Belmont County Prosecuting Attorney

Process/Chart

The office of the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes an array of felony and misdemeanor cases for Adult Offenders for violating State statue as defined in the Ohio Revised Code.

Charges can range from Assault, Domestic Violence, Burglary to the more heinous crimes of Murder and Rape.

Once the office receives Law Enforcement reports, attorneys will review said report thoroughly to determine the appropriate charge. The charge is then filed in the jurisdictional court wherein the offender will either be Arraigned by a Judge, if arrested, summoned into Court or in more serious cases a warrant to arrest.

The process can be Lengthy depending on the circumstances of the case, but our office is committed to ensuring the best possible outcome.

PROCESS/ CHART

  • Report of a crime

  • Criminal Investigation

  • Filing of Complaint

  • Arrest/Summons

  • Initial Appearance – Arraignment

  • Plea of Guilty or Not Guilty

  • Preliminary hearing- if a felony

  • Pre-trial if a misdemeanor

  • Plea hearing

  • Sentencing (Prison, Jail, Probation, Drug Court, Mental Health and Recovery

FELONY/MISDEMEANOR

A Felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment or not less than one year or by the death penalty.

Misdemeanors are often defined as offenses punishable only by fines or short-term imprisonment in local jails or probation.