Harrisburg, Ohio, is a village in Franklin County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Harrisburg has a population of more than 335.
Harrisburg Mayor’s Court deals with multiple forms of minor offenses including misdemeanor cases after an investigation by the Harrisburg Police Department.
Mayor’s Courts are not traditional trial courts, but were created to be more community oriented. A magistrate, chosen by the mayor, handles the cases.
Lawyer for Harrisburg Mayor’s Court in Franklin County
After an arrest or detention for a criminal offense in Harrisburg, Ohio, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney, who has fought cases in Mayor’s Court. The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm represent clients charged with a range of misdemeanor cases including operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (often called OVI or DUI), petty theft, shoplifting, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Harrisburg Mayor’s Court also processes applications for expungement. The application is required to expunge an official record of conviction from the village of Harrisburg Mayor’s Court as provided for in Section 2593.32 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Contact Joslyn Law Firm now for more information about how our experienced lawyer can help. Call (614) 444-1900 to schedule a no obligations consultation.
Types of Cases Heard in Harrisburg Mayor’s Court
The Harrisburg Mayor’s Court is only allowed to hold hearings for particular types of cases including:
- Misdemeanor cases including operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OVI)
- Cases involving Traffic Violations; and
- Applications for Expungement
Penalties for Crimes Prosecuted in Harrisburg Mayor’s Court
The possible outcomes following a conviction in Harrisburg Mayor’s Court will depend on how the underlying offense is classified:
- A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $1,000.
- A second degree misdemeanor is punishable up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $750.
- A third degree misdemeanor is punishable up to 60 days in jail and fines up to $500.
- A fourth degree misdemeanor is punishable up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $250.
- A minor misdemeanor is not punishable by jail time, but a fine of up to $150 can be imposed.
Procedures in the Harrisburg Courthouse
The first date in Mayor’s Court in the Harrisburg, Ohio, is called the arraignment. At the arraignment, the sitting magistrate will read the charges pending against you and ask you to enter a plea of either ‘not guilty’, ‘guilty’, or ‘no contest’.
The individual accused of a crime, if not represented by an attorney, will be given a ‘Basic Rights Form’. The form summarizes the rights of the accused and the options for resolving the case. The form also describes the various pleas.
The form explains what it means to plead guilty, not contest, or not guilty. The person accused of the crime might also have a chance to speak with the city prosecutor prior to the hearing if they are not represented by an attorney.
The hearings run on a first come, first serve basis. Trials are usually held until after all the defendants have entered a plea on a court date scheduled at arraignment. No trial will happen at the first court date. If you don’t have an attorney, you must appear just to ask for the case to be rescheduled for a trial.
If you retain a criminal defense attorney to represent you at the arraignment, then the attorney may be able to waive your appearance and enter the not guilty plea on your behalf so that you do not have to appear in court. After arraignment, the prosecutor’s office will send your attorney the discovery in the case which often includes a list of witnesses and evidence that the prosecutor would use at trial.
Your attorney can review the discovery with you, question the witnesses, help you negotiate the most favorable outcome before trial, or prepare the case for trial. The goal in many of these cases is either minimizing the penalties, fighting for a reduction of the charges, or fighting for an outright dismissal.
The court in Harrisburg Mayor’s Court does not conduct a jury trial or evidentiary hearings. If you wish to contest the case further, then you and your attorney can opt to transfer the case for an evidentiary hearing or a jury trial in either the Franklin County Municipal Court.
Harrisburg Mayor’s Court
The Mayor’s Court is located at:
1092 High Street
Harrisburg, Ohio 43126
Find a Lawyer for Harrisburg Mayor’s Court in Franklin County, OH
Have you or someone you know been arrested in Harrisburg, Ohio. If you are planning for a hearing at Mayor’s Court then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Franklin County, Ohio.
The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm have handled multiple cases in Mayor’s Court hearings throughout Franklin County, Ohio. We also accept cases in Delaware County, Fairfield County, Licking County, Madison County, Pickaway County, and Union County.
If you or someone you know is facing a criminal prosecution in Franklin County, then contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact (614) 444-1900 for more information and to set up a free consultation with one of the attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm.
This article was last updated on September 6, 2017
