Initial Appearance / Arraignment | Garfield Heights Municipal Court

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Initial Appearance / Arraignment

The purpose of the initial appearance is to present the charges against you, explain your rights, and give you a chance to enter a plea.

Your initial appearance is your first chance to make a good impression. You must attend your initial appearance. Make sure you arrive at court on time, that you are dressed appropriately, and that you have a respectful attitude.

The initial appearance is not the time to present your defense. You will have the opportunity to present your evidence and testimony during the trial proceedings.

If you are in court for a traffic violation, the court will let you know that if you get convicted a record of the conviction will be sent to the OBMV and become part of your driving record.

GHMC Local Rules of Court

General Rules

Court Costs 1 Scope and effective date 2 Hours of regular operation 3 File management 4 Costs and filing fees 5 Pleadings and motions 6 Facsimile filing 7 Electronic filing 8 Appearance and withdrawal of counsel 9 Continuances 10 Recording of proceedings 11 Conditions for recording / broadcasting 12 Decorum and conduct 13 Random Judge Draw Deviation and Log

Criminal/ Traffic Division

14 Appearance of the defendant 15 Video hearings 16 Motion practice 17 Case management 18 Jury instructions 19 Sentencing 20 Community Control Sanctions 21 Violations Bureau 22 Selective Intervention Program

Civil Division

23 Security for costs/deposit for jury trial 24 Leave to move or plead 25 Motion practice 26 Disposition of motions 27 Case management 28 Trials 29 Trial briefs and jury instructions 30 Notification of settlements 31 Default judgment 32 Satisfaction of judgment 33 Forcible entry and detainer actions 33 Forcible entry and detainer actions 33.1 Motion to Seal Eviction Record 35 Proceedings in aid of execution 36 Traffic Camera Tickets

Small Claims Division

37 Authority 38 Purpose 39 Jurisdiction 40 Corporation as a party 41 Pleadings 42 Counterclaims and cross-claims 43 Third party claims 44 Continuances 45 Dismissals 46 Subpoenas 47 Transfers to the regular civil docket 48 Other pretrial motions 49 Trial 50 Evidence at trial 51 Objections to the magistrate’s decision