City of Westerville, OH
Home MenuYour Rights in Mayor's court
Your Arraignment
The court date on your ticket, assigned by the officer, is your arraignment. This is not your trial.
The purpose of a court arraignment is to tell you about the charges against you and enter a plea.
The officer who issued the citation will not be present at your arraignment.
Your Rights as a Defendant
When you appear in the Westerville Mayor’s Court, you should know your basic rights as a defendant.
You have the right to:
- To know the nature of the charge(s) that has been filed against you.
- To know the identity of the person making the charge against you.
- To see and read the complaint filed against you.
- To have legal counsel represent you.
- To have one continuance to obtain counsel or for some other valid reason.
- Have a Jury Trial or Court Trial in the county court of jurisdiction, where provided by law, if a written demand is made.
- A Speedy trial.
- Appeal your case to the county court of jurisdiction.
Plea Options
Guilty
- Entering a plea of Guilty is a complete admission of guilt.
- Your case will be heard by the Magistrate and penalties/fines assessed today.
Not Guilty
- Entering a plea of Not Guilty is a denial of legal guilt.
- Your case will be set for trial and heard on a subsequent court date.
No Contest
- Entering a plea of No Contest is not an admission of guilt. However, by entering this plea, you are admitting and agreeing that the facts alleged in the ticket or complaint are true and accurate.
- If you choose this plea, your case will be heard by the Magistrate today.
- The Magistrate will listen to any information you wish to briefly present and review the allegations contained within the complaint.
- If the Magistrate finds that the allegations do state the offense charged, the Magistrate will enter a guilty finding and penalties/fines will be assessed.
- A No Contest plea shall not be used against you in any subsequent civil or criminal proceeding.
Appeal after a Trial
You have a right to appeal the ruling of this Court. That appeal must be filed within 10 days of the trial as provided by Section 1905.23 Ohio Revised Code. Court personnel can assist you with this process.
| Misdemeanor Maximum Penalties | Fine and/or Imprisonment | ||
| Misdemeanor Classification | Maximum Jail Term | Maximum Fine |
| 1st Degree (M1) | 6 months | $1000.00 |
| 2nd Degree (M2) | 90 days | $750.00 |
| 3rd Degree (M3) | 60 days | $500.00 |
| 4th Degree (M4) | 30 Days | $250.00 |
| Minor Misdemeanor | None | $150.00 |
Payment Options
The following payment types are accepted:
- Cash
- Check
- Money Order
- Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard)
• Payment is expected on your court date, however payment extensions for any penalties/fines assessed in your case may be discussed with the Magistrate.
• If you are given a payment extension, you will be given another court date.
• If your balance is not paid in full before that court date, YOU MUST APPEAR at that date and time to avoid a warrant being placed for failure to appear.
Proof of Insurance
It is a law in the State of Ohio that everyone must provide proof of insurance when asked by a law enforcement officer. If you did not provide proof to the officer, please email proof to clerkofcourt@westerville.org or bring a printed copy with you to court.
Proof of insurance is required on the vehicle that you were driving on the date and time that you were cited.
Failure to provide proof of insurance may result in your driver’s license being suspended through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
In the event that you are convicted of a Traffic Offense, a record of that conviction will be sent to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and will become a part of your driving record.