Paying Citations

If your citation does not require a court appearance and you choose not to appear in court, you must pay your ticket in full by the court date listed on the bottom of the ticket. Payment plans are available; however, you must appear in court to have the payment plan approved by the presiding judge.

Accepted Payment Methods:

• Cash (in person only)
• Money Order
• Personal Check
• Credit Card* (Convenience fee of 2.95% or $2.50 minimum charge)

Failure to pay and/or appear in court may result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, suspension of your driver’s license and/or registration block.

Plea Descriptions

Tickets Not Requiring Court Appearance:

Most Minor Misdemeanor and Fourth Degree Misdemeanor traffic charges have the option of paying a fine instead of going to Court. To find out the amount of fines and costs, please call the Court Clerk at (330) 534-3090. Fines can be paid prior to the Arraignment Hearing by admitting guilt and paying the total amount of fines and costs.

Tickets Requiring Court Appearance:

The remaining Minor Misdemeanor and Fourth Degree Misdemeanor charges, in addition to all Third, Second and First Degree Misdemeanor charges require a Court appearance.

Transferring Case to Girard Municipal Court:

The defendant has the right to have the case transferred to Girard Municipal Court at any time by requesting a transfer in writing during the process before a plea has been entered.

Arraignment Hearing:

The Arraignment Hearing is the first opportunity for the Defendant to see someone about his/her case. At this time, the Defendant will be allowed to enter a plea to the charges. All Defendants are advised of their rights to have an Attorney represent them, or they may choose to represent themselves. The right to representation by an Attorney may be used at any time during the process and at any hearings.

Trial:

If a Defendant pleads not guilty at his/her Arraignment, the case will be transferred to Girard Municipal Court and a date will be set for the trial. At the Trial, the Prosecutor will present any evidence and call any witnesses to prove the case. The Defendant will then have an opportunity to present his/her own evidence and witnesses to prove that he/she is not guilty. All Defendants have the right to be represented by an Attorney at this and any subsequent hearings.

Guilty Plea:

The plea of Guilty is a complete admission of the Defendant’s guilt.

No Contest Plea:

The plea of No Contest is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the information or complaint, and such a plea of admission will not be used against the Defendant in any subsequent civil or criminal proceedings.

Not Guilty Plea:

The pleas of Not Guilty is a denial of legal guilt, and the case will be set for trial on a later date.

Summons:

A Summons is issued by the Court after the Defendant fails to appear at the initial Arraignment. It is a Court Order which requests the Defendant appear at a later, rescheduled Arraignment.

Warrant:

If a Defendant fails to appear after a summons has been issued, a warrant for his/her arrest may be issued by the Court. This document allows the Police Department to pick up the Defendant and place him/her in jail pending a Court Arraignment Hearing or until the proper amount of bond has been posted. Additional Court costs are assessed as a result of this warrant.

Sentencing Alternatives:

When an individual has been convicted of an offense, the Mayor will impose a sentence. Possible sanctions may include, but are not limited to: fines and court costs, jail time, community service or a period of probation supervision.

Misdemeanor Maximum Penalties