any mandatory minimum.
- Sentences are served in the Bureau of Prisons without parole, usually about 85 percent of the term with good-time credit, followed by supervised release.
A federal trial jury has 12 members who must agree unanimously, and appeals are heard by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati. While a case is pending, the Marshals hold detainees in jails and contract facilities around the region; family members near Urbana can type a Champaign County prisoner's name or register number into the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. An Urbana resident held pretrial in a Marshals-contract jail can be listed on the jail's list. Federal charges against juveniles are uncommon and are usually returned to the county Family Court.
The information on this page explains the usual path of a criminal case in Champaign County and does not replace advice from an attorney. Courts change schedules and procedures, so rely on your summons or bond papers for exact dates. To request appointed counsel, contact the Champaign County Municipal Court at (937) 653-7376 or the Ohio Public Defender at (614) 466-5394.
Criminal Court Process for Champaign County Ohio
Champaign County Ohio Criminal Court System – Definitions
It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Ohio Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.
If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Champaign County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.
Arrest is when Ohio, Champaign County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed.
In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Champaign County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.
Booking is when the Champaign County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.
The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that presses the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Ohio, Champaign County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Champaign County or the district is called the Prosecuting Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.
Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case. For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case. If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.
Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.
Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.
Bail is money paid that is held by the Champaign County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment.
Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Champaign County Jail until their trial. Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. The clerk of courts can set some low-level bonds in Ohio.
In Ohio, judges and magistrates set bail and they rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
It is always important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf (not all bond companies will accept collect calls), but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court, not only for the defendant’s own good, but because they may have signed bond paperwork and responsible to pay if the defendant does not show in court. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsman will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
A judicial public bond or personal recognizance bond is a bond where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising that the defendant will show up to court. No money is paid to the court. The personal recognizance bond is usually used in a minor misdemeanor or low-level felony.
Cash percentage in lieu of bonds. If the bond order permits, the defendant pays 10% plus a $25 fee to the Champaign County Clerk of Court who then holds the money until the case is over. The amount is returned if the defendant is acquitted or the case is dismissed, or it can be used toward paying any court fines incurred by the defendant.
Surety Bond is when defendant pays a percentage of the bond amount (usually 10–15%) to a professional bondsman or bail bond company licensed to do business in Ohio, {county extended}. The bondsman then signs the bond on behalf of the defendant. The defendant does not receive any of the money back. If the bondsman feels the defendant is a flight risk, they can refuse to give a bond or charge a higher fee. For example, a bondsman may determine a defendant is a flight risk if they are from a state other than Ohio.
A Property Bond is a bond in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted). Usually, the property must be in Champaign County, and it must be worth at least the amount of the bond.
An Unsecured Bond is when the defendant is released without paying bail upfront, but they must pay the full amount if they do not appear in court.
A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest.
If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases, and certain appeal cases.
In Ohio, the Ohio Public Defender Commission oversees indigent defense as a whole and contributes 40% of the costs and directly handles appeal and post-conviction cases. It is up to each county to fund most of the costs for criminal cases that could go to trial. There is a $25 fee for indigent representation in Ohio. The following link is for the county public defender.
For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. The attached link has a list of pro bono organizations in Ohio.
Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se. Here is a link for legal self-help in Ohio.
A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are in the community. A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are two U.S. federal district courts in Ohio, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late for court can land you in custody as well.
Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered. This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.
Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings. A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment. The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty. There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.
Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial. If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial. If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released. If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.
Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.
Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court. If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.
Ohio Felony vs Misdemeanor
There are two main types of misdemeanor crimes in Ohio.
- A minor misdemeanor is when the potential fine for the offense does not exceed $150 without jail time. Examples of a minor misdemeanor include most traffic violations as speeding, running a red light and can also include violations such as open container and noise violations.
- A first-degree misdemeanor is when there is a possible sentence of 6 months in jail or a maximum fine of $1000 or both. Examples of first-degree misdemeanors include disorderly conduct, criminal trespassing, stalking assault and some drug offenses.
A felony crime in Ohio is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and can be punished with more significant fines and jail time. Felony crimes can be murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft. In Ohio, serious felonies such as murder do not have a category and can hold a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
The remaining felonies are divided into 5 categories. The following sentences are the maximum sentences for each crime.
• First degree felony or F1 is punishable by 3 to 11 years in state prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
• Second degree felony or F2 is punishable by 2 to 8 years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
• Third degree felony or F3 is punishable by 1 to 5 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Fourth degree felony is punishable by 6 to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $5000 and a
• Fifth degree felony is punishable by 6 to 12 months in state prison and a fine up to $2500.
The Champaign County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.
A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement. There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime.
A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date. It does not involve an arrest. A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.
A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.
Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Champaign County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest. It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket.
Ohio Criminal Court System - How it Works
Municipal Courts in Ohio handle cases, including trial, for involve offenses involving municipal (city or town) ordinances, traffic and all misdemeanor offenses. If the arrested might be facing jail time, they have the right to ask for a jury trial in the municipal court. The municipal court can conduct preliminary hearings for felony cases before forwarding them to a court of common plea for further prosecution or trial.
County Courts can handle the identical criminal matters that a municipal court can. Cases are handled in county courts when there are no municipal courts available.
The Courts of Common Pleas (may also be called district court) have original jurisdiction in all criminal felony cases, meaning that a felony case can be handled from the beginning to end. in a court of common pleas and is also the court where trials are heard for misdemeanors. There are Divisions that handle civil and criminal matters. The divisions that handle criminal matters are the General Division for all criminal court proceedings, the Domestic Relations Division that handles divorce matters, domestic and date violence matters. The Juvenile Division has original jurisdiction over cases involving individuals up to age 18.
Specialty Courts are being adopted in many states to handle cases that involve non-violent and first-time offender cases in a way to where the offender can retain a job or responsibilities while following specific orders of the court as returned court appearances, periodic evaluations or testing for substances. Ohio’s specialty courts or dockets include drug courts, mental health courts OVI/DUI courts and veteran’s courts.
The following webpage will provide further information on the Ohio specialty courts.
The Ohio Court of Appeals hears appeals from the courts of common pleas, municipal and county courts. Justices will review the procedures of the case and decide whether the case outcome will be changed, unchanged or moved to supreme court.
The Ohio Supreme Court is similar to our United States’ Supreme Court because it The Ohio Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Ohio State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is a question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal. The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.
FEDERAL COURT
Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws. Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.
Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime.
There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Ohio state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).
Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.
There are two U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Ohio.
