Warren County Court of Common Pleas Bail Bonds & Bond Information

After arraignment at Warren County Court of Common Pleas

Initial arraignment and the first setting of bond in Warren County happen at the court with jurisdiction over the offense, not at Common Pleas. For misdemeanors this is the Warren County Court (550 Justice Drive, Lebanon — serving Springboro and several villages), the Lebanon Municipal Court, the Franklin Municipal Court, or the Mason Municipal Court. For felonies, the defendant's first appearance is before a municipal or county court judge/magistrate, who explains the charges and rights. At that hearing a judge sets bond, weighing factors such as the seriousness of the charge, the defendant's criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight or nonappearance. The felony case then moves forward through a preliminary hearing or a grand jury indictment; if the defendant is bound over, the Warren County Court of Common Pleas (500 Justice Drive, Lebanon) assumes jurisdiction over the felony for further proceedings, including any subsequent bond determinations. The Common Pleas General Division hears felony criminal cases as well as major civil matters.