Common Pleas Court Report April  2008

Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles D. Steele has released the following report of the court’s activities for the month of April, 2008.
21 Defendants were arraigned on felony criminal charges as a result of indictments issued by the Grand Jury or Bills of Information presented by the Prosecuting Attorney.

    The Court conducted 51 criminal pretrial conferences, 10 Defendants were convicted as a result of trial or
guilty pleas. 2 Criminal Jury Trials were held. 16 Motion hearings were held. No Trials to Court were conducted.  2 Search Warrants were signed by Judge Steele in April. 14 Defendants were sentenced to incarceration with the Ohio Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Western Ohio Regional Treatment and Habilitation Center (WORTH), the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, or Electronically Monitored House Arrest. 9 Defendants were placed under Community Control Intensive Supervision under the supervision of the Van Wert
County Adult Probation Department. The Adult Probation Department supervised a total of 166 probationers presently under
Community Control Sanctions and defendants released on bond pending disposition of pending criminal proceedings.

    There were 182 required-reporting visits by probationers and defendants on bond. The department conducted 11 drug tests, and there were 390 hours of community service work completed by probationers under supervision of the Probation Department. 1 Probationer had their probation revoked for violations of Community Control Sanctions. No defendant had their bond revoked for violation of bond conditions. 5 Probationers successfully completed their terms of probation and were released.

    The court collected $ 4,222.67 in fines and court costs.  72% of the probationers were gainfully employed with the assistance of the probation  department. The remaining 28% comprise probationers who are retired, under disability, laid off, or who have absconded from the county and have active arrest warrants issued against them.Judge Steele reported 61 civil cases were filed during the month. The court conducted no Trial to Court, held 17 pretrial conferences, and heard 32 motions. 15 Cases were dismissed due to the parties reaching a settlement. Judgment was rendered in 33 cases. 2 Cases were terminated by Summary Judgment. 1 Civil case was referred to mediation/arbitration. No Civil Jury Trial was held this month. 2 Trials to the Court were conducted.18 Domestic Relations cases were filed during the month.

    Domestic Relations Magistrate, Joseph Quatman, conducted 23 pretrial conferences and 22 hearings on motions regarding modification of custody or visitation. 2 Civil Protective Orders were filed, and there were 9 Final Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage hearings. 1 Case was referred to mediation regarding issues of custody, visitation, and property. The court also heard 6 cases presented by the Child Support Enforcement Agency for collection of delinquent court-ordered child support payments.

    Judge Steele was visiting judge in Montgomery County this month.