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Franklin County Court of Common Pleas

Misdemeanor criminal offenses may be heard in municipal, county, or mayors’ courts in Ohio, but common pleas courts have jurisdiction to hear all criminal felony cases that occur within their respective county limits. The jurisdiction is a major difference because this cannot be changed for a common pleas court without a constitutional amendment while the other three types of courts can have their jurisdictions regulated by statute.

Every county, including Franklin County, has a common pleas court, and many have separate domestic relations, juvenile, and probate divisions. The types of cases that are referred to a common pleas court are generally serious matters that may involve significant penalties, including heavy fines and terms of imprisonment.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Lawyer

Do you have a case that is set to be heard in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas? It is in your best interest to make sure that you have skilled and knowledgeable legal counsel.

Award-winning Franklin County Court of Common Pleas attorney Brian Joslyn of Joslyn Law Firm is licensed to practice in all 88 common pleas courts in the Buckeye State. He will give you an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call right now to take advantage of a free consultation.

Common Pleas Court Process in Columbus

The jurisdiction and powers of common pleas courts are established under Ohio Constitution Article IV § 4. These courts may hear matters relating to business, personal injury, or real estate, but they also hear all criminal felony cases.

Some of the most common felony cases these courts handle include, but are not limited to:

• Domestic Violence
• Drug Trafficking
• Grand Theft
• Kidnapping / Abduction
• Murder / Homicide
• Rape
• Robbery
• Unlawful Sexual Conduct with Minor

Depending on the specific criminal charges involved, a felony prosecution can begin with the filing of a grand jury indictment or the filing of an information by the Ohio Attorney General or the county’s prosecutor. If an alleged offender is indicted, then it typically sets the following sequence of court appearances into motion:

• Arraignment — This is an alleged offender’s first court appearance, at which he or she will be informed of the charges against him or her and will have the opportunity to enter a plea. If the alleged offender pleads guilty or no contest, then the case moves forward with sentencing. However, a not guilty plea will result in another court date being set.
• Pretrial Hearings — During pretrial, status conference, and motion hearings, lawyers for alleged offenders can attempt to have certain evidence suppressed and negotiate with prosecutors to have charges possible reduced or dismissed. If the two sides cannot successfully negotiate a plea agreement, then the case will ultimately move to trial.
• Trial — If an alleged offender’s case reaches this point, then he or she is entitled to a trial by jury. The prosecutor will have to prove the alleged offender’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the alleged offender is found not guilty, then he or she is released and the case is over. However, if he or she is found guilty, then a date is set for a sentencing hearing.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas

The common pleas court in Franklin is divided into three divisions:

General Division

This division has jurisdiction over all felony cases and civil cases in which the sum or matter in dispute exceeds $15,000.

Domestic Relations Division and Juvenile Branch

This division hears all cases involving divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, civil domestic violence, and post decree matters. It also handles juvenile cases involving alleged offenders under 18 years of age or abused and neglected children as well as adult cases involving paternity, child abuse, nonsupport, visitation, custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Probate Court

This division is responsible for matters involving the probating of wills, estate administrations, trusts, guardianships of adults and minors, adoptions, and other types of cases.

Find the Best Common Pleas Court Lawyer in Columbus

If you believe you are the subject of a grand jury investigation or you are already facing felony charges, you should make sure that you have proficient legal representation as soon as possible. Joslyn Law Firm represents clients in courts of common pleas in Franklin County and many other areas of Ohio.

Brian Joslyn has been named one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Ohio by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, in addition to several other recognitions and honors. Let our Ohio Common Pleas Court attorney review your case during a free, confidential consultation by calling (614) 444-1900 today.