What to do When You Appear

Report to the Clerk's office and check in by properly identifying yourself.

In Court

When Court begins, the Judge will advise you of your rights and the pleas available to you:

• Guilty
• No Contest
• Not Guilty

Guilty or No Contest

Guilty

A plea of guilty is a complete admission of your guilt.

No Contest

A plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission of the facts alleged in the Complaint or Ticket and such a plea shall not be used against you in any subsequent civil or criminal proceedings.

If you plead Guilty or No Contest, it is likely you will be sentenced immediately. If there are any Community Control Sanctions ordered, the Probation Department will set up these conditions with you at this time. You will then go to the Clerk's Office to set up any jail time and/or pay court costs.

Not Guilty

A plea of not guilty is a denial of the allegation contained in the Complaint or Ticket. You will be given a notice of the date and time to return to the Court for a pretrial or trial.

Court Appointed Attorney

If you are charged with a jailable offense, and do not have money for an attorney, you may request to have an attorney appointed to you. As of September 29, 2005, Ohio Law requires all persons requesting a court-appointed attorney to pay a $25.00 application fee.