Wood County Criminal Court handles all criminal cases that are filed in Wood County. See below for more information about criminal cases in Wood County.
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.
Where can I get help for my Wood 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 Wood 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.
Wood County Criminal Court
If guilty, who sentences the defendant?
If the defendant is found guilty after the trial, the defendent will be sentenced. In some cases, this can occur at the same hearing the defendant is found guilty in court, in other cases a separate hearing will be required. Often the prosecution will request a particular sentence for the defendant and the judge will determine whether to enforce this sentence or impose a different sentence for the defendant.
Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.
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 Wood 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.
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 Wood County a public defender will be appointed by the judge if you cannot afford private representation.
Wood County Criminal Court locations
Criminal proceedings take place in the Wood County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.
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.
Wood County Arraignments
An arraignment is a court hearing. In Wood County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Wood County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Wood County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.
Wood County Required Court Appearances
In Wood 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 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.
Prosecutor in Wood County
In Wood County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Wood County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent Ohio. For the most part, the prosecutor in Wood County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.
Wood County Criminal Court Locations
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Wood County Court of Common Pleas – General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Address: 1 Courthouse Square, Bowling Green OH 43402
Phone: 419-354-9280 Fax: 419-354-9241 -
Wood County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division
Address: 1032 S Dunbridge Rd, Bowling Green OH 43402
Phone: 419-352-3554 Fax: 419-352-6084 -
Wood County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division
Address: 1 Courthouse Square, Bowling Green OH 43402
Phone: 419-354-9230 Fax: 419-354-9357 -
Bowling Green Municipal Court
Address: 711 S Dunbridge Rd, Bowling Green OH 43402
Phone: 419-352-5263 Fax: 419-352-9407 -
Perrysburg Municipal Court
Address: 300 Walnut St, Perrysburg OH 43551
Phone: 419-872-7900 Fax: 419-872-7905 -
Bradner Mayor’s Court
Address: 130 N Main St, Bradner OH 43406
Phone: 419-288-2890 -
Haskins Mayor’s Court
Address: 100 N Church St, PO Box 182, Haskins OH 43525
Phone: 419-823-1911 Fax: 419-823-1120 -
North Baltimore Mayor’s Court
Address: 205 N Main St, North Baltimore OH 45872
Phone: 419-257-2394 Fax: 419-257-2457 -
Northwood Mayor’s Court
Address: 6000 Wales Rd, Northwood OH 43619
Phone: 419-693-9325 Fax: 419-697-3296 -
Risingsun Mayor’s Court
Address: 420 Main Street, Risingsun OH 43457
Phone: 419-457-4435 -
Walbridge Mayor’s Court
Address: 111 N Main St, Walbridge OH 43465
Phone: 419-666-1830 Fax: 419-661-8458 -
Wayne Mayor’s Court
Address: 125 Schoolhouse St, Wayne OH 43466
Phone: 419-288-3075