CARROLL COUNTY
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQ)
General Questions
Q: What does the Prosecutor
do?
The prosecutor prosecutes criminal action that violates state
laws and represents Carroll County as its civil
attorney. See also the Duties page for more information.
Q: How do I contact the Prosecutor's
Office?
You can send mail to the Prosecutor at 49
Public Square, Carrollton, OH 44615
You can telephone the Prosecutor at (330)
627-4555
You can fax the Prosecutor at (330) 627-4591
You can email the Prosecutor at ccpd@raex.com
Q: How do I know if my problem
is a criminal or civil one?
If your problem deals with the criminal laws of the State of Ohio
(e.g. theft, assault, murder) then the prosecutor will be more than happy
to assist you. If not then your problem is civil (e.g. landlord/tenant
problems, divorce, I sold somebody my property and they won't pay me).
Then you can either 1. contact a private attorney or 2. file a suit in
small claims court (if the amount in controversy is below $3000 and no
attorney is needed. See also civil section below for more information.
If you can not afford an attorney you might be eligible for free attorney
from the Southeastern Ohio Legal Services.
To see if you qualify call (330) 364-7769.
Q: How do I talk to about collecting
child support?
Contact the Carroll County Bureau of Support
at (330) 627-5357
Criminal Questions
Q: I have witnessed a crime
or have information about a crime?
You should contact either the police department in the town that
you live in or if you live outside of a town call the Carroll
County Sheriff's Office at (330) 627-2141
Q: I have information about someone
who has a warrant out for their arrest- who can I talk to?
Call the Carroll County Sheriff's Department
or the police department where you live.
Q: My spouse, family member, or
person that I am living with abuses me. what can I do?
First call the Carroll County Sheriff
or Police Department that covers your area where you live. The Prosecutor
will follow up in the appropriate cases with prosecution which may also
include the issuance of a Temporary Protection Order (TPO). See also
the Victim's Assistance Page.
Q: What is the difference between
a "Temporary Protection Order" a "Restraining
Order" and a "no-contact order?"
They all do the basic same thing. They all are orders by the
court for a person to stop doing something such as stay away from a person.
Q: How do I know if I qualify
to obtain a Temporary Protection Order?
The Prosecutor can only obtain a Temporary Restraining Order in
domestic violence cases. A person can still obtain a civil restraining
order by themselves. See below for more information.
Q: How do I know when I need to
show up for court?
If you witness an incident that becomes a criminal case and a trial
is going to occur you will be notified by a subpoena. The subpoena
will tell you when and where to go. If you are the victim of a crime,
the Carroll County Victim's
Assistance Program will notify you of when and where you need
to go.
Q: I received a subpoena and do
not want to testify or can't testify on that day.
A subpoena is an order by the court for you to show up and testify.
Not obeying a subpoena is contempt of court and a person can be punished
with jail time and/or fines.
Q: How do I drop charges?
Once charges have been filed ONLY the Judge
can dismiss them.
Q: How do I find out if a Defendant
is still in jail?
Contact the Carroll County Sheriff's Department
or the Police Department where the Defendant is being held.
Q: Who do I talk to about Restitution
payments owed to me?
Contact the Carroll County Victims Assistance
Program at (330) 627-5148 or (800) 589-2029. See also
the Victim's Assistance Page.
Q: Who do I talk to about Victim's Compensation
for hospital bills, lost wages, etc...?
Contact the Carroll County Victims Assistance Program at (330) 627-5148
or (800) 589-2029. See also the Victim's Assistance
Page.
Q: What if I can't afford an attorney
to represent me in my criminal case?
The United States Supreme Court in Gideon v. Wainwright held
that if a person can not afford an attorney that one will be appointed
for them. To find out if you qualify for a court appointed attorney
call the Joint County Public Defenders Office
at (330) 364-1811.
Civil Questions
Q: How do I get a civil restraining
order?
If someone if harassing you, such as a ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend,
or an neighbor, then you can go to the Carroll
County Court on the 3rd floor of the Courthouse in Carrollton
and ask to get a civil restraining order. We would recommend that
you talk to an attorney and have him/her file the necessary paper work
for you.
Q: I live in Carroll County.
Who do I talk to about my divorce?
We recommend that you should call a private attorney, look in the
yellow pages for the nearest one to you. If you can not afford an
attorney you might be eligible for free attorney from the Southeastern
Ohio Legal Services. To see if you qualify call (330)
364-7769. You can also call the Court of
Common Pleas at (330) 627-2450 or visit them in person on the
4th floor of the Carroll County Courthouse.
Q: Who do I talk to about a bad
check?
Collection on a bad check is a civil matter but unlike most other
counties in Ohio the Carroll County Prosecutor's
Office provides a service to help on collecting of bad checks.
Contact our office at (330) 627-4555 to see if you qualify?
Q: Who do I talk to about a landlord/tenant
problem?
We recommend that you call a private attorney. If you can
not afford an attorney you might be eligible for free attorney from the
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services.
To see if you qualify call (330) 364-7769.
Q: Who do I talk to about problems
with a contractor, shop keeper, or other person who provides products or
services?
We recommend that you call a private attorney. If you can
not afford an attorney you might be eligible for free attorney from the
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services.
To see if you qualify call (330) 364-7769.
