The Village of
RUTLANDOHIO
Tyler M. Eblin, Mayor
Welcome to the Village of Rutland Mayor's Court, a local court created by Chapter 1905 of the Ohio Revised Code to hear, adjudicate and determine punishment for criminal and traffic violations classified as a misdemeanor occurring in the Village of Rutland.
The Honorable Tyler M. Eblin, Mayor
Mayor Tyler M. Eblin is the current presiding officer of the Village of Rutland Mayor's Court. Mayor Eblin is certified by the Ohio Supreme Court to hear and adjudicate criminal, traffic and parking violations which are classified as a minor misdemeanor or misdemeanor of the first, second, third or fourth degree, as well as cases involving a charge of operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
Bonds are assessed when an arrest warrant, bench warrant or warrant upon complaint is issued by the Court to secure a defendant's appearance. Bond amounts are set by the Court and vary based on the degree of the offense and the Court's bond schedule. The Court may elect to release the defendant on their own recognizance, a bond without a cash sum, if the Court has reason to believe the defendant will faithfully attend all hearings of the Court.
Cash Bond. A cash bond is a bond which requires a cash payment to have a warrant released or to have a defendant released from jail pending a Court hearing. Full payment of the cash bond must be made prior to the release of the warrant, or the release of the defendant from jail pending a Court hearing.
Cash Bond (10%). A cash bond (10%) is a bond which requires a cash payment to have a warrant released or to have a defendant released from jail pending a Court hearing. However, payment of a minimum of 10% of the cash bond must be made prior to the release of the warrant, or the release of the defendant from jail pending a Court hearing. If, however, the defendant fails to appear in Court following the 10% payment of the cash bond, the Court will pursue full payment of the cash bond from the individual who originally paid the defendant's cash bond.
Surety Bond. A surety bond is a bond paid in full by a bail bond company, or bail bondsman. If the defendant fails to appear in Court following payment of the surety bond, the bail bondsman will pursue full payment of the surety bond amount by the defendant and may take any action lawfully authorized in the surety bond agreement entered into between the defendant and the bail bondsman.
Recognizance of the Accused. In lieu of cash and surety bonds, a recognizance of the accused may be authorized by the Court if the Court has reason to believe the defendant will faithfully attend all hearings of the Court. The Court may require, in the event of recognizance, a person to provide sureties, being another person who will guarantee the attendance of the accused and agree to forfeit the amount if they don't; however, the Court may simply elect to the release the warrant or the defendant from jail on their own recognizance, during which no surety would be required.
Arrest Warrant. An arrest warrant is a warrant issued by the Court upon probable cause that a defendant has committed a criminal or traffic offense and is in the custody of the Marshal or deputy marshal.
Bench Warrant. A bench warrant is a warrant issued by the Court in the event a defendant has failed to appear, has failed to comply with an order of the Court, or has missed payment of fines or costs and failed to appear for a compliance hearing.
Warrant Upon Complaint. A warrant upon complaint is a warrant issued by the Court upon receipt of a sworn affidavit of complaint by the Marshal or deputy marshal alleging a defendant has committed a criminal or traffic offense and is not in the custy of the Marshal or deputy marshal at the time of issuance.
A defendant may file a motion and entry for a continuance of his or her case to a future date if the defendant needs additional time to obtain legal counsel, file for discoveries and prepare their defense. Additionally, if a defendant will be unable to appear in Court as summoned, he or she must file a motion and entry for a continuance. This form must be filed on or before the date of Court from which a continuance is requested. Continuances may be filed in person with the Clerk of Court at the Mayor's Office.
The Village of Rutland Mayor's Court has jurisdiction in all cases involving violations of the municipal ordinances of the Village of Rutland occurring within the Village corporation limits. The Mayor's Court is conducted and operated pursuant to the Rules of the Mayor's Court, adopted and issued by the Mayor. The Mayor's Court is also subject to the Mayor's Court Education and Procedure Rules, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Ohio Traffic Rules. The following explanation of court processes has been provided to better assist those who may appear before or conduct business with the Mayor's Court and ensure a basic understanding of the procedures of the Mayor's Court.
A complaint is a document which specifies the details of a violation committed; and a summons is an order to appear before the Mayor, or a writ containing such order. The complaint and summons for criminal violations include the complaint by individual, minor misdemeanor citation, misdemeanor citation and a summons to appear in lieu of an arrest. The complaint and summons for traffic violations include the Ohio Uniform Traffic Ticket.
Pursuant to May. Ct. R. 41, if you have been charged with any criminal offense, you must appear before the Mayor during Mayor's Court. A criminal offense includes an offense unrelated to traffic and can be classified as a minor misdemeanor or a misdemeanor of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
Pursuant to May. Ct. R. 41, if you have been charged with any of the following traffic offenses, you must appear before the Mayor during Mayor's Court:
Failure to comply with order or signal of police officer (R.C. s. 2921.331).
Failure to report an accident (R.C. s. 4509.74).
Driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction (R.C. s. 4510.11).
Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license (R.C. s. 4510.12).
Wrongful entrustment of motor vehicle (R.C. s. 4511.203).
Street racing (R.C. s. 4511.251).
Stopping for stopped school bus (R.C. s. 4511.75).
Stopping after accident on public roads or highways (R.C. 4549.02).
Stopping after accident on other than public roads or highways (R.C. 4549.021).
Operating vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (R.C. s. 4511.19), if the commission does not involve an injury or death to another or damage to property.
Violations not requiring a mandatory appearance before the Mayor's Court may be disposed of through the Village of Rutland Mayor's Court Violations Bureau. This means that a defendant may pay a fine in lieu of appearing in Mayor's Court. Defendants who pay a fine through the Violations Bureau are waiving their right to a trial and declaring an admission of guilt to the charge or charges.
Note: If a defendant desires to enter into a payment plan to satisfy the full payment of his or her fine, he or she must appear in Mayor's Court.
Those who appear in Mayor's Court due to the commission of a mandatory appearance violation or in desire to contest a charge or enter into a payment plan will first attend an arraignment hearing, wherein each will be informed of the charge or charges levied against them, will be informed of their rights, given an opportunity to continue their case to obtain a lawyer or opt for a jury trial, and will be asked to enter into a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.
If a plea of guilty is entered: The Mayor will ask each defendant if he or she, or his or her counsel, desires to make a statement to the Mayor's Court, although such is not required. The Mayor will make a judgement entry of a finding of guilt and will thereafter impose punishment.
If a plea of not guilty is entered: The Mayor will schedule a bench trial, unless the Mayor's Court will be absent of a Prosecutor, and in such case, the Mayor will transfer the case to the Meigs County Court or Court of Common Pleas.
If a plea of no contest is entered: The Mayor will closely examine all charges and facts of the case and will thereafter make a judgement entry of a finding of guilt and will thereafter impose punishment.
Note: Before arraignment, the Mayor will read aloud to all defendants a summary of their rights.
All defendants have the right to obtain legal counsel. If a defendant has not secured legal counsel prior to Court, the defendant may continue his or her case to obtain legal counsel. The Mayor's Court does not appoint legal counsel to defendants. If a defendant requests legal counsel and cannot afford legal counsel, the case will be transferred to the Meigs County Court.
In the Village of Rutland Mayor's Court, a bench trial is a trial by the Mayor, rather than a trial by jury. Bench trials will only be held in the Mayor's Court in the presence of the Prosecutor; otherwise, all cases requiring a bench trial will be transferred to the Meigs County Court or Court of Common Pleas.
The following procedures will take place if a bench trial is scheduled:
The Mayor will set a date for bench trial.
The Mayor's Court will issue a subpoena to the police officer or person who filed the charge.
Any defendants who desire a witness to come to Mayor's Court for the bench trial must file a request with the Clerk of Court for a subpoena to be issued. This request must be filed at least seven days prior to the trial.
When defendants appear before their bench trial, each will be required to register with the Bailiff. During the Mayor's Court session, defendants will be called one by one to have their case heard.
During the bench trial, the following procedures will take place:
Opening statements will be allowed for both the defense and the prosecution.
The prosecution will present its case.
The defense will be given an opportunity to cross-examine any prosecution witnesses.
Defendants, or their counsel, will present their defense.
The prosecution will be given the opportunity to cross-examine any defense witnesses.
Both the prosecution and defense will each present a closing argument.
The Mayor will then make a finding of guilty or not guilty.
Court costs will be assessed if a defendant is found guilty.
The Village of Rutland Mayor's Court does not conduct jury trials. Instead, when a defendant demands a jury trial, the case will be transferred to the Meigs County Court, where a jury trial can be held. Defendants are not eligible to demand a jury trial in minor misdemeanor offenses; however, in any offense that is a misdemeanor of the first, second, third or fourth degree.
Upon a finding of guilt, the Mayor will impose sentencing as one's punishment. Punishment can include community service, a fine or incarceration. Punishment will be imposed as follows:
For a violation classified as a minor misdemeanor, the Mayor can impose a maximum fine of $150 or a maximum of 30 hours of community service.
For a violation classified as a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, the Mayor can impose a maximum fine of $250, a maximum of 200 hours of community service or a maximum of 30 days incarceration.
For a violation classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree, the Mayor can impose a maximum fine of $500, a maximum of 200 hours of community service or a maximum of 60 days incarceration.
For a violation classified as a misdemeanor of the second degree, the Mayor can impose a maximum fine of $750, a maximum of 200 hours of community service or a maximum of 90 days incarceration.
For a violation classified as a misdemeanor of the first degree, the Mayor can impose a maximum fine of $1,000, a maximum of 500 hours of community service or a maximum of 180 days incarceration.
For a violation which is an unclassified misdemeanor, the Mayor can impose a maximum of 500 hours of community service.
The Village of Rutland Mayor's Court is committed to assisting all defendants in the satisfactory payment of their fines. Should a defendant be found guilty of a criminal or traffic violation for which the penalty is a fine, the defendant may request to enter into a payment plan to satisfy the payment of their fine in full over a period of 90 days.
Pursuant to Mayor Ct. R. 32, defendants may enter into a payment plan to satisfy the full payment of a fine imposed by the Mayor’s Court as follows:
The fine imposed will be prorated over a period not to exceed six months and shall be in full paid not later than the date at which such period is to end.
Payments may be remitted by the defendant monthly, biweekly, or weekly in order to satisfy total payment.
Defendants should note that payment plans cannot be entered into by telephone or other methods of communication other than in person. Defendants who have received a misdemeanor citation or traffic ticket not requiring mandatory appearance, but desire to enter into a payment plan to satisfy the payment of their fine must appear before the Mayor's Court, wherein a payment plan will be negotiated.
Those who fail to comply with the payment plan will either have issued against them a warrant for their arrest or a warrant/registration block.
By Mail: Defendants may deliver a payment of their fine by United States mail to Village of Rutland Mayor's Court, 337 Main Street, Rutland, Ohio 45775.
In Person: Defendants may remit a payment of their fine in person at the Clerk of Court's Office located inside the Rutland Civic Center addressed at 337 Main Street, Rutland, Ohio 45775
Online: Defendants may remit a payment of their fine online at GovPayNow.com and entering the postal code 45775 in the Pay Location Code (PLC) field and thereafter completing the required fields. This service can also be accessed by clicking "Online Bill Pay" under "My Rutland" at the heading of this webpage.
All defendants have rights which are prescribed by law; and all defendants will enter into a plea during their arraignment hearing. This page provides a list of those rights and a description of the three plea options that each defendant has when appearing before the Mayor's Court.
All defendants have the following rights in Mayor's Court, all of which will be read during their arraignment hearing:
Right to know the nature of the charge or charges filed against them
Right to know the identity of the person making the charge against them
Right to see and read the complaint filed against them
Right to obtain an attorney and to a reasonable continuance to secure an attorney
Right to reasonable bail or bond
Right to enter a plea of not guilty, guilty or no contest
Right to make a statement before sentencing
Right to have rights explained by the Mayor in open court
Each defendant will have the opportunity to enter into one of the following pleas during their arraignment hearing:
Plea of not guilty, an indication of a denial of guilt.
Plea of guilty, an indication of a complete admission of guilt.
Plea of no contest, not an admission of guilt, but is an admission of the truth of the facts alleged in the complaint or ticket and such admission cannot be used against you in any subsequent civil or criminal proceedings.
The Village of Rutland Mayor's Court assesses fees and imposes fines based on the Schedule of Bonds, Fees and Fines. Although the schedule exists, the Mayor's Court may exercise discretion in dismissing court costs, in whole or in part, as well as reducing the fine amount for convicted cases. To access a comprehensive list of ordinances and the fines for a violation of such ordinances, click the links provided below, or refer to the Common Fines and Fees list provided.
Click on the Schedule of Bonds, Fees and Fines.
Locate the section of which you were in violation provided under the Municipal Code column. This number can be found on your citation or summons.
Locate the fine amount next to the Municipal Code section and description. Add $50.00 Court cost to this fine amount, which equals your total bond.
All violations classified as a minor misdemeanor, except those listed below, may be disposed of through the Village of Rutland Mayor's Court Violations Bureau, administered by the Office of the Clerk of Court. Through the Violations Bureau, defendants may submit full payment of their fine, indicating an admission of guilt to the charge and a waiver of a right to trial. Defendants may contact the Clerk of Court by telephone at (740) 742 2121, extension 1000, to inquire about their fine amounts.
Note: If a defendant desires to enter into a payment plan to satisfy the full payment of his or her fine, he or she must appear in Mayor's Court.
Pursuant to May. Ct. R. 41, if you have been charged with any of the following traffic offenses, you must appear before the Mayor during Mayor's Court:
Failure to comply with order or signal of police officer (R.C. s. 2921.331).
Failure to report an accident (R.C. s. 4509.74).
Driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction (R.C. s. 4510.11).
Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license (R.C. s. 4510.12).
Wrongful entrustment of motor vehicle (R.C. s. 4511.203).
Street racing (R.C. s. 4511.251).
Stopping for stopped school bus (R.C. s. 4511.75).
Stopping after accident on public roads or highways (R.C. 4549.02).
Stopping after accident on other than public roads or highways (R.C. 4549.021).
Operating vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (R.C. s. 4511.19), if the commission does not involve an injury or death to another or damage to property.