City of Columbus Citations

After your plea of not guilty is entered a Pre-Trial Conference will be scheduled with the prosecuting attorney. These appointments will be held by phone. At this meeting you will explain to the prosecutor why you believe you are not guilty of the offense you have been charged with. At this point the prosecutor may petition the court to amend the charges to a more fitting offense, dismiss the charges or set the matter for a trial before the Judge.

These Pre-Trial Conferences are mandatory. If you do not attend the conference as scheduled you will be found guilty of the offense as charged on your citation.

Any agreement made between the defendant and the prosecuting attorney must meet the approval of the Judge. If the Judge disapproves the agreement the matter will be set for a Trial before the court.