Frequently Asked Questions

Below please find a list of commonly used terms and their definitions:

Arraignment - the initial court appearance of the accused, held for the purpose of advising the accused of the charges and having him or her enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charge. This is also the accused's opportunity to ask for court appointed counsel if eligible.

Grand Jury - a group of persons whose duty is to receive complaints and accusations in criminal cases, hear the prosecutor's evidence, and decide whether that evidence is sufficient to issue an indictment.

Plea - a defendant's official statement of "guilty," "not guilty," or "no contest" to the charges against him or her. If the defendant enters a "guilty" or "no contest" plea, there will be no need for a trial.

Pretrial - a meeting, before trial, between the prosecutor and the defense attorney to discuss the merits of the case, exchange information about witnesses, and attempt to negotiate an appropriate resolution of the case.

Sentencing- the judgment of a court concerning the offender's punishment, ranging from death, imprisonment, or fine to probation, restitution, and community service.

How do I find out if someone has been Indicted?

The Prosecutor's Office is not able to give out information about an Indictment before an individual is served with the Indictment. Please do not call our office requesting such information. Publicly available information about pending cases is maintained by the Clerk of the Common Pleas Court. You can access the public docket at the Clerk of Courts website.

I received a Grand Jury subpoena, what do I do?

Please appear at the time and place directed by the subpoena. Also, please bring with you any requested documents or things. Our office cannot tell you why you have been subpoenaed before the grand jury.

Who do I talk to about collecting child support?

Call the Child Support Enforcement Agency at (419)674-2269.

How can someone plead “not guilty” in their arraignment when they are so obviously guilty?

Generally, a Defendant cannot making a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary plea without adequate legal representation. Thus, the Common Pleas Judge will ensure the Defendant is provided with counsel, either court appointed or privately retained, and then will allow the Defendant to enter a plea at a later date.

How can I find out if a person is in jail?

Contact the Marion/Hardin Multi-County Correctional Facility at (740) 387-7434.

How do I make a complaint regarding police officers and departments?

Please contact the agency you have the complaint against and they will direct you to the appropriate person. A list of phone numbers for the area law enforcement agencies is available on the information links page.

What happens after a police officer files a report?

An investigation is conducted to determine if charges should be filed.

How do I go about filing a complaint?

Contact your local law enforcement agency. See the information links page.

Who do I call for consumer complaints?

Contact private counsel, or the Attorney General's Office at (800) 282-0515 and they may advise you what to do next.

What are protection orders?

A Protection Order is granted by a Judge and orders the defendant to have no contact with you. The defendant should not enter your home or approach you at your place of work or school. If the defendant violates the Protection Order, a new charge may be filed and the defendant could be arrested again.

Are all Protection Orders the same?

No. There are different kinds of Protection Orders. A Judge in a criminal case in Municipal or Common Pleas Court may issue a Temporary Protection Order (TPO) in a case depending on the type of charge and your relationship to the defendant. A Judge in Domestic Relations Court issues a Civil Protection Order (CPO).

What is the difference between criminal and civil Protection Orders?

Protection orders issued by the Municipal or Common Pleas Courts in a criminal case are temporary. They expire at the end of the case or sentencing of the defendant. Civil Protection Orders issued by the Domestic Relations Court can last up to five years and may be renewed. Civil Protection Orders issued by the Domestic Relations Court can also address issues of custody, division of property, and financial support.

Who can get a Protection Order in a criminal case?

The Municipal Court and/or Common Pleas Court may grant protection orders as part of the criminal case to Victims of any of the following offenses: Domestic Violence, Domestic Violence by Menacing, Felonious Assault, Aggravated Assault, Assault, Menacing by Stalking, Aggravated Trespass, Aggravated Menacing, and Menacing.

How do I get a Protection Order in a criminal case?

A criminal charge must have been filed against the defendant (the person charged with the crime); the crime must be one of those listed in the answer to the previous question; you must be the Victim of the crime; and your relationship with the defendant must comply with the law.

You may be asked to sign a request for a protection order at the time the criminal charges are filed. Your request puts the court on notice that you seek its protection. If you make such a request, the court may require you to come forward for a hearing before it issues the Protection Order. This usually happens on the day the defendant has an initial appearance.

Can anyone help me obtain a Protection Order?

The Crime Victim Advocate regularly helps victims obtain protection orders. Please contact Sharron Wells at 419-674-2277 or hardincva@hotmail.com.