The Paulding County Court’s Victims Assistance Unit’s mission is to assist persons who have been victimized by crime in Paulding County. The Victims Assistance Unit will carry-out the special needs of the crime victims/survivors and their right to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity.

The Victims Assistance Unit is a crisis intervention 24/7 for rape victims and for domestic violence where the victim is seeking shelter. The Unit will provide the victim with transportation, clothing and information pertaining to court procedures. For more information on The Victims Assistance Unit, click on the links below.

Victims of crime should realize they are not helpless bystanders in the criminal justice system. Victims have specific rights from the time of the crime. If you have been a victim of a crime, you could be eligible to receive Victims Assistance services.

Eligible Victims: ALL felony crimes against people and property, and the following misdemeanor crimes:

1. Domestic Violence
2. Assault
3. Vehicular Homicide
4. Negligent Homicide
5. Sexual Imposition
6. Menacing by Stalking
7. Menacing
8. Aggravated Menacing
9. Intimidation

Required notices if requested by Victim:
A victim has a right to be notified of information regarding the case either orally or in writing. A letter including the name of the defendant, the offense and the case number will be sent to each victim. It is the responsibility of each victim to request notification, if desired, and to maintain a current address or phone number with the agency responsible for notification (2930.03C). If the victim is unable to receive notification, the victim has a right to select a representative to receive these notices on the victim’s behalf, (2930.06(B)).

If you have any questions or are in need of any additional
information regarding your rights, you should contact:
Angel N. Pease, Victims Assistance Specialist
Phone: 419-399-4476.
Email: apease@pauldingcountycourt.com

1. to Receive Current Information About the Criminal Investigation
2. to be Notified When the Offender is Arrested or Released Before Trial
3. to Reasonable Return of Property
4. to Information From and Meaningful Discussions With the Prosecutor
5. to be Free from Intimidation
6. to Meaningful Participation During the Trial
7. to Make a Statement at Sentencing About the Impact of the Crime
8. to Participate in Criminal Proceedings Without Jeopardizing Employment Status
9. to Receive Notice if Violent Offender Escapes Custody Before Trial or Sentencing
10. to Receive Information After Sentencing
11. to Information and Input About Adult Defendant’s Incarceration and Parole Status
12. to certain rights after being victimized by a Juvenile Offender (talk to the Victims Assistance Specialist regarding these rights)
13. to Request an Anti-Stalking Protection Order
14. to Special Rights of Victims of Sexual Abuse (talk to the Victims Assistance Specialist)
15. to Special Rights of Victims of Domestic Violence (talk to the Victims Assistance Specialist)
16. to Special Rights of Victims of Child Abuse (talk to the Victims Assistance Specialist)
17. to Offender’s Movie or Book Profits
18. to Compensation for Economic Losses Resulting from Crime

If you have any questions or are in need of any additional
information regarding your rights, you should contact:
Angel N. Pease, Victims Assistance Specialist
Phone: 419-399-4476.
Email: apease@pauldingcountycourt.com

Acquit: to find a defendant no guilty in a criminal trial.

Appeal: the process by which the convicted person asks for a review of a conviction by a higher Court.

Arraignment: the initial court appearance of the accused, to inform the accused of the charges and to take a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest to the charge.

Bail: an amount of money determined by the Judge and posted with the Court Clerk as security to ensure the defendant’s appearance in Court at a specific time.

Charge: formal accusation of having committed a criminal offense.

Civil Action: a lawsuit to enforce private rights, to obtain compensation for a violation of those rights, or to recover monetary damages. A civil action is brought directly by the person who is complaining, usually with the help of a private attorney. Civil actions are all types of actions that are not criminal proceedings.

Complaint: 1) (criminal) Formal written charge alleging that a person has committed a criminal offense. 2) (civil) Initial document entered by the plaintiff that states the claims against the defendant.

Costs: an allowance for expenses in prosecuting or defending a case in Court, not including attorney fees.

Defendant: the person who is being prosecuted.

Evidence: any form of proof legally presented at a trial usually through witnesses, records or documents.

Grand Jury: a group of persons whose duty is to receive complaints and accusations in criminal cases, hear the prosecutor’s evidence and decide whether that evidence is sufficient to issue an indictment.

Hearing: an in-court proceeding before a Judge, generally open to the public.

Hung Jury: a jury whose members cannot agree on a verdict.

Judgment: the official decision of the Court; the final decision of the Court resolving legal questions, which can involve a finding of guilty or acquittal of the accused and the severity of the sentence.

Mental Distress: any mental illness or condition that involves some temporary substantial incapacity or mental illness or condition that would normally require psychiatric treatment. Mental distress is an element of the menacing by stalking crime.

Misdemeanor: an offense less serious than a felony with a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Mistrial: erroneous or invalid trial. Usually declared because of prejudicial error in the proceedings or when there was a hung jury. The defendant can face trial again after a mistrial.

Motion: an oral or written request made to a Court or Judge for the purpose of obtaining a ruling or order directing some act to be done.

Offender: a person accused of committing a criminal or delinquent act. The offender becomes known as the defendant after official criminal charges are filed with a Court. The offender becomes known as an alleged juvenile offender after delinquency charges are filed in juvenile court.

Plea: a defendant’s official statement of “guilty” “not guilty” or “no contest” to the charges. If the defendant enters a “guilty” or “no contest” plea, there will be no need for a trial.

Pre-sentence Investigation: investigation of the relevant background of a convicted offender, usually conducted by a probation officer and given to the Judge for use during sentencing. An impact statement by the victim is usually incorporated into this report.

Pre-trial: a meeting, before trial, between the prosecutor and the defense attorney to discuss the merits of the case, exchange information about witnesses and attempt to negotiate an appropriate resolution of the case. Many cases are finalized at pre-trial.

Probation: a period during which the defendant’s jail time or fine is suspended. During this time, the defendant is under Court supervision and must obey certain rules. If the defendant breaks any of these rules while on probation, the Court can then order him or her to serve the jail time.

Restitution: an order by a Court that requires the offender to pay for monetary loss, damage or injury.

Search Warrant: a written order, issued by a Judge, directing an officer to search a specified house or other place for evidence.

Sentencing: the judgment of a Court concerning the offender’s punishment, ranging from death, imprisonment, or fine to probation, restitution and community service.

Subpoena: a written command to appear at a certain time to give testimony or produce documentary evidence. Failure to comply with the subpoena can lead to an arrest or contempt of Court proceeding.
Summons: document or write directing the Sheriff or other officer to give notice that an action has been commenced against a person in Court and that an appearance is required by a certain day, to answer the complaint.

Testimony: any statement made by a witness under oath in a legal proceeding.

Verdict: formal decision made by a Judge or jury.

Victim: a person who has suffered an injury resulting fro the commission of a crime or delinquent act.

Victim Impact Statement: a written or oral statement regarding the impact of the crime on the victim – including the financial, physical and emotional consequences.

If you have any questions or are in need of any additional
information regarding your rights, you should contact:
Angel N. Pease, Victims Assistance Specialist
Phone: 419-399-4476.
Email: apease@pauldingcountycourt.com

Action Ohio Coalition for Battered Women
P.O. Box 15673
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 221-1255