Ravenna Address
121 East Main St
Ravenna OH 44266
Ravenna Phone Number 330.296.8000
Medina Address
60 Public Square, Suite 102
Medina OH 44256
Medina Phone Number 330.722.5151

 

The arraignment is normally your first court appearance. It is sometimes done via video if you are in jail.

Most courts will have you watch a brief videotape, which will explain the potential penalties you are facing as well as your rights. It will also explain the various pleas that can be entered.

It is unwise to enter a plea of guilty (or no contest) at this time and throw yourself upon the mercy of the court without knowing what sentence the judge or magistrate will give you.

Your appearance before the judge will be brief. The judge will read the charges to you and ask you how you want to plead.

The judge may also address the issue of bond. The main concern of the judge is whether or not you will appear for future court appearances. Where you live, where you work and whether you have ever missed a court appearance in the past are factors the judge will consider.

  

After your arraignment, most courts schedule your case for a pretrial conference.

Generally, this is where your criminal defense lawyer resolves evidence issues and discusses the case with the prosecutor.

Sometimes this stage will be skipped and the case will be immediately set for Trial. This usually happens when you don't sign a time waiver.

Some cases then proceed to a Motion Hearing (such as a Motion to Suppress etc…), where evidence is challenged and other issues resolved.

Ultimately, the case may be set for a Trial, either to Judge or to Jury. In misdemeanor cases, a demand for jury trial must be timely filed to preserve that right.
 

If you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Portage County, Summit County or Medina County, or elsewhere in Northeast Ohio, contact Attorney Dan Weisenburger right now at 330-296-8000. Attorney Weisenburger routinely defends criminal charges in the following courts:

  • Portage County, Ohio: Ravenna Municipal Court, Kent Municipal Court, Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Portage County Juvenile Court.
  • Summit County, Ohio: Akron Municipal Court, Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court, Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
  • Medina County Ohio: Medina Municipal Court, Wadsworth Municipal Court, Medina Court of Common Pleas.
  • Trumbull County, Ohio: Newton Falls Municipal Court, Warren Municipal Court.
For a list of jurisdictions served by the municipal courts and county courts in Portage County, Medina County, Summit County and Trumbull County, click on the arrow.
All crimes in Ohio are strictly defined by law. For a list of definitions of the most common felony and misdemeanor offenses, click on the arrow.
Disclaimer: The ohiocrimelawyer.com website is designed for general information only. Any information on this site is not to be construed as formal legal advice on criminal or DUI defense, nor formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Persons accessing this site are encouraged to seek personal advice regarding their individual legal issues.
Copyright © 2007 Weisenburger & Gaeckle, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Last Modified: August 18, 2007 11:21 PM