Whitehall is a city in Franklin County and Licking County, Ohio. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Whitehall has a population of more than 18,700.
Whitehall Mayor’s Court deals with multiple forms of minor criminal offenses including misdemeanor cases after an investigation by Whitehall Police Department. Mayor’s Courts are not traditional trials, but were created to be more community oriented. A magistrate, chosen by the mayor, handles the cases.
Lawyer for Whitehall Mayor’s Court
If an individual was ever detained for a criminal offense in Whitehall, Ohio, and is planning for their hearing at Mayor’s Court, it would be in their best interest to seek legal representation. Our attorneys 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 drug paraphernalia.
The Whitehall Mayor’s Court also processes applications for expungement. The application is required to expunge an official record of conviction from the Village of Whitehall Mayor’s Court as provided for in Section 2953.32 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 obligation consultation.
Types of Cases Heard in Whitehall Mayor’s Court
The Whitehall 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 dealing with Traffic Violations
- Applications for Expungement
Penalties for Crimes Prosecuted in Whitehall Mayor’s Court
The possible of outcomes following a conviction in Whitehall 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 by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $750.
- A third degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days in jail and fines up to $500.
- A fourth degree misdemeanor is punishable by 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.
Court Dates in Whitehall
Whitehall Mayor’s Court is typically held every Tuesday with check-in’s beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the clerks office. All defendants have the opportunity to speak with the county prosecutor before the hearing.
8:00 a.m. – Traffic arraignments
8:45 a.m. – Code enforcement and tax arraignments
9:00 a.m. – Criminal arraignments
9:30 a.m. – Pre-trials
10:00 a.m. – Translator required
10:15 a.m. – Trials (Only held on the second Tuesday of every month)
10:30 a.m. – Prisoner arraignments
Procedures in the Whitehall Courthouse
The first court date in the Mayor’s Court in Whitehall, 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 ‘guilty’, ‘not guilty’, or’no contest’.
The individual whose been accused of a crime will be given a ‘Basic Rights Form’. The form summarizes the rights of the accused and the options for resolving the case including entering a plea. The form also describes the various pleas including what it means to plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty.
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.
If you retain an 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 Whitehall Mayor’s Court does not conduct 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 or Licking County Municipal Court, depending on where the offense allegedly occurred.
Whitehall Mayor’s Court Location
The Mayor’s Court is located at:
Whitehall City Hall, Main Floor
360 S. Yearling Road
Whitehall, Ohio 43213
Entry is located at the front of the building Parking is found on the North and South sides of the complex as well as across the street in the Municipal building lot. The building is South of the Whitehall Division of Police.
Additional Resources
Details on Whitehall Mayor’s Court – Visit the official website for the Whitehall Mayor’s Court to learn more about it’s operations and dates.
Find a Lawyer for Whitehall Mayor’s Court in Franklin County, OH
Have you or someone you know been arrested in Whitehall, Ohio. If you are planning a hearing at Mayor’s Court then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The attorneys at Joslyn Law Firm have handled multiple cases in Mayor’s Court hearings throughout Franklin County, Ohio. We also accept cases in the counties surrounding Franklin County including 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.
Call (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 Monday, August 30th, 2017
