Notice of Your Rights

Those of you who are here in Court today have been charged with an offense against the Ordinances of the City of the Village of Indian Hill. The Court wants you to be aware of your basic rights and that you are entitled to be informed of:

1. The nature of the charges against you; to read the Affidavit or Complaint filed against you, and if you do not understand the nature of the charges, to have them explained to you.
2. You have a right to know the identity of the Complainant
3. You have a right to be represented by counsel.
4. You have a right to a reasonable continuance in the proceedings to secure counsel.
5. You have a right to a trial by jury in certain cases, as long as a demand is made in written form.
6. You have a right to have a trial within 30 days of the date you were charged.

Rights When Not Represented by Counsel

If you are not represented by counsel and you are before the Court and called upon to plead, you have certain rights.

1. You have a right to counsel even if you intend to plead guilty, and the right to a reasonable continuance in the proceedings to secure counsel, pursuant to Criminal Rule 44. The Court may assign counsel to represent you, without cost to yourself if you are unable to employ counsel.
2. You have a right to bail, if the offense is bailable.
3. You need not make any statement in the proceeding, but any statement can and may be used against you.

Plea Options

• You may plead Guilty, Not Guilty, or No Contest.
• A Plea of Guilty is a complete admission of guilt.
• A Plea of No Contest is not an admission of guilt, but is an admission to the truth of the facts alleged in the Complaint. A No Contest Plea cannot be used against you in any subsequent Civil or Criminal Proceeding.

If you enter a Plea of Not Guilty, your case will be set for trial at a later date. You will have the right to present evidence on your own behalf. The City will present its evidence, and this Court will make a judgment as to your guilt or innocence.

Appeal

You have a right of appeal from the ruling of this Court. That appeal must be filed within 10 days of the judgment as provided by Section 1905.23 Ohio Revised Code.

Are you a U.S. Citizen?

If you are not a citizen, a conviction could result in your deportation or denial of citizenship.

I have read and understand this statement of rights. I hereby waive a jury trial and submit and request to be tried by the City of the Village of Indian Hill, Ohio, Mayor’s Court. If I enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest, I knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily give up my rights to employ an attorney, or to have one appointed for me. If I enter a plea of Guilty or No Contest, I also give up my rights set forth above, including to have my rights explained to me in open court.