Pickerington Mayor’s Court | Pickerington OVI Lawyer

PICKERINGTON MAYOR’S COURT

In many instances, a defendant will have his or her case heard in the local mayor’s court. Mayor’s courts are often located within certain cities that will hear cases that originate within the city limits from the local police department. Not all cases require an appearance in the mayor’s court, but certain types of cases include a mandatory appearance.

Tickets and charges issued from the Pickerington Police Department will be heard in the Pickerington Mayor’s Court. The Pickerington Mayor’s Court usually meets every Monday at 3:30 p.m., and is located at 100 Lockville Rd, Pickerington OH 43147

TYPES OF PICKERINGTON CASES OUR ATTORNEYS HANDLE

Some charges can be resolved by the payment of the fine and appearance in the court is not required. Several charges can only be resolved after a defendant has appeared in court. In Pickerington, common charges requiring a personal appearance are:

434.01 PICKERINGTON OVI / PHYSICAL CONTROL WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

• This is the Pickerington section relating to “drunk driving.” No person shall operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• This charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries the maximum penalty of 6 months in jail, a $1,075 fine, and a license suspension of 1 to 3 years.

608.09  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWFUL ORDER OF POLICE OFFICER; FLEEING.

• This charge is similar to “Fleeing and Eluding,” and it is the failure to stop or remain stopped after an officer orders you to do so.

• This charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail, $1,000 fine. The penalty also includes a potential 3 year license suspension.

   

608.01  PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION TO POLICE OFFICER.

• “No person shall knowingly present, display or orally communicate a false name, social security number or date of birth to a law enforcement officer.”

• This charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

434.02  RECKLESS OPERATION

• This charge defines “reckless driving” in Pickerington. It is usually a more serious offense than other traffic charges such as speeding. People charged with “reckless driving” are alleged to display a disregard for the rules of the road.

• This charge is a first degree misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for reckless driving is a $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail.

436.071  DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION OR LICENSE RESTRICTION.

• If a driver’slicense has been suspended and he or she is charged with this offense, the driver faces up to six months in jail plus a fine.

• This charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries the maximum penalty of 6 months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a license suspension of 1 year.

• If the defendant was previously found guilty of this offense within the last three years, then the court may order the car to be immobilized for 30 days.

648.10 DISTURBING THE PEACE.

• Typically, disorderly conduct makes it a crime to be drunk in public, or if an officer believes a defendant has “disturbed the peace.”

• This charge is typically a minor misdemeanor.

• The charge can become a fourth-degree misdemeanor if , “The offender persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist, the offense is committed in the vicinity of a school or in a school safety zone, or the offense is committed in the presence of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescuer, medical person, emergency medical services person engaged in their official duties.”

• The maximum penalty for disorderly conduct is 30 days in jail and a fine of $250.

624.03  DRUG ABUSE; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE POSSESSION OR USE.

• In Pickerington, this is the crime of having one or more illegal drugsin one’s possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise.

• Possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of $150.

• Possession of marijuana exceeding 100 grams but less than 200 grams is a fourth-degree misdemeanor and carries the maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a fine of $250.

• The magistrate in the Pickerington Mayor’s Court may also suspend your drivers license for a period up to 5 years.

513.14  DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.

• In Pickerington, it is illegal to possess equipment that is used for making, using, or concealing drugs.

• Types of paraphernalia include: Scales, smoking bowls, spoons used for drug preparation, balloons for transporting, and containers for transporting and concealing.

• This charge is typically a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and carries a maximum penalty of 30 months in jail and a $250 fine.

• The magistrate in the Pickerington Mayor’s Court may also suspend your drivers license for a period up to 5 years.

608.06  OBSTRUCTING OFFICIAL BUSINESS.

• In Pickerington, it is a crime to hamper or impede a police officer or other public officialin the performance of his or her official This charge encompasses a wide range of acts, including, for example: Lying to a police officer; Fleeing from an officer after being ordered to stop.

• This charge is a second-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

642.08  CRIMINAL DAMAGING OR ENDANGERING.

• It is a crime in Pickerington to knowingly or recklessly cause, or create a substantial risk of physical harm to someone else’s property without that person’s consent.

• “A violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree.  If violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a misdemeanor of the first degree.”

• The maximum penalty one faces is 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

672.01  THEFT.

• Pickerington defines theft as purposely depriving the owner of property or services, or purposely exerting control over either the property or services of another without consent.

• This charge is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The magistrate may also order restitution be paid.

• If the theft involved taking gasoline from a gas station, the magistrate may also suspend the defendant’s license for 6 months.

POTENTIAL PICKERINGTON PENALTIES

Under the Pickerington Code, someone who pleads guilty or no contest to a criminal offense can face the following penalties:

• Minor Misdemeanor: A fine of up to $150;

• Fourth-Degree Misdemeanor: A fine of up to $250, and up to 30 days in jail.

• Third-Degree Misdemeanor: A fine of up to $500, and up to 60 days in jail.

• Second-Degree Misdemeanor: A fine of up to $750, and up to 90 days in jail.

• First-Degree Misdemeanor A fine of up to $1,000, and up to 180 days in jail.

YOUR PICKERINGTON MAYOR’S COURT ATTORNEY

If you are facing a traffic or criminal charge in the Pickerington Mayor’s Court, talk to our Pickerington criminal defense attorney about possible defenses to your charges.  Attorney Douglas Riddell, our Pickerington criminal defense attorney, offers free consultations and flexible payment options.

Criminal and traffic misdemeanor charges can not only mean fines and possible jail time, but can also affect future employment prospects.  Talk to a Pickerington attorney about your options toward avoiding a criminal charge on your record.

PICKERINGTON MAYOR’S COURT