Franklin County Municipal Court Criminal Defense Attorney

Misdemeanor charges at Franklin County Municipal Court (375 S. High St.)? Assault, theft, domestic violence, drug possession. Jwayyed Law LLC. Call (614) 285-5482.

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Criminal Misdemeanor Defense at Franklin County Municipal Court

Franklin County Municipal Court at 375 S. High Street, Columbus is Ohio's busiest misdemeanor court — processing tens of thousands of criminal cases each year from Columbus and every Franklin County municipality. Every misdemeanor criminal charge in Franklin County eventually passes through this courthouse, whether filed directly or transferred from a suburb mayor's court. Assault, domestic violence, theft, shoplifting, drug possession, disorderly conduct, open container, criminal damaging — these charges are handled daily in the courtrooms on floors 12 through 15. A conviction at Franklin County Municipal Court is a real criminal conviction with lasting record consequences. Jwayyed Law LLC provides experienced criminal misdemeanor defense at Franklin County Municipal Court. Call (614) 285-5482 as soon as you receive a summons or are released from custody.

Franklin County Municipal Court — Court Overview

Franklin County Municipal Court is located at 375 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, occupying floors 12 through 15 of the Franklin County courthouse complex. The court's main number is (614) 645-8186, and the clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court exercises jurisdiction over all misdemeanor criminal cases arising in Franklin County, including transfers from the thirteen active suburb mayor's courts (Bexley, Canal Winchester, Dublin, Grove City, Groveport, Hilliard, Obetz, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Whitehall, and Worthington) as well as all cases from Columbus, Grandview Heights, Marble Cliff, and New Albany, which route directly to the Municipal Court.

The court is also the venue for all Administrative License Suspension (ALS) appeals, which must be filed within 30 days of an OVI arrest. Franklin County Municipal Court handles civil cases up to $15,000 and small claims up to $6,000, but the criminal and OVI dockets are the primary focus of our practice at this courthouse.

Criminal Charges We Defend at Franklin County Municipal Court

Jwayyed Law LLC defends the full range of misdemeanor criminal charges at Franklin County Municipal Court:

  • Assault (R.C. 2903.13) — M1 misdemeanor with M1 mandatory minimum, felony escalation if victim is protected class
  • Domestic Violence (R.C. 2919.25) — M1 baseline, permanent Lautenberg Amendment firearm prohibition upon conviction
  • Theft and Shoplifting (R.C. 2913.02) — M1 for amounts up to $1,000, civil demand letters, retail employer consequences
  • Drug Possession (R.C. 2925.11) — misdemeanor amounts, ILC eligibility, Fourth Amendment suppression issues
  • Marijuana Possession — above adult-use limits, under-21 possession, weight determination challenges
  • Disorderly Conduct (R.C. 2917.11) — MM baseline, M4 if intoxicated or persistent
  • Open Container (R.C. 4301.62) — vehicle and public place citations, ORA zone edge cases

Diversion, ILC, and Alternatives to Conviction at FCMC

Franklin County Municipal Court operates several programs that allow eligible first-time offenders to avoid a permanent criminal conviction. Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (ILC) under R.C. 2951.041 is available for drug-related or substance-driven offenses where the defendant agrees to complete a treatment program. Successful ILC completion results in case dismissal. Pre-trial diversion is separately available through the prosecutor's office for certain first-time, low-level offenses. Our firm evaluates ILC and diversion eligibility in every criminal case and pursues these alternatives where they serve the client's interests.

Franklin County Municipal Court also operates specialty dockets — including a drug court, mental health docket, and veterans court — for defendants whose criminal conduct is driven by underlying health or service-related issues. These dockets offer intensive supervision and support in exchange for avoiding incarceration. Our firm evaluates specialty docket eligibility and advocates for placement in appropriate cases.

Why Franklin County Municipal Court Cases Require Experienced Counsel

Franklin County Municipal Court processes one of the highest volumes of criminal cases of any court in Ohio. The court moves efficiently — arraignments, pretrial hearings, and trial dates follow tight schedules. Prosecutors at this court are experienced and handle high caseloads; they respond well to defense counsel who have reviewed the case thoroughly and come to negotiations with a clear factual and legal position. Defense attorneys who appear regularly at FCMC understand the specific procedures, docket assignment practices, and how particular judges handle suppression motions, plea negotiations, and sentencing.

Contact Jwayyed Law LLC at (614) 285-5482 or schedule a consultation. Our firm defends the full range of criminal misdemeanor charges at Franklin County Municipal Court.

Frequently Asked Questions

Franklin County Municipal Court (375 S. High St., Columbus) handles all misdemeanor criminal cases arising in Franklin County, including assault (R.C. 2903.13), domestic violence (R.C. 2919.25), theft and shoplifting (R.C. 2913.02), drug possession (R.C. 2925.11), disorderly conduct (R.C. 2917.11), open container (R.C. 4301.62), criminal trespass (R.C. 2911.21), criminal damaging (R.C. 2909.06), menacing (R.C. 2903.22), and violations of protection orders (R.C. 2919.27). It also handles cases transferred from Franklin County suburb mayor's courts when charges exceed a mayor's court's jurisdiction.
Misdemeanor penalties at Franklin County Municipal Court follow the Ohio Revised Code sentencing structure. First-degree misdemeanors (M1): up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. Second-degree misdemeanors (M2): up to 90 days and fines up to $750. Third-degree misdemeanors (M3): up to 60 days and fines up to $500. Fourth-degree misdemeanors (M4): up to 30 days and fines up to $250. Minor misdemeanors: no jail time, fines up to $150. The court also has broad sentencing options including probation, community service, treatment programs, and other alternatives to incarceration.
Franklin County Municipal Court is located at 375 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, on floors 12 through 15 of the Franklin County Common Pleas courthouse. The court's phone number is (614) 645-8186. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Criminal arraignments are typically held on weekday mornings. Our firm appears regularly at Franklin County Municipal Court and is familiar with the court's scheduling and procedures.
Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (ILC) under R.C. 2951.041 is a diversion program available at Franklin County Municipal Court for first-time offenders charged with drug-related offenses or offenses driven by substance use or mental health issues. Upon successful completion of the ILC program — including treatment, drug testing, and any other court conditions — the charge is dismissed without a conviction. ILC eligibility requires prosecutor consent and court approval. Our firm evaluates ILC availability in every drug possession and substance-related misdemeanor case at FCMC.
Yes. Most misdemeanor convictions from Franklin County Municipal Court are eligible for expungement under R.C. 2953.32. Waiting periods from final discharge: minor misdemeanors — six months; M4 through M1 misdemeanors — one year. The expanded provisions of H.B. 96 (effective September 30, 2025) increased the number of convictions that can be sealed and reduced barriers to eligibility. OVI convictions and domestic violence convictions are not eligible for expungement under Ohio law. Our firm handles expungement petitions at Franklin County Municipal Court.
Domestic violence charges at Franklin County Municipal Court are prosecuted by the Columbus City Attorney's office (for Columbus arrests) or the Franklin County Prosecutor (for unincorporated Franklin County arrests). Prosecution typically proceeds regardless of whether the alleged victim wishes to proceed. Ohio law also requires the court to inquire about firearms possession and may impose firearm restrictions. A domestic violence conviction permanently triggers the Lautenberg Amendment firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). Our firm pursues non-DV resolutions — including disorderly conduct pleas — in appropriate cases to protect clients from these permanent consequences.
Franklin County Municipal Court is Ohio's busiest misdemeanor court, processing thousands of criminal cases per year. Cases move quickly, deadlines are strict, and the prosecutors and court have established practices that defense counsel must understand to achieve the best outcomes. Jwayyed Law LLC practices regularly at Franklin County Municipal Court and knows the local prosecutors, judges, and court procedures. Whether the charge is assault, theft, domestic violence, drug possession, or disorderly conduct, we pursue every available avenue — dismissal, diversion, reduction, or suppression — to protect your record. Call (614) 285-5482.
Even for minor misdemeanor charges, representation is valuable. A minor misdemeanor conviction creates a criminal record that appears on background checks, affects professional licensing, and can be used against you in future proceedings. A defense attorney can often secure dismissal, diversion, or a plea arrangement that avoids a conviction record entirely — outcomes that are far more difficult to achieve without counsel. For any criminal charge at Franklin County Municipal Court, consulting with an attorney before your first court date costs nothing and protects your options.

Franklin County & Ohio – Locations We Serve

We serve clients in the following Ohio counties. Click through for court information and local details.

Franklin CountyColumbus & surrounding areasDelaware CountyDelaware & surrounding areasButler CountyHamilton, Oxford, West ChesterGreene CountyFairborn & surrounding areasMontgomery CountyDayton & surrounding areasPickaway CountyCircleville & surrounding areasAthens CountyAthens & surrounding areasMorrow CountyMount Gilead, Cardington & surrounding areasClinton CountyWilmington & surrounding areas

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Contact Jwayyed Law LLC today to schedule a consultation. We're here to help you understand your legal rights and options.

(614) 285-5482jwayyedlawllc@outlook.com
100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, Ohio 43235