Erie County Court of Common Pleas Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at Erie County Court of Common Pleas

In Erie County, the initial arraignment and first bond determination usually occur in a municipal court rather than the Court of Common Pleas. The Sandusky Municipal Court (222 Meigs Street, Sandusky; 419-627-5920) handles misdemeanors, traffic, and ordinance violations arising in its territory, and the Huron Municipal Court (417 Main Street, Huron; 419-433-5430) does so for the Huron area; each can set bond at the first appearance. For felonies, the municipal court conducts the initial appearance and may hold a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause. The case is then presented to an Erie County grand jury; if an indictment is returned, the case is bound over to the Erie County Court of Common Pleas (General Division) for arraignment on the indictment and trial. A Common Pleas judge sets or reviews bond, weighing the seriousness of the charge, the defendant's ties to the community, prior record, flight risk, and public safety. Bond types may include recognizance (OR), cash, or surety bonds.