SCAM ALERT
Scammers sometimes attempt to impersonate court officials and law enforcement to deceive people. Common scams include false claims that you missed jury duty and must make a payment to avoid arrest and fraudulent claims that a court case requires immediate payment. Please know that this Court does not order people to make payments unless there has either been a court hearing or unless people have had an opportunity to make a written submission for the Court to consider. If you are in doubt, call the Court to confirm.
Introduction
The Stark County Pre-Trial Services Program was established in 1973 as a pre-conviction component of the Court of Common Pleas General Division. The program also serves the Alliance, Canton and Massillon Municipal Courts. The program provides information to the courts to assist in making pre-trial release decisions regarding individuals who have been arrested and charged with criminal offenses. The program also monitors those individuals released under its supervision as a way to protect the community, reduce unnecessary pre-trial detention and enhance court appearance rates.
Eligibility
All arrestees charged with felonies and or misdemeanor crimes of violence processed into a county or city booking detention center.
Staff
The Stark County Pre-Trial Services presently employs eight staff members: a director, an assistant director, five Pre-Trial officers and an administrative assistant.
Description
The Pre-Trial Program maintains a stance of neutrality. No assumptions are made regarding innocence or guilt. For those seeking release prior to trial an interview and background investigation are required. The program's function is to provide the courts with verified data pertinent to the defendant's character, reliability, community ties, family ties, past record and current charges. Factors, which can possibly lead to a defendant's pre-trial release, are outlined in Ohio R. Crim. P. 46(c) (Anderson 2010).
Through the compilation of background information in conjunction with appropriate risk instruments, a recommendation regarding an arrestee is given to the Arraigning Judge based on the criteria mentioned above. Upon release, the Pre-Trial Program can employ a variety of levels of supervision and conditions. Pre-Trial Services monitors the defendant's progression through the criminal process; providing updated evaluations to the court and addressing any concerns that may impact bond recommendations or release status.
Prior to interviewing a defendant, the Pre-Trial officer explains the penalty as specified in Ohio Rev. Code § 2937.99 (Anderson 2010) , for violating the condition of release on an ‘Own Recognizance Bond' and requires each defendant to sign a form stating that he or she understands this penalty before proceeding.
Pre-Trial Services is also the liaison office for the Stark County Courts in identifying potential Drug Court (Chance Program), TIP (Theft Intervention Program), and Veterans Treatment Court (Honor Court) candidates, and making appropriate referrals.
Directions
The Pre-Trial Services Program is located at:
201 Cleveland Ave. SW, Suite 102
Canton, Ohio 44702
From the North (Cleveland, Akron)
Take I-77 South to exit 105 for OH-172/Tuscarawas St. toward Downtown
Turn left on to Tuscarawas St.
Slight right onto 3rd St. SW
Turn left onto Cleveland Ave. SW
(Destination is on the left at the corner of Cleveland Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW)
From the South (New Philadelphia, Cambridge)
Take I-77 North to exit 103 for OH-800 S/Cleveland Ave.
Turn left onto Cleveland Ave. SW
(Destination is on the left at the corner of Cleveland Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW)
From the East (Alliance, Louisville)
Take Route 62 West to I-77 South/US-62 West
Merge onto I-77 S/US 62W
Take exit 105 for OH-172/Tuscarawas St. toward Downtown
Turn left on to Tuscarawas St.
Slight right onto 3rd St. SW
Turn left onto Cleveland Ave. SW
(Destination is on the left at the corner of Cleveland Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW)
From the West (Wooster, Mansfield)
Take US 30 East toward Canton
Take OH-43 N/Cherry Ave. SE
Turn Left onto 2nd St. SE
Take 2nd St. to Cleveland Ave. SW
(Destination is on the left at the corner of Cleveland Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW)
From Columbus
Take I-71 North (signs for Cleveland)
Take exit 176 to merge onto US 30 E toward Wooster
Through Wooster, continue on US 30 East toward Canton
Take OH-43 N/Cherry Ave. SE
Turn Left onto 2nd St. SE
Take 2nd St. to Cleveland Ave. SW
(Destination is on the left at the corner of Cleveland Ave. SW and 2nd St. SW)
Parking:
Metered parking is available around the perimeter of the building.
Pre-Trial Services Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the criteria taken into consideration are: ties to the community, length of residency, nature of offense and prior criminal history.
Typically, a Pre-Trial officer will require a defendant to adhere to a specific reporting schedule, which may include telephone and/or personal contact with the pre-trial office. The officer will monitor the defendant's compliance with conditions of release.
If you are placed on Pre-Trial bond supervision you will remain under supervision and all conditions apply while the case is pending trial and through the disposition including pleading guilty and waiting for a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) report, unless otherwise amended by the Judge.
If you violate the conditions of your bond, your bond may be revoked or more restrictive conditions can be placed upon you.
No. You will need to speak with the prosecutor assigned to that corresponding court to ask for it to be lifted.
When the case has been adjudicated (pronounced or decreed by judicial sentence).