Medina County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Medina County Ohio
Medina County is a fast-growing county between Cleveland and Akron, and the city of Medina, with its historic Public Square, is the county seat. Two municipal courts, the Medina Municipal Court and the Wadsworth Municipal Court, divide the county's misdemeanor, OVI and traffic cases and hold the opening hearings in felony cases. Felonies that are indicted are tried in the General Division of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas at 93 Public Square. The elected Medina County Prosecutor handles felony prosecutions, and city law directors or contracted prosecutors handle misdemeanors in the two municipal courts. People held after arrest are booked into the Medina County Jail, which the Sheriff runs on Independence Drive in Medina.
- Medina County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, Medina County Courthouse, 93 Public Square, Medina, OH 44256, (330) 725-9131
- Medina County Clerk of Courts, 93 Public Square, Room 129, Medina, OH 44256, (330) 725-9723
- Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Division, Medina County Courthouse, 93 Public Square, Medina, OH 44256; Juvenile (330) 725-9709, Probate (330) 725-9703
- Medina Municipal Court, 223 East Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256, (330) 723-3287; probation (330) 723-7313
- Wadsworth Municipal Court, 120 Maple Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281, (330) 335-1596
- Medina County Sheriff's Office and Medina County Jail, 555 Independence Drive, Medina, OH 44256, (330) 725-0028
- Medina County Prosecutor's Office, Public Square, Medina, OH 44256
Which court hears your case. Where the offense happened decides which municipal court gets a misdemeanor, OVI or traffic case. The Wadsworth Municipal Court serves the southeastern part of the county around the city of Wadsworth and its neighboring townships and villages, and the Medina Municipal Court takes the rest, including the cities of Medina and Brunswick and the northern and western townships. Medina County has no county court because those two municipal courts cover all of it. Two communities, Brunswick and the village of Westfield Center, appear on the state's most recent list of mayor's courts; a mayor's court there can hear local ordinance and traffic cases, holds no jury trials and must transfer a case to the municipal court when the defendant asks. Felony arrests start in the municipal court for the area, with an initial appearance, bond and possibly a preliminary hearing, and move to the Common Pleas Court after a Medina County grand jury indicts or the defendant consents to a bill of information. Appeals go to Ohio's Ninth District Court of Appeals in Akron.
Where pretrial detainees are held. All adult arrests in the county, whether by Medina, Brunswick or Wadsworth police, township officers, deputies or the State Highway Patrol, are booked into the Medina County Jail at 555 Independence Drive in Medina. Those who cannot post bond stay there while the case is pending, alongside people serving local sentences. Call the Sheriff's Office at (330) 725-0028 to confirm custody, bond amounts or visiting arrangements.
- Local courts in Medina County (municipal, county and mayor's courts)
- Courthouses in Medina and Wadsworth
- What happens after an arrest in Medina County
- The Medina County Jail
- Public defense in Medina County
- The Prosecutor, diversion and victims
- Specialty dockets in Medina County
- 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 Medina County
- Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Medina County
1. Local courts in Medina County (municipal, county and mayor's courts)
Medina County's local criminal courts are two municipal courts and two mayor's courts. Ticket and summons forms name the court, so check the paperwork first.
Municipal courts
- Medina Municipal Court — 223 East Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256, (330) 723-3287. Covers the cities of Medina and Brunswick and most of the county's townships and villages outside the Wadsworth court's area.
- Wadsworth Municipal Court — 120 Maple Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281, (330) 335-1596. Covers the city of Wadsworth and the surrounding southeastern townships and villages.
County court
None. Every part of Medina County falls inside one of the two municipal courts' territories.
Mayor's courts
- Brunswick Mayor's Court — City of Brunswick, Brunswick, OH 44212; contact Brunswick city offices for session dates.
- Westfield Center Mayor's Court — Village of Westfield Center, Westfield Center, OH 44251; contact the village office.
Both mayor's courts are drawn from the state's latest published list; confirm that a session is still being held before relying on it. If you have a ticket from either, the defendant may ask that it be transferred to the municipal court, which is where any jury trial would take place.
2. Courthouses in Medina and Wadsworth
The Medina County Courthouse at 93 Public Square holds the Common Pleas General Division courtrooms and the Clerk of Courts, where felony case files, indictments and bond postings for Common Pleas cases are handled. Grand jury proceedings, felony arraignments, pretrials, trials and sentencings all take place in this building or the adjoining county facilities on the square.
The Medina Municipal Court on East Washington Street handles arraignments, pretrials, misdemeanor trials, OVI cases and felony initial appearances for its territory, and runs its own probation department at (330) 723-7313. Because the court's address has changed in recent years, confirm the building with the clerk before a first visit.
The Wadsworth Municipal Court on Maple Street does the same work for the Wadsworth area. Defendants arrested there are typically arraigned in Wadsworth, sometimes by video from the county jail.
Parking near Public Square fills quickly on court mornings. Allow time for security screening, and bring the citation or bond receipt so staff can direct you to the correct courtroom.
3. What happens after an arrest in Medina County
Booking
After an arrest, officers take the person to the Medina County Jail on Independence Drive. Jail staff record personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, check for warrants, and inventory property. A person arrested on a warrant from another county may be held until that county picks them up.
Bond
For many misdemeanors, each municipal court's bond schedule sets an amount that can be posted at the jail right away. For felonies, domestic violence and other charges that require a judge, the person waits for the first appearance. Ohio judges may release on recognizance, require a 10 percent deposit, or set a cash or surety bond, and commercial bail bond agents are allowed. The 2022 amendment to the Ohio Constitution directs judges to weigh public safety, the person's criminal record, the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood of appearance when choosing an amount. Release conditions may include no-contact orders, alcohol monitoring or reporting to probation.
First appearance
The initial appearance happens in the Medina or Wadsworth Municipal Court without unnecessary delay, usually the next business day, and often by video link from the jail. The judge reads the charge, reviews bond and appoints counsel if the defendant qualifies. Misdemeanor defendants enter a plea at this hearing; felony defendants do not, because the municipal court cannot take a plea to a felony.
After the first appearance
A misdemeanor case continues in the municipal court through pretrial conferences, any motions, and a plea or trial. A felony case either has a preliminary hearing in the municipal court, due within 10 consecutive days if the defendant is jailed and 15 days if released, or goes directly to the grand jury. After indictment, the case belongs to the Common Pleas Court, which schedules arraignment, discovery, pretrials and trial.
4. The Medina County Jail
The Medina County Jail is operated by the Medina County Sheriff at 555 Independence Drive in Medina, OH 44256, (330) 725-0028. It is the county's only full-service adult jail, so arrests from every municipal court territory end up there.
- Who is held: pretrial defendants who have not posted bond, people serving misdemeanor jail sentences, those held on probation violations, and inmates awaiting transfer to state prison after a felony sentence.
- Posting bond: bonds can generally be posted at the jail; the deputy on duty can explain which forms of payment are accepted and whether a bond requires a judge first.
- Locating someone: call the jail or the Sheriff's Office main line with the person's full name and date of birth.
- Visits, mail and money: the Sheriff's Office sets visiting schedules and rules for mail and commissary deposits; ask for current procedures before visiting.
Juveniles are not held at this jail. A youth who must be detained goes to the county's juvenile detention center, described in the juvenile section below.
5. Public defense in Medina County
Anyone charged with an offense that could lead to jail has a right to a lawyer, and if the person cannot afford one, Medina County provides counsel at public expense. The request is made at the first appearance in the Medina or Wadsworth Municipal Court, or in the Common Pleas Court after indictment.
- The defendant fills out a financial affidavit listing income, assets and household expenses, and the court decides eligibility using state standards.
- Eligible defendants are assigned a public defender or a private attorney from the court's appointed-counsel list. Conflict cases, such as co-defendants, receive separate lawyers.
- Ohio law allows a small application fee, which the court can waive.
- Appointed counsel stays with the case from the municipal court through Common Pleas in most felony cases.
To ask about appointment, contact the Medina Municipal Court at (330) 723-3287, the Wadsworth Municipal Court at (330) 335-1596, or the Common Pleas Court at (330) 725-9131. People who do not qualify can hire a private lawyer; the county bar association runs a lawyer referral service.
6. The Prosecutor, diversion and victims
The elected Medina County Prosecutor presents felony cases to the grand jury, tries them in Common Pleas, and files juvenile delinquency complaints. In the municipal courts, misdemeanors are handled by the law directors of Medina, Brunswick and Wadsworth or by attorneys who prosecute for townships and villages under contract.
Diversion
Medina County prosecutors offer diversion to some first-time defendants, mainly for lower-level, nonviolent offenses. A defendant accepted into diversion typically agrees to conditions such as restitution, community service, counseling or classes, and the charge is dismissed when they are completed. Separately, Ohio's intervention in lieu of conviction statute lets a judge hold a guilty plea in abeyance while a defendant whose crime was driven by drug or alcohol use, or by certain mental health conditions, completes treatment; success leads to dismissal. Ask defense counsel early whether either option fits.
Victims
Marsy's Law, part of the Ohio Constitution since 2017, gives victims the right to notice of hearings, to be present and to be heard at bond, plea and sentencing, and to restitution. The Prosecutor's victim-witness staff guide victims through the Common Pleas process, and the municipal courts work with victim advocates in misdemeanor domestic violence cases.
7. Specialty dockets in Medina County
Specialty dockets, which Ohio certifies through its Supreme Court, replace a standard sentence with intensive supervision, treatment, frequent court check-ins and drug testing. Participants who finish can earn reduced charges, dismissal or shorter supervision.
- Valor Court (Medina Municipal Court): a docket for veterans charged with misdemeanors, connecting participants with veterans' services and mentors.
- Drug and recovery dockets: Medina County courts use treatment-focused dockets for defendants whose offenses are tied to addiction; eligibility is screened through defense counsel and the probation department.
- OVI and mental health approaches: repeat OVI offenders and defendants with serious mental illness may be referred to treatment-based supervision through probation.
Admission is voluntary and usually requires the prosecutor's agreement and a plea. Ask the defense lawyer or the court's probation department which docket, if any, fits the case.
8. Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first OVI, assault, criminal trespass)
Misdemeanors are the most common criminal cases in Medina County, and many come from shopping centers in Brunswick and Medina, traffic on Interstates 71 and 76, and disputes in residential neighborhoods. Officers frequently release people with a citation or summons; custodial arrests are typical for OVI, domestic violence, assault with injury and warrants.
The municipal court process
At arraignment in the Medina or Wadsworth Municipal Court, the defendant learns the charge and maximum penalty and enters a plea. A not guilty plea sends the case to a pretrial conference with the prosecutor, and most cases resolve there. A jury trial requires a written demand; misdemeanor juries in Ohio have eight members and must be unanimous. Speedy-trial limits are 90 days for M1 and M2 charges and 45 days for M3 and M4, measured from arrest or service of summons and extended by defense continuances.
Penalties
- M1: jail of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1,000. Petty theft (under $1,000) and assault are M1 charges.
- M2: jail of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $750.
- M3: jail of up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500.
- M4: jail of up to 30 days and a fine of up to $250. Criminal trespass is generally an M4, aggravated trespass an M1.
- Minor misdemeanor: only a fine, capped at $150.
A first OVI
OVI is one of the most frequent charges in both Medina County municipal courts. A first offense is an M1 with a mandatory minimum of three consecutive days in jail or a 72-hour driver intervention program; the minimum doubles to six days for a test at .17 or above, or for certain refusals combined with a prior refusal or conviction. The fine is $375 to $1,075. An administrative license suspension starts at arrest when a test is failed or refused, and a conviction brings a court suspension of one to three years. Judges commonly grant limited driving privileges, and unlimited privileges with an ignition interlock are possible in some cases. Treatment or an alcohol assessment is a standard condition.
Outcomes and timeline
Possible results include dismissal, diversion, intervention in lieu of conviction, fines and costs, community control supervised by municipal court probation, or jail at the county jail. Most cases take one to four months. Many misdemeanor convictions can later be sealed under Ohio law.
9. Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug trafficking, felonious assault)
Felony cases in Medina County include drug possession and trafficking, burglaries, thefts from businesses and employers, identity fraud and assaults. The case starts in the municipal court for the area where the crime occurred and moves to the Common Pleas Court after indictment.
Key steps
- Initial appearance in the Medina or Wadsworth Municipal Court, usually the next business day: bond, conditions and appointment of counsel.
- Preliminary hearing within 10 consecutive days for a jailed defendant, or 15 for one released, unless waived or overtaken by indictment.
- Grand jury presentation by the Medina County Prosecutor; the alternative is a waiver of indictment and a bill of information.
- Arraignment in the Common Pleas Court at 93 Public Square, followed by discovery.
- Pretrials and plea negotiations, which resolve most cases.
- Trial before 12 jurors whose verdict must be unanimous, or a bench trial on written waiver.
- Sentencing, ordinarily after a presentence investigation by the adult probation department.
Under Ohio law, a felony must go to trial within 270 days of arrest, and each day the defendant is jailed on that charge alone counts as three days. Time is tolled for continuances the defense requests.
Sentencing ranges
- F5: 6 to 12 months. Theft of $1,000 to $7,500 is an F5, and community control is presumed for many first-time nonviolent F4 and F5 offenders.
- F4: 6 to 18 months; theft between $7,500 and $150,000 is an F4.
- F3: 9 to 36 months, or 12 to 60 months for specified offenses. Burglary of a structure where no one is likely present is usually an F3.
- F2: minimum terms of 2 to 8 years. Felonious assault and burglary of an occupied structure with a person likely present are F2 offenses.
- F1: minimum terms of 3 to 11 years.
The Reagan Tokes Law makes sentences for F1 and F2 offenses committed on or after March 22, 2019 indefinite: a minimum term chosen by the judge and a maximum of up to 50 percent more. Drug trafficking may be charged from F5 to F1, depending on the drug, the amount and whether it occurred near a school or juvenile. A firearm specification adds mandatory prison time. Intervention in lieu of conviction remains available for some drug-related felonies.
Timeline
Medina County felony cases commonly take four to twelve months from arrest to resolution, longer if there are suppression motions, lab testing or a trial.
10. Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, aggravated robbery)
Murder, rape and aggravated robbery cases in Medina County begin like other felonies, with an initial appearance in a municipal court, but the Prosecutor usually brings them to the grand jury quickly, and they are tried in the Common Pleas Court on Public Square. Investigations may involve the Sheriff's detectives, city police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the county coroner.
Detention and bond
Bonds in violent cases are typically set very high, and the court must take public safety, the defendant's history and the gravity of the offense into account. For certain serious crimes, prosecutors may ask the court to hold the defendant without bail after a hearing. Defendants who are held stay at the Medina County Jail and are brought to Public Square for hearings.
Penalties
- Aggravated murder: punishable in Medina County by death, life imprisonment without parole, or life with parole eligibility after 20, 25 or 30 years. Death sentences remain legal, though the last Ohio execution took place in 2018.
- Murder: 15 years to life.
- Rape: an F1 sentenced under Reagan Tokes; life imprisonment is possible when the victim was under 13 and the offense involved force or other aggravating circumstances.
- Aggravated robbery: an F1, frequently with a firearm specification that adds mandatory prison time.
Victims and time
Victims have constitutional rights under Marsy's Law to notice, to attend proceedings and to be heard, and the Prosecutor's victim-witness staff work closely with families in these cases. Expect a violent felony to take one to two years or more, given forensic analysis, expert witnesses and extensive pretrial litigation.
11. Juveniles (under 18) arrested in Medina County
In Medina County, juvenile delinquency cases are heard by the Probate and Juvenile Division of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas in Medina. The Medina County Prosecutor files delinquency complaints, and the court's intake department reviews referrals from police departments and schools across the county.
Intake and diversion
Many first-time and lower-level cases are handled unofficially or through diversion. The youth and family meet with intake staff, agree to conditions such as community service, restitution, counseling or a class, and the complaint is closed once the youth completes them. Cases involving serious harm, weapons or repeat conduct proceed formally to an adjudication hearing before a judge or magistrate.
Detention
Medina County operates its own juvenile detention center in Medina, a secure facility of about 30 beds. A youth is held there only when release to a parent is not safe or the youth is likely to flee. A detention hearing must be held promptly, generally within 72 hours or by the next court day, to decide whether the youth stays detained or goes home with conditions such as house arrest or electronic monitoring.
Dispositions
A youth found delinquent may be ordered to probation, community service, restitution, counseling, electronic monitoring or a residential program. For felony-level offenses, the court can commit the youth to the Ohio Department of Youth Services; DYS commitments are generally indefinite, with a minimum term set by the court, and can continue until age 21.
Adult prosecution
Ohio law requires mandatory bindover to adult court for some 16- and 17-year-olds charged with the most serious offenses, such as murder or certain violent felonies, and for some 14- and 15-year-olds in specified situations. In other cases involving youths 14 and older, the Prosecutor can request discretionary bindover, and the judge holds an amenability hearing to decide whether the youth can be rehabilitated in the juvenile system. The court may also proceed with a Serious Youthful Offender case, imposing a juvenile disposition and a stayed adult sentence that can be invoked if the youth reoffends or fails treatment.
Juvenile records are generally confidential, and many can be sealed or expunged; families should ask the court or defense counsel about the timing.
12. Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Medina County
Medina County is in the Eastern Division of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Although Akron is closer to parts of the county, federal court rules assign Medina County cases to Cleveland, so federal criminal matters from the county are generally heard at the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Court House, 801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 357-7000.
Federal versus state
Most crimes in Medina County are prosecuted by the county Prosecutor in state court. A case becomes federal when it violates a federal statute and the U.S. Attorney's Office takes it, typically after an investigation by the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, the Postal Inspection Service or a task force that includes Medina County officers. Common examples are fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking, felon-in-possession firearm cases, online child exploitation, bank robbery, and fraud or identity theft affecting federal programs or interstate commerce. Some conduct can be charged in either system, and federal charges may follow or replace state ones.
The federal players
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio — 801 West Superior Avenue, Suite 400, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 622-3600.
- Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio — main office in downtown Cleveland, with branches in Akron, Youngstown and Toledo; the court also appoints private Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys.
- U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland — Carl B. Stokes U.S. Court House, 801 West Superior Avenue, Suite 1200, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 522-2150.
From arrest to verdict
A federal defendant's first stop is a U.S. magistrate judge in Cleveland, who explains the charges, appoints counsel if needed, and addresses detention. When the government asks for detention, the hearing usually takes place within three court days. Under the Bail Reform Act, the judge either releases the defendant on conditions supervised by U.S. Pretrial Services, such as travel limits, drug testing or location monitoring, or orders detention because no conditions would reasonably assure appearance and community safety. Commercial bail bonds are not used in federal court.
If the case began with a complaint, a grand jury must return an indictment within 30 days. The Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day deadline to begin trial, though motions, complex discovery and agreed continuances commonly extend it. The large majority of federal cases end in guilty pleas, frequently under written plea agreements. At trial, a 12-person jury must reach a unanimous verdict.
Sentencing and after
After a conviction, a U.S. Probation officer prepares a presentence report. The judge calculates the advisory federal Sentencing Guidelines range and considers the statutory sentencing factors, but must impose any mandatory minimum, which is common in drug and firearm cases. The federal system has no parole: prisoners serve about 85 percent of their sentence with good-conduct credit in a Bureau of Prisons facility, then a term of supervised release overseen by U.S. Probation. A Medina County defendant who appeals goes to the Sixth Circuit, which sits in Cincinnati.
Where federal detainees are held
Detained federal defendants are in the custody of the U.S. Marshals, who place them in contract jails in northern Ohio rather than in the Medina County Jail by default. Parents and spouses in Medina can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for a Medina County prisoner via name or register number. Defendants from Medina held pending trial at a Marshals-contract jail might be listed on the jail's register. Federal cases against defendants under 18 are rare.
This Medina County court guide describes typical procedures in general terms and is not legal advice; court locations, bond practices and contact numbers can change without notice. If you have been charged, consult a criminal defense attorney, or request appointed counsel through the Medina Municipal Court at (330) 723-3287, the Wadsworth Municipal Court at (330) 335-1596 or the Common Pleas Court at (330) 725-9131.
Criminal Court Process for Medina County Ohio
Medina 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 Medina 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, Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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, Medina County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina 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.
