Glossary of Terms

A written statement sworn to before a notary or persons with authority to administer oath.

A program that provides certain first time defendants with the opportunity to participate in a series of class-like sessions. The sessions cover a variety of topics relating to making good choices and avoiding legal troubles. After completing the program, the defendants are granted a dismissal and their cases are sealed.

The written reply to a charge or claim. Answers are filed on civil cases. The form can be found here. 

The initial appearance of a person accused of a crime before the court to be advised of the charge against him.

A written undertaking executed by a defendant of one or more sureties, guaranteeing, either by payment of a sum of money, or by acknowledging liability for a sum of money, that the defendant will make required appearances and otherwise make himself available to the court during legal proceedings.

More information on bonds can be found here. 

A warrant for arrest issued by a Judge or Magistrate when a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court appearance.

If a Judge determines there is probable cause in a felony case in this court, the felony case is bound over to the Lucas County Grand Jury. This means the case is sent over to Lucas County Common Pleas Court for prosecution.

A court order to a detention facility (such as the jail or a mental health facility) that a defendant in their custody be brought to court for a scheduled appearance.

CCNO is a detention center located in Stryker, Ohio that serves the City of Toledo and Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas and Williams Counties.

A document that gives evidence as to the facts stated in the final judgment of a lawsuit and certified by the clerk.

The postponement of a court proceeding in a case until a later date.

Identifies an unrecognized charge on a case that was converted from the previous computer system. This alerts Clerk's staff to investigate the case and correct the charge to the proper violation code.

A case that is designated as a Crime of Violence Against Women.

CTF stands for Correctional Treatment Facility. CTF is a Community Based Correctional Facility that provides treatment for non-violent felony offenders sentenced for up to six months.

The failure of a party to appear and defend him or herself in a court action that results in a decision against him or her.

Judgment taken against a party due to their failure to appear and defend themself as required.

The defendant and/or victim failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance.

The court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties to a case.

The requirement to carry insurance on all vehicles. If a person is caught driving a vehicle without insurance, he/she can be charged under this act.

The first cause is the eviction part of an eviction case. The landlord is asking the court to force a tenant to move.

Cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, commonly known as evictions. It is also called a FED.

A judgment being rendered outside the jurisdiction of the court that is being requested to act upon it.

A generic term for a court appearance that is not for a Prosecutor Pre-trial (PPT), Trial or Arraignment. The hearing could be held for many reasons, such as sentencing, probation violation, or review of the sentence.

A Judge orders a MOR bond and no money is posted. The defendant is monitored by the Lucas County Pretrial Services Department. He/she must call Lucas County Pre-trial services as ordered and follow any other conditions as indicated.

A written or oral request made by a party to the court. 

Driving without a valid Operators License

The prosecution issues a Nolle Prosequi during a criminal case before or during a trial to indicate that the case against the defendant is being dropped. It is used to terminate felony cases in Toledo Municipal Court. It is usually used because the defendant has been indicted directly by the Lucas County Grand Jury or because the State of Ohio has ran out of time to prosecute.

A dismissal

A Judge orders an OR bond and no money is posted. The defendant is required to sign a recognizance form indicating that he/she will appear in Court until the case is completed.

State of Ohio laws

A warrant that has not been executed.

A person who initiates a court action. Also referred to as complainant, claimant, or petitioner.

A document filed in the clerk’s office asking the court to perform some duty. Usually, a praecipe will be filed instructing the clerk to issue a subpoena.

A Prosecutor Pre-trail is held prior to a trial. Sometimes a case is resolved at the Prosecutor Pretrial and then there is no need for a Trial.

The Regional Addiction Diversion Program, known as RAD, is an inpatient treatment program at the Correctional Treatment Facility.

Rent escrow is a procedure established by Ohio law to help tenants take action against landlords who refuse to fix or maintain rental properties in a safe, habitable condition.

A filing that requests the Court reinstate the force of an old judgment.

A document signed by the party that is owed the money judgment stating that the full amount due on the judgment has been paid.

The second cause is the financial part of an eviction case. The landlord is asking the court for money for unpaid rent or damage the tenant has caused. Not all cases have a second cause. Although the first and second causes are filed together, there are separate hearings for each.

A court document ordering an individual to appear in court and give testimony.

A judgment that is entered in favor of one party without a trial.

A formal order that you need to appear in court at a specific time and date in order to respond to either a civil lawsuit or criminal charges that have been brought against you.

Driving with a Suspended Operator's License.

A Judge orders a SOR bond and no money is posted. The defendant is required to report to Lucas County Pre-trial Services as ordered and follow any other conditions as indicated. Lucas County Pretrial Services is located at 1100 Jefferson Avenue Toledo, Ohio 43624.

A court order protecting the Victim from a defendant in a criminal case. The case must have been a crime of violence. A motion needs to be filed with the case. A Judge then rules on the motion. If granted, the defendant must obey the terms of the TPO until the case is over.

City of Toledo laws.

A proceeding held in front of the court for the purpose of determining guilt or innocence.

A program created under the garnishment laws of the State of Ohio that permits a debtor to place debts into a trust to protect a paycheck from garnishment. Trusteeship does not prevent a creditor from collecting on a legal judgment by other means, such as bank garnishments or placing a lien on property. When in trusteeship, debtors pay a percentage of their pay to the Court each pay period. The Court then disburses this money to their creditors.

The legal process in which the property of a judgment debtor is seized and sold to satisfy a money judgment.

The legal document that gives the Court Bailiff authority to forcibly remove an individual from a property.