Criminal Information
Criminal Division
Minor misdemeanors criminal offenses can be “waivered” meaning that you admit guilt and pay your fines and court costs by mail, on-line or at the Clerks office without making a court appearance in front of the judge. Most other criminal offenses REQUIRE a court appearance under the law. Below is a list of pleas and their meanings, a list of cases that require a court appearance and a list of waiverable citations and their costs.
Pleas
- Guilty - If you plead guilty, you waive certain rights and the court will hear your case immediately. The court will make its decision based on the facts of the arresting officer. You will be allowed to explain any circumstances that you feel the court should take into consideration before imposing sentence.
- No Contest - If you plead no contest, you are admitting that the facts of the case are true but that admission cannot be used against you in any civil lawsuit (in cases like an assault where someone was injured). Again, the court will make its decision based on the facts of the arresting officer. You will be allowed to explain any circumstances that you feel the court should take into consideration before imposing sentence.
- Not Guilty - If you plead not guilty your case will be continued to a later date for a pre-trial conference held with the prosecutor or a trial to the court. If you are requesting a trial by jury you must submit that request in writing. An attorney is not required but you may choose to be represented. If you plan to be represented, you must contact your attorney immediately.
Your case will be set on the next available date as determined by the court. If you have conflicts with the date set you or your attorney must immediately file a motion for continuance in writing with the court. You can locate this pleading under forms in the criminal division. Waivers must be paid in full – NO PARTIAL PAYMENTS. If you cannot pay the full amount prior to your court date, you must appear in court at your assigned time.
Waiverable Offenses
The following criminal charges may be “waivered” by paying the amount shown next to the citation. Waivers must be paid in full – NO PARTIAL PAYMENTS. If you cannot pay the full amount prior to your court date, you must appear in court at your assigned time.
| Charge | Bond Amount |
|---|---|
| Disorderly Conduct | $185.00 |
| Open Container | $185.00 |
| *Possession | $185.00 |
* This Charge holds a mandatory license suspension of six months.
You may waive the above listed charges by paying the amount listed by several methods:
- Click Here To Pay With A Credit Card Now
- You may pay with check, cash, or credit card by visiting Bryan Municipal Court at 1399 East High Street, Bryan, OH 43506.
- You may pay with check, credit card or money order by mailing your payment to Bryan Municipal Court, P.O. Box 546, Bryan, OH 43506.
If paying by check please be aware that the court cannot accept “starter checks” with no pre-printed check number or no pre-printed account holder information. Checks must have your current address and telephone number listed. For proper credit please write your ticket number in the memo line.
Posting Bond
If the defendant is incarcerated, bond may be posted per the court’s bond schedule. You may inquire as to the bond by calling the court or when the court is closed you may call Bryan Police Department at (419) 636-4233. After the defendant has appeared in court, the bond amount may differ from the bond schedule. Please check with the court for accurate bond information.
Bond may be posted at the Court from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and at Bryan Police Department, 103 North Beech Street, Bryan, Ohio at all other times. Bryan Police Department can accept cash and credit card bond on misdemeanor traffic and/or criminal cases. Credit card access fees will apply and are non-refundable. Felony bonds may only be posted in cash. The police department is not authorized to accept surety bonds.
The bond will be held by the court until the case is concluded. At conclusion, the court will retain ten percent of the bond regardless of the outcome of the matter per state statute.
Please remember that the Clerk and deputy clerks of the court are not attorneys and cannot give you legal advice or instruct you on how to properly defend yourself in court.