Home  »  Courts in Ohio  »  Franklin County Mayor’s Courts  »  Grandview Heights

Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court

Speeding tickets or traffic violations as well as arrests for other misdemeanor offenses in Grandview Heights may require an alleged offender to appear in the city’s Mayor’s Court. This is a smaller local court that meets twice a month, and failing to appear in court to enter a plea or pay a fine may result in the court issuing a bench warrant for the alleged offender’s arrest.

Not all alleged offenders are necessarily required to appear in court, but it can be beneficial for any person who disputes the charges he or she is facing. All criminal matters should be taken seriously, as the Mayor’s Court has the power to impose fines and sentences of incarceration.

Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court Lawyer

Have you been ticketed for a traffic violation or arrested for a misdemeanor crime in Grandview Heights? You can give yourself the best chance at having your criminal charges reduced or dismissed by having legal representation before appearing in Mayor’s Court.

Joslyn Law Firm represents clients all over Franklin County, and our experienced Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court attorney can fight to minimize the potential penalties you face. Call (614) 444-1900 today to set up a free, confidential consultation that will allow our firm to provide a thorough evaluation of your case.

Types of Cases Heard in Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court

An alleged offender may be required to appear in the Mayor’s Court if he or she is ticketed or arrested by the Grandview Heights Division of Police for any one of a number of misdemeanor violations of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Grandview Heights or the Ohio Revised Code. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Public Indecency — Under Grandview Heights Ordinance § 533.07 or Ohio Revised Code § 2907.09, it is a fourth-degree misdemeanor for an alleged offender to expose his or her private parts or engage in conduct that is or appears to be sexual conduct or masturbation in the physical proximity of other people. This is a third-degree misdemeanor if the person in the proximity of the alleged offender was a minor, and the degree of misdemeanor increases for repeat offenses.
• Obstructing Justice— Under Grandview Heights Ordinance § 533.07 or Ohio Revised Code § 2907.09, it is a misdemeanor for an alleged offender to interfere with the administration of justice or hinder the discovery, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another person.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance —Grandview Heights Ordinance § 513.03 makes first offenses for possession of a Schedule III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V controlled substance a first-degree misdemeanor, possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana a minor misdemeanor, possession of 100 grams or more but less than 200 grams of cannabis a fourth-degree misdemeanor, possession of less than five grams of hashish a minor misdemeanor, and possession of five grams or more but less than 10 grams of hashish a fourth-degree misdemeanor.
• Reckless Operation on Streets, Public or Private Property — Commonly referred to as “reckless driving,” Grandview Heights Ordinance § 333.09 makes it a minor misdemeanor for a first offense involving an alleged offender operating a vehicle on any street or highway without due regard for the safety of persons or property. This is a fourth-degree misdemeanor if the alleged offender has one traffic conviction in the prior year and a third-degree misdemeanor if the alleged offender has two or more traffic convictions in the prior year.
• Driving Under Suspension or License Restriction — Under Grandview Heights Ordinance § 335.07 or Ohio Revised Code § 4510.037, it is a first-degree misdemeanor for an alleged offender to operate a motor vehicle while his or her driver’s or commercial driver’s license or permit or nonresident operating privilege has been suspended under any provision of the Ohio Revised Code.
• Gift of Marihuana — Grandview Heights Ordinance § 513.02 makes it a minor misdemeanor to knowingly give or offer to make a gift of 20 grams or less of marijuana. Subsequent offenses or offenses committed in the vicinity of a school or a juvenile are third-degree misdemeanors.
• Resisting Arrest — Under Grandview Heights Ordinance § 525.09 or Ohio Revised Code § 2921.33, it is a second-degree misdemeanor for an alleged offender to, recklessly or by force, resist or interfere with his or her own lawful arrest of or that of another person. If these alleged actions cause physical harm to a law enforcement officer, this is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor.
• Drunk Driving — Referred to as driving or physical control while under the influence in Grandview Heights Ordinance § 333.01 and operating vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) in Ohio Revised Code § 4511.19, a first offense is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor.

Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court Case Processes

People are prohibited from bringing weapons, food, or drinks to the Mayor’s Court. They are expected to wear appropriate clothing and shoes and men are not allowed to wear hats or caps. Cell phones are required to be on silent mode or turned off and talking is not allowed while Mayor’s Court is in session, except with authorized Court personnel.

The alleged offender’s first appearance in the Mayor’s Court is for his or her arraignment. If he or she pleads of guilty or no contest, then the court will move forward with sentencing. However, if he or she pleads not guilty, then a date will be set for trial.

The Mayor’s Court is not a court of record, so a trial in this setting will not be heard by a judge and jury. Instead, the case will be decided by a magistrate who has been appointed by the mayor.

Alleged offenders have the right to transfer their cases to the Franklin County Municipal Court at any time. Usually, this is done to have a case heard by a jury or have the proceedings recorded, but cases can also be transferred if an alleged offender wants to appeal the decision of the Mayor’s Court.

Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court Penalties

The possible maximum sentences for misdemeanor offenses under Grandview Heights Ordinance § 501.99 are essentially the same as those outlined under the Ohio Revised Code. If a person is convicted of a misdemeanor offense in the Mayor’s Court, he or she may be sentenced as follows:

• Minor Misdemeanor — Maximum fine of $150 and restitution to alleged victim or any survivor of the victim;
• Fourth-Degree Misdemeanor — Maximum sentence of 30 days in jail, maximum fine of $250, and restitution to alleged victim or any survivor of the victim;
• Third-Degree Misdemeanor — Maximum sentence of 60 days in jail, maximum fine of $500, and restitution to alleged victim or any survivor of the victim;
• Second-Degree Misdemeanor — Maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, maximum fine of $750, and restitution to alleged victim or any survivor of the victim; and
• First-Degree Misdemeanor — Maximum sentence of 180 days in jail, maximum fine of $1,000, and restitution to alleged victim or any survivor of the victim.

Cases involving alleged OVI or driving or physical control while under the influence can also make alleged offenders subject to additional consequences such as possible suspension of driving privileges, court-ordered treatment, or installation of ignition interlock devices on all vehicles owned or driven by the alleged offenders.

Location and Staff of Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court

Mayor’s Court convenes at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the following location:

Check, money order, cash, or credit card payments are also accepted at the Police Dispatchers window of the same address between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. any day of the week.

Mayor’s Court personnel in Grandview Heights includes:

• Magistrate — Matthew P. Cincione
• Prosecutor — David F. Beck
• Clerk of Courts — Linda Wheeler (614) 481-6205

Find the Best Mayor’s Court Lawyer in Grandview Heights

If you have an upcoming Mayor’s Court hearing in Grandview Heights, do not make an appearance without legal counsel. Joslyn Law Firm provides aggressive defense for people throughout Franklin County.

Brian Joslyn has been repeatedly recognized for his excellence in the field of criminal law, including being named one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys on Ohio by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. You can have our Grandview Heights Mayor’s Court attorney review your case by calling (614) 444-1900 to schedule a free consultation.