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Central Ohio Courts

Licking County Municipal Court

Court Information

For nearly ten years, the Columbus Criminal defense team has been representing clients in the Licking County Municipal Court. During that time, we have successfully represented clients on charges ranging from OVI / DUI, to theft, drug possession and paraphernalia and most any other criminal charges as well.

Judge(s) B. Matthew George
David N. Stansbury

Judges B. Matthew George and David N. Stansbury, along a number of prosecutors, ensure that court affairs are run fairly and efficiently.

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40 West Main Street
Newark, OH
PH: (740) 670-7800
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Licking County Ohio

Licking County Municipal Court

Court Process Information

The Licking County Municipal Court is located at 40 West Main Street, Newark, Ohio. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for holidays. If you were ticketed for a traffic violation or charged with a misdemeanor offense, this is where your case will take place. For first through fourth-degree misdemeanors, you are required to appear in court for your arraignment and future court dates. However, you do not have to appear before a judge alone. In fact, it is to your benefit to have an experienced defense attorney by your side.

Contact us at Luftman, Heck & Associates to have an arraignment lawyer by your side throughout the criminal court process. You can reach us at (614) 500-3836 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the central Ohio court system.

Licking County Municipal Court

Judges B. Matthew George and David N. Stansbury handle traffic and misdemeanor cases in Licking County. Judge Stansbury is the administrative and presiding judge of the court.

The clerk of the court is Marcia J. Phelps. She is responsible for the administrative portion of the court system, including maintaining all public records related to court cases. Her staff is also responsible for properly filing all court documents and a great deal of scheduling.

If you have any questions regarding the Licking County, Ohio courthouse, you can contact the criminal/traffic division of the court at (740) 670-7800. However, we recommend you contact a Columbus criminal defense attorney from Luftman, Heck & Associates for answers to your questions.

If you are charged with a misdemeanor in Licking County, then the city or village may have an attorney serving as a prosecutor to handle your case. If you are facing charges for a misdemeanor in unincorporated Licking County, a prosecutor from the Newark City Law Director’s Office handles your case. It has three attorneys within the criminal division, which handles all traffic, misdemeanor, and criminal prosecution for Newark, Heath, Pataskala, Granville, Reynoldsburg, and unincorporated Licking County.

Depending on the charges you face, you may have the opportunity to go through a diversion program and avoid a conviction or avoid harsh punishments. Licking County Municipal Court has a diversion program for non-violent first-time offenders.

Your First Appearance in Court

When it comes to most misdemeanor and traffic offenses, you will be ticketed or arrested and released. You will receive a summons either in person or through the mail requiring you to come to court on a certain date and time. This first court hearing is known as your arraignment, and you should have an attorney for this court date. At the arraignment, you will hear the charges against you. If you do not yet have a lawyer, you will be reminded of your right to legal counsel. At this time, you can ask for a continuance to give you time to obtain a lawyer, though whether or not you are granted the continuance is up to the judge.

Unless your arraignment is continued to a future date, you must enter your initial plea. You can plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. Criminal defense attorneys typically recommend you plead not guilty in order to obtain more time to learn about your rights and legal options. This gives you time to contact a defense attorney and have them carefully review your case.

If you got arrested for a misdemeanor, there is a chance that you will not be immediately released from jail. You can be jailed until your arraignment and after. If you are being held, law enforcement officers will transport you to and from your arraignment. At this hearing, you will learn about your options to secure your release. You may be required to pay bail and be released on bond. Your release may also be based on other conditions, such as not contacting certain individuals, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, or wearing a GPS monitor.

The Steps of the Court Process After Your Arraignment

If you pleaded not guilty at your arraignment, then your next court hearing will be scheduled. In the following weeks, your attorney will have the opportunity to participate in discovery. This legal process enables your lawyer to obtain and review the evidence the prosecution intends to use against you. Your attorney may also conduct an independent investigation into what happened to lead to these charges. With this information and evidence in hand, your lawyer will discuss with you the best next steps in your case.

Depending on the circumstances, your lawyer may recommend accepting a plea agreement. When you lack a strong defense, a plea deal is an opportunity to obtain reduced charges or a lighter sentence, which you may not get if you are found guilty at trial. You are not guaranteed a plea deal, though the prosecutor may offer one or agree to one brought up by your lawyer. Ultimately, it is your decision whether or not you accept an available agreement.

If your case in Licking County Municipal Court is not resolved through a plea agreement, then your criminal defense lawyer will prepare for trial. Your attorney will have a candid discussion with you regarding the trial process and the best and worst potential outcomes.

Preparing for Your Hearing at the Licking County, Ohio Courthouse

An arraignment lawyer from Luftman, Heck & Associates can help you prepare for court. You should be clear about where you need to go, on what day, and at what time. Be sure you have time off work or obtain child care. Make sure you confirm you have transportation to the courthouse and prepare to arrive early.

You should dress appropriately for the hearing. Shirts and shoes are required, and the court asks that you arrive in clean, well-fitting clothing. Overly casual clothes such as jeans, shorts, short skirts, tank tops, pajamas, or revealing clothing are not appropriate. If you have any questions regarding what to wear to court, do not hesitate to ask your defense attorney.

Weapons are entirely prohibited inside courthouses. You cannot bring any weapon or item that could be used as a weapon onto the premises. This includes guns, knives, brass knuckles, cat ear keychains, mace or pepper spray, knitting needles, and scissors.

Contact Us for Help with Your Case in Licking County Municipal Court

If you are facing a traffic ticket or misdemeanor charge in Licking County, you should work with an experienced criminal defense attorney familiar with the court in this area. By hiring a lawyer from Luftman, Heck & Associates, you have a greater chance of having the charge dropped, dismissed, or reduced. You are also more likely to obtain a fair outcome if convicted.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us at (614) 500-3836 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.

 

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