Criminal Division

You may call or visit the criminal division during the office hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday and Thursdays at 7:00 PM. The phone number is (419) 294-3800 option # 1.

Criminal cases heard in this court range from minor misdemeanors, which are not appearance required, up to first degree misdemeanors which are punishable up to 6 months in the Wyandot County Jail and up to a $1,000.00 fine. Offenses which carry a greater penalty, a felony charge, may be handled initially in this court. If probable cause is found in these type cases, they will be bound over to the Wyandot County Common Pleas Court for final disposition.

Upon payment of a waiverable offense, your case will be considered complete.

When your appearance is required, report to the Clerk’s office on the date and time assigned to your case. You will be asked to sign in and then taken into the courtroom by our Bailiff. When court begins, the Judge will advise you of your rights and the pleas available to you: guilty, no contest, not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.

• 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 an admission of the facts alleged in the complaint or traffic citation. A plea of no contest or the admission resulting therefrom shall not be used against you in any other subsequent civil or criminal proceedings. Upon a plea of guilty or no contest the case will be disposed of immediately, based on the complaint, the written statement left by the arresting officer and your own statement in mitigation or in explanation of the circumstances.
• Not Guilty:You deny that you are guilty of the violation and desire a trial. Trial is set for a later date at which time you may bring witnesses with you. You may testify on your own behalf. You have the right of Compulsory Process, the use of the courts subpoena power to compel witnesses and/or documents to appear on your behalf. The State must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: A written plea of denial of legal guilt due to disease or defect of mind so as to remove legal culpability for act.

If you cannot afford an attorney and your offense carries possible jail time, you may request a court appointed attorney. Upon a hearing and a finding of indigency the Court will appoint an attorney to represent you. As of September 29, 2005, Ohio law requires all persons appointed a court-appointed attorney pay a $25.00 application fee.