Warren County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Warren County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Warren County.
I need help for my Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren 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.
Plea Agreements
A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Warren County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.
Warren County Criminal Court
Sentencing in Warren County
In Warren 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.
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 Warren County criminal case hearings take place?
Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Warren County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Warren County.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warren County Prosecutor
For criminal cases in Warren County, the prosecutor will be a representative of Warren County. The Warren 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.
Warren County Required Court Appearances
In Warren 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.
What happens in Warren County at an arraignment?
In Warren 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.
Warren County Criminal Court Locations
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Warren County Court of Common Pleas – General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Address: 500 Justice Dr, PO Box 238, Lebanon OH 45036
Phone: 513-695-1120 Fax: 513-695-2965 -
Warren County Court of Common Pleas – Probate and Juvenile Division
Address: 570 Justice Dr, Lebanon OH 45036
Phone: 513-695-1180 (Probate) Fax: 513-695-2945 -
Warren County Court
Address: 550 Justice Dr, Lebanon OH 45036
Phone: 513-695-1370 Fax: 513-695-2990 -
Franklin Municipal Court
Address: 1 Benjamin Franklin Way, PO Box 292, Franklin OH 45005
Phone: 937-746-2858 Fax: 937-743-7751 -
Lebanon Municipal Court
Address: 50 S Broadway, Lebanon OH 45036
Phone: 513-933-7210 Fax: 513-933-7212 -
Mason Municipal Court
Address: 5950 Mason Montgomery Rd, Mason OH 45040
Phone: 513-398-7901 Fax: 513-459-8085 -
Carlisle Mayor’s Court
Address: 760 W Central Ave, Carlisle OH 45005
Phone: 937-746-2719 Fax: 937-746-3958 -
Harveysburg Mayor’s Court
Address: 79 W Main St, PO Box 189, Harveysburg OH 45032
Phone: 513-897-3998 Fax: 513-897-3997 -
Maineville Mayor’s Court
Address: Phone: 513-583-8202, x202 Fax: 513-583-0051
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Morrow Mayor’s Court
Address: 150 E Pike St, Morrow OH 45152
Phone: 513-899-2821 Fax: 513-899-3170 -
South Lebanon Mayor’s Court
Address: 99 N High St, South Lebanon OH 45065
Phone: 513-494-2296 Fax: 513-494-1656 -
Springboro Mayor’s Court
Address: 320 W Central Ave, Springboro OH 45066
Phone: 937-748-4366 -
Waynesville Mayor’s Court
Address: 1400 Lytle Rd, Waynesville OH 45068
Phone: 513-897-8020 Fax: 513-897-2015