Criminal Defense Attorney – Westerville, Ohio

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Westerville, Ohio, it is important that you hire legal counsel. Contact Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC at (614) 987-0192 to review your case and discuss with you how to proceed. As an experienced and dedicated Westerville, Ohio criminal defense attorney, he will be with you at your first court appearance (called an “arraignment”) and attempt to have the case dismissed. In the event that the charges are not dropped, a pretrial hearing will be conducted.

Depending on what the charge is, and where it will be heard, negotiations will begin with the prosecutor and evidence will be gathered to support your defense. If negotiations fail to produce a favorable plea agreement, or you decline to accept the plea agreement, your case will be set for trial. At trial, Attorney Johnson will vigorously defend you. However, if you are found guilty, Attorney Johnson will seek all avenues available that will allow you to avoid jail or prison.

Westerville, Ohio – Where Will Your Case Be Heard?

Misdemeanor offenses in Westerville, Ohio are heard either in Westerville Mayor’s Court or Franklin County Municipal Court. For a felony offense, the charge will be filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

What Types of Cases Does Westerville Ohio Mayor’s Court Handle?

Westerville, Ohio has its own set of ordinances that describe crimes and penalties if you are convicted of a criminal offense. Below are several examples of common criminal offenses in Westerville, Ohio:

• Possession of Marijuana
• Drug Abuse Instruments
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI / OVI)
• Disorderly Conduct
• Obstructing Official Business

Where is the Westerville, Ohio Mayor’s Court Located?
Westerville Mayor’s Court is located at 21 S. State St., Westerville, Ohio, 43081. Refer to the map below for further directions.

When are Westerville Mayor’s Court Hearings Held?
The Westerville Mayor’s Court is in session every Wednesday at 9:00 AM, with criminal arraignments and pretrials being held first. Trials are held after, generally beginning around 10:00 AM.

How Do Mayor’s Courts Differ from Municipal Courts?
Mayor’s courts are unique in that they not permitted to conduct jury trials. Additionally, cases are heard by either the mayor or a magistrate appointed by the mayor. If a defendant wishes to have a jury trial, or simply does not want the mayor’s court to hear his or her case, the defendant can have the case transferred to the applicable county municipal court. In addition, if a defendant is convicted in a mayor’s court, he or she may appeal the conviction to the appropriate county municipal court.

There are advantages to having your case heard in a mayor’s court. For instance, mayor’s courts are more informal than municipal courts. Moreover, mayor’s courts are more conveniently located than a county municipal court and many provide evening hours for the hearing of cases.

Westerville, Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Westerville, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Westerville, Ohio criminal defense attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in fighting the charges. Call (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your criminal case. For further information, consult Johnson Legal, LLC’s Criminal Defense Blog.