Putnam County Adult Detention Facility

Type her name into Putnam County Inmate Search. A booking that is complete will show the charge and the bail. A person arrested a few minutes ago may take time to show up.

If you need more, call the Sheriff's Office at 419-523-3208 and ask about the Adult Detention Facility.

The Putnam County Adult Detention Facility is at 1035 Heritage Trail, Ottawa, OH 45875. That is also the Sheriff's Office address.

The county holds its own adult prisoners and is not a member of a regional jail.

When police arrest someone without a summons and the person is not released on a signature, the municipal court's rule sets these amounts: first-degree misdemeanor, $3,000; second degree, $2,000; third degree, $1,500; fourth degree, $1,000. These come from Rule 19 of the court's 2024 local rules.

The rule adds that a ten percent bond can be posted only if a judge approves it.

Felonies are left off, and only a judge sets bail on them. So are offenses of violence such as assault, menacing and stalking, and certain offenses against peace officers.

Certain domestic violence charges are excluded as well, including cases with a protection order in force. In those the person must appear before a judge for bail to be set, and the court weighs the factors in R.C. 2919.251(B). Only a judge can waive that appearance, and a no-contact condition applies.

The Clerk may set bail from the schedule during office hours. When the Clerk's office is closed, the Sheriff, a deputy or a police officer holding the person may set and accept it under the schedule. Under the rule, bail is paid only at the courthouse or the county jail.

The Clerk of Courts is at 419-523-3110.

The court and the Clerk's office are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875. The court's phone is 419-523-8735.

The county's courts all share the Government Center building.

Yes. Rule 19 says the jail and the Clerk shall accept credit cards for bail payments, and the card company's added percentage may apply.

A person who waives a court appearance on a ticket pays by certified check or money order, in person, by mail or online. That rule is separate from bail.

The municipal court sets arraignments by weekday. Monday has a 9:00 a.m. jail arraignment and a 1:00 p.m. in-person session. Tuesday and Thursday each have a 9:00 a.m. arraignment, jail and in-person. Wednesday and Friday have a 9:00 a.m. jail-only arraignment.

State law also requires the first bail hearing by the second court day after arrest.

Appendix C of the rules lists bond amounts for common tickets. A driver's seat belt violation is $105, speeding 0 to 10 mph over is $115, 11 to 15 over is $125, 16 to 20 over is $135, and 26 or more over is $175. Driving under suspension, an unclassified misdemeanor, is $225.

A defendant who waives appearance forfeits the bond, and no warrant issues. The charging officer can still require an appearance.

A cash bond is the full amount. A ten percent bond is a deposit of one tenth, and ninety percent comes back once every condition is met. In Putnam County the municipal court allows a ten percent bond only with a judge's approval.

Other forms under Ohio law are an unsecured promise, a surety and real estate or securities.

Licensed by the Ohio Department of Insurance, agents must charge the approved rate, tell you about any expense fee, and may not require a deed or solicit at the jail or courthouse.

The fee is not refunded, even when charges are dropped.

Real estate or securities can serve as security under Ohio law. The owner swears to the property, its liens, other bonds and debts, and the court must find the owner financially responsible for at least the bond amount. The Clerk at 419-523-3110 can say how the court handles the paperwork.

Bail can be denied for a capital offense with strong proof, or a felony with strong proof when the person poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to anyone or to the community.

R.C. 2937.222 requires a hearing and clear and convincing proof, and the accused is entitled to counsel and to cross-examine.

Ask the judge at the arraignment, whether it is held from the jail or in person. The court decides who qualifies and appoints counsel at public cost. The Clerk of Courts at 419-523-3110 can say who takes appointments.

The Probate/Juvenile Court is at 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, phone 419-523-3012. Call it to learn the hearing time and where the youth is held. A juvenile record is private and does not appear on the adult search.

A warrant can issue and the court can start forfeiture. A surety is released by surrendering the defendant or asking for a warrant before the date.

Money from a helper cannot go toward the defendant's costs without that person's express approval.

No court or jail asks for gift cards, crypto or a person-to-person app. Confirm the booking on Putnam County Inmate Search, then call 419-523-3208 or 419-523-3110 yourself.

• Jail: Putnam County Adult Detention Facility, 1035 Heritage Trail, Ottawa, OH 45875; Sheriff's Office 419-523-3208
• Custody lookup: Putnam County Inmate Search
• Municipal Court: 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875; 419-523-8735; Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Clerk of Courts: 419-523-3110
• Probate/Juvenile Court: 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875; 419-523-3012
• Bond help: Putnam County bail and bond pages

Putnam County hours, fees and phone numbers can change, and the judge may set an amount that departs from the court's schedule. Check with the Clerk before paying. This page is a general overview and is not legal advice.

Putnam County is a farming county in northwest Ohio with its county seat in Ottawa. The Putnam County Municipal Court, in the Ottawa courthouse, has jurisdiction across the whole county for misdemeanors, OVI and traffic charges and for the early stage of felony cases, and Columbus Grove holds a mayor's court for its own tickets. Felonies are tried in the Putnam County Court of Common Pleas. The elected Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney handles felony and juvenile prosecutions, and adults held after arrest are kept in the Sheriff's Putnam County Jail on Heritage Trail.

• Putnam County Court of Common Pleas, Putnam County Courthouse, 245 E. Main Street, Suite 301, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3110
• Putnam County Municipal Court, Putnam County Courthouse, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3110
• Putnam County Probate and Juvenile Court, Putnam County Courthouse, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3012
• Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney, 336 E. Main Street, Suite B, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3600
• Putnam County Jail (Putnam County Sheriff's Office), 1035 Heritage Trail, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3208
• Public defense: Ohio Public Defender, Northwest Regional Hub trial office (serving Putnam, Allen and Hardin counties), (567) 242-2788

Which court hears your case. In Putnam County, every misdemeanor, OVI and traffic case, whether from Ottawa, Leipsic, Kalida, Ottoville, Pandora or a county road, is filed in the Putnam County Municipal Court, which state law gives jurisdiction over the entire county; there is no separate county court. The one exception is Columbus Grove, whose police can send village ordinance and traffic tickets to the Columbus Grove Mayor's Court, a court with no jury that must transfer the case to the municipal court if the defendant asks. Felony charges also start in the municipal court, which conducts the initial appearance, sets bond and holds any preliminary hearing. After the grand jury indicts, or the defendant waives indictment and proceeds on a bill of information, the case moves to the Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Appeals from Putnam County go to the Third District Court of Appeals.

Where pretrial detainees are held. The Putnam County Sheriff runs the county jail at 1035 Heritage Trail on the edge of Ottawa. Arrests by the Sheriff, the Highway Patrol and the village police departments are booked there, and pretrial detainees stay until they post bond or the court releases them. For custody or bond information, call (419) 523-3208.

Putnam County's former county court has been replaced by a countywide municipal court, so local criminal cases now go to just two places.

Municipal court

• Putnam County Municipal Court — Putnam County Courthouse, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, (419) 523-3110. Jurisdiction: all of Putnam County, including Ottawa, Columbus Grove, Leipsic, Kalida, Ottoville, Pandora, Fort Jennings, Continental, Glandorf, Miller City, Cloverdale, Dupont, Belmore, Gilboa and every township.

County courts

None. The municipal court's countywide territory replaced the former county court.

Mayor's courts

• Columbus Grove Mayor's Court — 113 E. Sycamore Street, Columbus Grove, OH 45830, (419) 659-2365

The Columbus Grove court handles a relatively small number of village ordinance and traffic cases each year. A defendant there can enter a plea or have a bench trial before the mayor or magistrate; a jury request, or a charge outside the mayor's court's authority, sends the case to the municipal court in Ottawa.

Most misdemeanor defendants in Putnam County receive a citation and a court date rather than a jail stay. OVI drivers, people arrested after a domestic dispute and anyone with a warrant are more likely to be booked on Heritage Trail. Where the court's bond schedule applies, they can post bond at the jail; otherwise they stay in custody until the municipal judge sets conditions, usually the next court day.

Municipal court steps

The process opens with an arraignment, at which the judge reads the charge, explains rights and possible penalties, and asks for a plea. A defendant who could go to jail and cannot pay a lawyer may ask for appointed counsel; the Ohio Public Defender's Northwest Regional Hub provides trial representation in Putnam County, and eligibility is based on a financial affidavit, with a possible small application fee. If the plea is not guilty, the case is set for a pretrial conference with the prosecutor. A jury of eight, which must be unanimous, is available only if the defense demands it in writing; otherwise the judge decides. The state must try an M1 or M2 within 90 days and an M3 or M4 within 45 days, and days in jail on the charge are counted triple.

Penalties

• M1: up to 180 days, up to $1,000 (assault; theft below $1,000).
• M2: up to 90 days, up to $750.
• M3: up to 60 days, up to $500.
• M4: up to 30 days, up to $250 (the usual level for criminal trespass; aggravated trespass is an M1).
• Minor misdemeanor: no jail, fine of $150 or less.

A first OVI

First-offense OVI is an M1. Putnam County judges must order at least three consecutive days in jail or in a 72-hour driver intervention program, or at least six days with a test of .17 or higher or certain refusal histories. Fines for a first OVI here run $375 to $1,075. An administrative suspension can begin at the time of arrest, and conviction carries a court suspension of one to three years. Limited driving privileges are often granted, and unlimited privileges with an ignition interlock are allowed in some cases. Treatment, if an assessment recommends it, is commonly required.

Putnam misdemeanors may be dismissed, diverted, resolved through intervention in lieu of conviction or sentenced with fines, community control or jail. One to four months is typical, and records can frequently be sealed later.

Because the municipal court and the Common Pleas Court share the Putnam County Courthouse, a felony case usually changes courtrooms rather than buildings when it is indicted.

In the municipal court

After a felony arrest, the municipal judge sets bond at the initial appearance, usually held the next court day. Ohio's constitution requires the judge to consider public safety, the defendant's record, the seriousness of the offense and the likelihood of appearance. Options include recognizance, a 10 percent deposit, and cash or surety bonds, which bail bond companies may post. The preliminary hearing must be held within 10 days for a jailed defendant or 15 days for one who is free, unless the grand jury indicts first.

In the Common Pleas Court

The Prosecuting Attorney presents the case to a Putnam County grand jury, or the defendant waives indictment and proceeds on a bill of information. Arraignment in Common Pleas follows, then discovery, pretrial conferences and motions. Ohio's speedy-trial law requires trial within 270 days of arrest, counting each day in jail on the charge as three. Most cases are resolved by plea; if the case is tried, a 12-member jury must agree unanimously. The court generally orders a presentence investigation before sentencing.

Degrees and penalties

• F5: 6 to 12 months. Example: theft of $1,000–$7,500. First-time nonviolent offenders at this level and F4 are often presumed eligible for community control.
• F4: 6 to 18 months. Example: theft of $7,500–$150,000.
• F3: 9 to 36 months, or 12 to 60 months for certain offenses. Example: burglary when nobody is likely to be present.
• F2: 2 to 8 years. Examples: felonious assault; burglary of an occupied home when a person is likely present.
• F1: 3 to 11 years. Example: aggravated burglary.

For F1 and F2 offenses committed on or after March 22, 2019, the Reagan Tokes Law imposes an indefinite sentence, with a maximum up to half again as long as the minimum. Drug trafficking charges range from F5 to F1 depending on the drug and amount, and firearm specifications add mandatory prison time. Intervention in lieu of conviction is an option for some substance-related offenses. Felony cases in Putnam County usually run four months to a year.

Violent felonies are uncommon in Putnam County. When they occur, the Prosecuting Attorney's office takes them to the grand jury quickly, and the court generally sets a high bond or holds the defendant without bail at the state's request.

Aggravated murder is punishable by life with parole eligibility after 20, 25 or 30 years, life without parole, or death; Ohio retains the death penalty, but no executions have been carried out since 2018. Murder brings 15 years to life. Rape is an F1 with an indefinite Reagan Tokes sentence, and life terms are possible in some cases with victims under 13. Aggravated robbery is also an F1, typically with additional mandatory time if a firearm specification is attached.

Victims are entitled under Marsy's Law to receive notice, attend court and be heard, and the Prosecuting Attorney's victim services staff can help. Forensic work and expert testimony mean these cases often take one to two years.

Juvenile delinquency cases are heard by the Putnam County Probate and Juvenile Court in the courthouse at 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, (419) 523-3012. Complaints are filed by the Prosecuting Attorney, and the court's intake process decides whether a case can be handled unofficially, for example through diversion with community service, restitution or counseling, or must be filed as an official case.

Detention. Most youths are released to a parent. Putnam County does not operate its own juvenile detention facility; a youth who must be held is typically transported to a juvenile detention center elsewhere in northwest Ohio that accepts Putnam County youths, and the juvenile court can tell parents which one. A detention hearing is held promptly, generally within 72 hours or by the next court day.

Outcomes. A youth found delinquent may receive probation, community service, counseling, monitoring or, for felony-level offenses, commitment to the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS). Ohio requires mandatory bindover to adult court for some 16- and 17-year-olds, and in narrower cases 14- and 15-year-olds, charged with the most serious crimes; a judge may also order a discretionary bindover for a youth 14 or older after an amenability hearing. For certain serious offenses the court can impose a Serious Youthful Offender sentence, which pairs a juvenile disposition with an adult sentence that is stayed.

The youth has a right to an attorney, appointed if necessary. Records of Putnam County juvenile cases are generally confidential, and sealing is often available.

District and courthouse

Putnam County is part of the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division. Although federal law lists both Lima and Toledo as places of holding court for that division, the district's local rule assigns Putnam County to Toledo, so its federal cases are generally heard at the James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse, 1716 Spielbusch Avenue, Toledo, OH 43604; Clerk's Office (419) 213-5500.

Federal offices

• U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Ohio: branch office in Toledo; main office 801 W. Superior Avenue, Suite 400, Cleveland, OH 44113, (216) 622-3600
• Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio: branch office in Toledo; CJA panel attorneys are also appointed
• U.S. Marshals Service, Ashley U.S. Courthouse, 1716 Spielbusch Avenue, Suite 313A, Toledo, OH 43604, (419) 376-3094

What makes a case federal

A federal case begins when an agency such as the FBI, DEA, ATF or HSI investigates a violation of federal law and the U.S. Attorney files charges. In a county like Putnam, that might be methamphetamine or fentanyl distribution, a firearm possessed by a person with a felony record, child exploitation online, or fraud involving federal farm, benefit or loan programs.

How federal cases proceed

A magistrate judge in Toledo holds the initial appearance and appoints counsel for eligible defendants. When the government seeks detention, the hearing is usually held within three court days, and the Bail Reform Act requires the judge to choose release on conditions monitored by U.S. Pretrial Services or detention before trial. An indictment must be returned within 30 days of arrest on a complaint, and the Speedy Trial Act sets a 70-day deadline for trial that is commonly extended. Plea agreements resolve most cases; a federal jury has 12 members and must be unanimous. U.S. Probation prepares a presentence report, the judge considers the advisory Sentencing Guidelines, and mandatory minimums apply where the statute requires. There is no federal parole, so defendants serve about 85 percent of their sentences in the Bureau of Prisons and then supervised release. Appeals are heard by the Sixth Circuit.

Detention

A Putnam County resident held on a federal charge is a U.S. Marshals prisoner, placed in jails and detention facilities under contract; family members near Ottawa can search the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator for someone from Putnam County using a name or register number. Putnam County prisoners awaiting trial in a county contract jail can be listed on its posted roster. Federal charges against juveniles are rare.

This page offers general information about criminal cases in Putnam County and is not legal advice; court practices in Ottawa can change. Anyone charged with a crime should speak with a defense lawyer or contact the Ohio Public Defender's Northwest Regional Hub at (567) 242-2788; the courts in Ottawa can be reached at (419) 523-3110.