Cuyahoga County Criminal Court

Cuyahoga County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Cuyahoga County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Cuyahoga County.

Required Court Appearances in Cuyahoga County

Any required court appearances in Cuyahoga County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

The Right to Trial by Jury

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.

Cuyahoga County Criminal Court

Cuyahoga County Criminal Court

Appealing a Criminal Conviciton

A defendant may appeal a criminal conviction to an appellate court. In an appeal, the actual trial is not redone, but the appellate court hears arguments that the criminal case was not handled in a legal manner at the original criminal court. The appellate court can either uphold the conviction, or determine that errors were made and may request a retrial, a resentencing of the defendant or that the charges be dismissed.

Where can I get help for my Cuyahoga County criminal case?

The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution provides a criminal defendant with the right to an attorney. As read in the miranda rights, this means that if a defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney a legal attorney will be appointed to the defendant to represent him at no cost to the defendant. This is often a public defender. In addition, the court clerk for Cuyahoga County will also be able to provide general information about a specific criminal case. The clerk can only provide information and is not an attorney so they cannot provide legal advice, only a licensed attorney can provide legal advice about what the best options for are for your particular case.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is a Plea Agreement?

A plea agreement is a deal made between the prosecution and the defendant in a case, where the defendant agrees to plea guilty to a particular charge in exchange for some concession from the prosecutor. In practice, more than 90% of criminal cases end with a plea agreement.

What is Jury Deliberation?

After both the prosecution and defense have presented their cases, the judge in the case will provide instructions to the jury about what they must decide. The jury will be dismissed to the jury room where they will deliberate about the guilt or innocence of the defendant. After reaching a unaminous decision, they return their decision to the court where it is read aloud in the courtroom. If the jury is unable to reach a unaminous decision, the jury is deadlocked, also known as a hung jury, in which a mistrial will be declared.

Where will Cuyahoga County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Cuyahoga County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Cuyahoga County.

What happens in Cuyahoga County at an arraignment?

In Cuyahoga County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.

Right to an attorney

The US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment ensures the right to an attorney regardless of whether or not you can afford one. In Cuyahoga County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

For criminal cases in Cuyahoga County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Cuyahoga County. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor reviews all evidence and ultimately decides whether to file or dismiss charges in the case. Most of the time, the prosecutor has leeway in plea negotiations and determines how the case will be prosecuted.

Defendant Sentencing

At a sentence hearing the judge will inform the defendant of the sentence that will be imposed. This sometimes occurs at the same hearing in which the defendant is found guilty (either by trial or plea agreement). In can also occur at a later date, most often this is due to the complexity of the case where more time is needed to determine the appropriate sentence.

Cuyahoga County Criminal Court Locations

  • Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations Division

    Address: 1 W Lakeside Ave, #35, Cleveland OH 44113
    Phone: 216-443-7955

  • Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas – General Division

    Address: 1200 Ontario St, Cleveland OH 44113
    Phone: 216-443-7950 (Civil)

  • Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division

    Address: 9300 Quincy Ave, Cleveland OH 44106
    Phone: 216-443-8400

  • Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division

    Address: 1 W Lakeside Ave, Cleveland OH 44113
    Phone: 216-443-8764

  • Bedford Municipal Court

    Address: 165 Center Rd, Bedford OH 44146
    Phone: 440-232-3420 Fax: 440-232-2510

  • Berea Municipal Court

    Address: 11 Berea Commons, Berea OH 44017
    Phone: 440-826-5860 Fax: 440-891-3387

  • Cleveland Heights Municipal Court

    Address: 40 Severance Circle, Cleveland Heights OH 44118
    Phone: 216-291-4901 Fax: 216-291-2459

  • Cleveland Municipal Court

    Address: 1200 Ontario St, Cleveland OH 44113
    Phone: 216-664-4870 (Civil) Phone: 216-664-4790 (Criminal)

  • East Cleveland Municipal Court

    Address: 14340 Euclid Ave, East Cleveland OH 44112
    Phone: 216-451-5900 Fax: 216-681-2829

  • Euclid Municipal Court

    Address: 555 E 222nd St, Euclid OH 44123
    Phone: 216-289-2888 Fax: 216-289-8254

  • Garfield Heights Municipal Court

    Address: 5555 Turney Rd, Garfield Heights OH 44125
    Phone: 216-475-1900 Fax: 216-475-3087

  • Lakewood Municipal Court

    Address: 12650 Detroit Ave, Lakewood OH 44107
    Phone: 216-529-6700 Fax: 216-529-7687

  • Lyndhurst Municipal Court

    Address: 5301 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst OH 44124
    Phone: 440-461-6500 Fax: 440-442-1910

  • Parma Municipal Court

    Address: 5555 Powers Blvd, Parma OH 44134
    Phone: 440-887-7400 Fax: 440-887-7481

  • Rocky River Municipal Court

    Address: 21012 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River OH 44116
    Phone: 440-333-0066 Fax: 440-356-5613

  • Shaker Heights Municipal Court

    Address: 3355 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights OH 44120
    Phone: 216-491-1300 Fax: 216-491-1314

  • South Euclid Municipal Court

    Address: 1349 S Green Rd, South Euclid OH 44121
    Phone: 216-381-2880 Fax: 216-381-1195

  • Beachwood Mayor’s Court

    Address: 2700 Richmond Road, Beachwood OH 44122
    Phone: 216-464-2343 Fax: 216-292-1954

  • Bratenahl Mayor’s Court

    Address: 411 Bratenahl Rd, Bratenahl OH 44108
    216-681-3086 Fax: 216-681-3078

  • Brecksville Mayor’s Court

    Address: 9069 Brecksville Road, Brecksville OH 44141
    Phone: 440-526-2620 Fax: 440-717-2120

  • Broadview Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: 9543 Broadview Rd, Broadview Heights OH 44147
    Phone: 440-526-4895 Fax: 440-717-4002

  • Brook Park Mayor’s Court

    Address: 6161 Engle Rd, Brook Park OH 44142
    Phone: 216-433-7061 Fax: 216-433-4183

  • Brooklyn Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: 345 Tuxedo Ave, Brooklyn Heights OH 44131
    Phone: 216-749-4300 Fax: 216-741-3753

  • Brooklyn Mayor’s Court

    Address: 7619 Memphis Ave, Brooklyn OH 44144
    Phone: 216-635-4255 Fax: 216-635-4287

  • Chagrin Falls Mayor’s Court

    Address: 21 W Washington St, Chagrin Falls OH 44022
    Phone: 440-247-7321 Fax: 440-247-1037

  • Cuyahoga Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: 4863 E 71st St, Cuyahoga Heights OH 44125
    Phone: 216-641-7020

  • Glenwillow Mayor’s Court

    Address: 29555 Pettibone Rd, Glenwillow OH 44139
    Phone: 440-232-8788 Fax: 440-735-9298

  • Highland Hills Mayor’s Court

    Address: Phone: 216-283-3000, x233 Fax: 216-283-3005

  • Independence Mayor’s Court

    Address: 6800 Brecksville Rd, Independence OH 44131
    Phone: 216-524-7719 Fax: 216-524-3878

  • Maple Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: 5353 Lee Rd, Maple Heights OH 44137
    Phone: 216-587-9006 Fax: 216-587-9047

  • Middleburg Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: 15700 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights OH 44130
    Phone: 440-234-6907 Fax: 440-234-7095

  • Newburgh Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: Phone: 216-641-4650, x2160 Fax: 216-641-2712

  • North Olmstead Mayor’s Court

    Address: 5200 Dover Center Rd, North Olmsted OH 44070
    Phone: 440-716-4156 Fax: 440-777-8007

  • North Randall Mayor’s Court

    Address: Phone: 215-518-3130, x230 Fax: 216-662-8749

  • North Royalton Mayor’s Court

    Address: 14000 Bennett Road, North Royalton OH 44133
    Phone: 440-582-6224 Fax: 440-582-1914

  • Oakwood Mayor’s Court

    Address: 24800 Broadway Ave, Oakwood Village OH 44146
    Phone: 440-232-4151 Fax: 440-232-6728

  • Olmstead Falls Mayor’s Court

    Address: 26100 Bagley Rd, Olmsted Falls OH 44138
    Phone: 440-235-5552

  • Orange Mayor’s Court

    Address: 4600 Lander Road, Orange, OH 44022
    Phone: 440-498-4401 Fax: 440-498-4412

  • Parma Heights Mayor’s Court

    Address: Phone: 440-884-9600, x43 Fax: 440-842-3055

  • Seven Hills Mayor’s Court

    Address: 7325 Summitview Dr, Seven Hills OH 44131
    Phone: 216-524-4421 Fax: 216-524-0523

  • Strongsville Mayor’s Court

    Address: 18688 Royalton Rd, Strongsville OH 44136
    Phone: 440-580-3155 Fax: 440-238-8458

  • Valley View Mayor’s Court

    Address: 6848 Hathaway Rd, Valley View OH 44125
    Phone: 216-524-9687 Fax: 216-524-9254

  • Walton Hills Mayor’s Court

    Address: 7595 Walton Rd, Walton Hills OH 44146
    Phone: 440-786-2963

  • Woodmere Mayor’s Court

    Address: 27899 Chagrin Blvd, Woodmere OH 44122
    Phone: 216-831-3432 Fax: 216-292-4109

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