Butler County Court of Common Pleas Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at Butler County Court of Common Pleas

Initial arraignment and the first bond setting for most Butler County arrests occur at the Area Courts (Area I and II, 345 High St., 2nd Floor, Hamilton; Area III, 9577 Beckett Rd #300, West Chester) through daily Video Initial Appearances, heard in the Magistrates' Courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Hamilton; the judge or magistrate sets bond and assigns a court date. The Court of Common Pleas, General Division (315 High St., Hamilton), is the felony trial court and handles bond and proceedings once a felony case reaches it. A judge setting bond considers factors such as the seriousness of the charge and risk of nonappearance; available bond types include own-recognizance, cash, 10% cash, property, and surety/insurance bonds. For felonies, the defendant is entitled to a preliminary hearing (within 10 days if in custody, 15 if not) unless it is waived in writing or a grand jury returns a direct indictment. If probable cause is found or the hearing is waived, the case is bound over to the Court of Common Pleas; alternatively the case may be dismissed or reduced to a misdemeanor.