Summit County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Summit County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Summit County.
Jury by Trial Right
The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.
I need help for my Summit County criminal case
The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Summit County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Summit County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.
Summit County Criminal Court
Jury Deliberation
In a jury trial in Summit County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.
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.
Appealing a guilty verdict
A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.
What is the Burden of Proof?
The term “Burden of Proof” means that the prosecutor is required to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot provide proof of the defendants guilt, then the judge or jury in a trial must find the defendant not guilty. In the United States the principle innocent until proven guilty derives from this that the defendant is assumed innocent and the prosecution has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.
Summit County Criminal Court hearings
Criminal hearings in Summit County will take place at the Summit County Criminal Courts. Please see here for a list of the Summit County Criminal Court Locations.
Summit County Required Court Appearances
In Summit County, there are both required and non-required court appearances for the defendant. At a required or mandatory appearance hearing, the defendant is required to appear in person before the court. Failing to appear at your required hearing may result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest by the judge.
Sentencing in Summit County
In Summit County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.
Summit County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Summit County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Summit County. The Summit 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.
What happens in Summit County at an arraignment?
In Summit 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.
The Right to Counsel
The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.
Summit County Criminal Court Locations
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Summit County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations Division
Address: 205 S High St, Akron OH 44308
Phone: 330-643-2211 Fax: 330-643-7738 -
Summit County Court of Common Pleas – General Division
Address: 205 S High St, Akron OH 44308
Phone: 330-643-2211 Fax: 330-643-7737 (Civil) Fax: 330-643-7772 (Criminal) -
Summit County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division
Address: 650 Dan St, Akron OH 44310
Phone: 330-643-2900 Fax: 330-643-2894 -
Summit County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division
Address: 209 S High St, Akron OH 44308
Phone: 330-643-2350 Fax: 330-643-2393 -
Akron Municipal Court
Address: 217 S High St, Akron OH 44308
Phone: 330-375-2920 (Civil) 330-375-2920 (Small Claims) -
Barberton Municipal Court
Address: 576 W Park Ave, Barberton OH 44203
Phone: 330-861-7191 (Traffic) Phone: 330-861-7196 (Parking) -
Stow Municipal Court
Address: 4400 Courthouse Dr, Stow OH 44224
Phone: 330-564-4200 Fax: 330-564-4193 -
Boston Heights Mayor’s Court
Address: Phone: 330-650-4111, x200 Fax: 330-655-9578
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Cuyahoga Falls Mayor’s Court
Address: 2310 Second St, Cuyahoga Falls OH 44221
Phone: 330-971-5650 Fax: 330-971-5653 -
Fairlawn Mayor’s Court
Address: 3487 S Smith Rd, Fairlawn OH 44333
Phone: 330-668-9505 Fax: 330-668-9559 -
Macedonia Mayor’s Court
Address: 9691 Valley View Road, Macedonia OH 44056
Phone: 330-468-8379 Fax: 330-468-8398 -
Munroe Falls Mayor’s Court
Address: 43 Munroe Falls Ave, Munroe Falls OH 44262
Phone: 330-688-7494 Fax: 330-686-3601 -
Northfield Mayor’s Court
Address: Phone: 330-467-7139, x12 Fax: 330-468-2518
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Norton Mayor’s Court
Address: Phone: 330-825-7815, x313
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Richfield Mayor’s Court
Address: Phone: 330-659-9201, x221 Fax: 330-659-9631