Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is dedicated to effectively representing the citizens of Hamilton County, its governmental agencies and elected officials as authorized by the laws of the state of Ohio.
Victim/Witness Services
Victim Advocate
Kim Schneidt
(513) 946-3186
Kim.Schneidt@hcpros.org
Fax : (513) 946-3282
The Victim & Witness Advocate Program works with victims and witnesses to keep them advised of the criminal law process and the status of their cases. The victim witness advocates work in the Common Pleas, Municipal and Juvenile Courts.
Advocates will sit with victims in courtrooms during trial. They also serve as a liaison for counseling and compensation sources. Notification of defendant release dates from prison is also provided.
Kids Court Booklet
Testifying in court is a stressful event for anyone but for children the experience can be traumatic. The criminal court process is overwhelming and confusing for most people. It is a process filled with adult topics, language and procedures. One way to reduce the anxiety a child feels when they are asked to testify is to prepare him or her for the experience.
With this in mind, we designed this booklet to introduce and familiarize children, as well as parents and caregivers, with the criminal court procedure so that it will make the process of testifying a little less intimidating.
Feel free to print and share this information.
In order to make a public records request with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, please submit the following form:
LINK
To find out if a person is in jail, please contact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Jail Records, at (513) 946-6300.
The Prosecutor’s Office is not permitted to provide legal advice to the general public. If you seek more information you may contact the Public Defender’s Office at (513) 946-3700, or the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at (513) 946-8213.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office opens at 8:00 A.M. and closes at 4:00 P.M., excluding weekends and holidays.
Please contact the Hamilton County Clerk of Court by going to www.courtclerk.org. If you wish to call the Clerk’s Office, please call (513) 946-5675 for felony criminal cases or (513) 946-6010 for misdemeanor criminal cases.
If you are the victim of a crime or believe a crime has occurred, please contact the police department where the offense occurred. The police will investigate and file a complaint if sufficient evidence is found. These complaints are then forwarded to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for prosecution. Please note that you cannot drop charges after you have signed a complaint. Only the assistant prosecuting attorney, with the judge’s permission, can dismiss criminal charges.
Generally the prosecutor assigned to handle your case will meet with you outside of the courtroom where the case is scheduled. If your case is a felony or misdemeanor criminal case, they will be heard in the Hamilton County Courthouse. Look at the subpoena you received for the location of the court appearance. Generally the judge’s name, courtroom number and the prosecutor’s name appear on your subpoena. Please wait outside the assigned courtroom at the assigned time and the prosecutor will contact you.
A victim advocate is an employee of the Prosecutor’s Office who provides assistance to victims of crime. The advocate acts as a liaison between the victim or witness and the assistant prosecuting attorney. Advocates understand the criminal process and will attempt to explain each step of the criminal process to the victim or witness and answer any questions they might have.
It is not necessary for you to have an attorney present if you are a victim or witness on a pending criminal case. The assistant prosecuting attorney handling your case will pursue the criminal charges. However, you may retain your own personal attorney if you so desire.
Employers will generally permit subpoenaed witnesses to appear in court without any job related problems; however, it is recommended that you contact your human relations department. You will receive a witness fee for appearing, provided the assistant prosecuting attorney has authorized payment.
If you are subpoenaed to court as a victim or witness and you do not appear, the judge assigned to the case may not permit a continuance and the case will be dismissed. If you are the defendant and you fail to appear in court, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
If you receive a subpoena you are required by law to appear as instructed. A subpoena is an order by a Court requiring you to appear for a scheduled court date. If you refuse to appear, the Court does have the authority to issue an order for your arrest.
More information on Subpoenas