Stow Municipal Court Definitions

ARRAIGNMENT: Defendant is advised of the charge against him in open Court. He is advised of his rights and asked to enter a plea to the charge.

PLEAS

GUILTY: A complete admission of guilt to the charge and waiver of all rights. Such pleas must be made with the consent of the Court.

NO CONTEST: Not an admission of guilt, but an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint. A plea of "no contest" may not be used against a person in subsequent civil or criminal proceedings. Such plea must be made with the consent of the Court.

NOT GUILTY: Denies the charge and places the continuing burden on the City or State to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

PLAINTIFF: The party bringing the lawsuit.

DEFENDANT: The party being sued or charged with an offense.

PRELIMINARY HEARING: A hearing at which the state must show probable cause that a felony has been committed and that the Defendant committed the offense.

PROSECUTOR: Represents the City or State in a criminal case.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Attorney representing a defendant in a criminal or civil case.

SUBPOENA: Order from Court requiring a person to appear in Court. A subpoena may also require a person to bring documents and/or objects with him.

MISDEMEANOR: An offense for which imprisonment may not be imposed for more than one (1) year as a penalty.

FELONY: An offense for which imprisonment for more than 1 year may be imposed as a penalty.

EXPUNGEMENT: An order of the Court to seal the record of certain convictions if statutory criteria are met. The defendant must initiate the process by filing a petition through the Probation department.

COURT COSTS: A sum of money assessed and collected in addition to fines which is required by statute and applied to state funds (such as Public Defender's fund) and used to help defray the Court's operating costs.

The Stow Municipal Court
(330) 564-4200 · Fax (330) 564-4193
4400 Courthouse Drive
Stow, Ohio 44224