Bond Schedule

In accordance with Criminal Rule 46 and R.C. 2937.222, the following bond schedule is adopted for all traffic and criminal cases in the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court when the person has been arrested. There shall be a presumption of pretrial release by the least restrictive means necessary to reasonably assure appearance in court and promote public safety.

Except as set forth below, for all charges, the defendant may be released on their own recognizance, to the appropriate governmental agency if there is an outstanding warrant, or to a responsible, sober person as the police deem appropriate, unless, based on the circumstances of the case, the prosecutor or police request a bond or condition of bond.

The judge or designated magistrate shall set bond for the following cases:

  1. All felonies
  2. The following misdemeanor charges regardless of whether charged under the Ohio Revised Code or the Codified Ordinances of the City of Cleveland Heights:
    1. Domestic Violence
    2. Assault
    3. Violation of any;
      1. Protection order, or
      2. Condition of community control/probation involving prohibition from contact with specific persons or places
    4. Aggravated menacing, menacing by stalking, or menacing
    5. Aggravated trespass
    6. Endangering children
    7. Arson
    8. Any offense involving a deadly weapon, firearm, or dangerous ordnance as those terms are defined by R.C. 2923.11 that is a misdemeanor of the first degree
    9. Any sexually oriented offense as defined by R.C. 2950.01
    10. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) where the allegation is a second or third in ten years. The bond shall be $2,500, 10% for all first in ten OVI charges
    11. Any other offense where the victim, police officer, or prosecutor is seeking a protection order, restrictions with no contact, or other conditions of bond

For all cases where the judge or designated magistrate must set the bond, and in all instances where the prosecutor or police officer requests a bond, the judge shall be contacted for additional authority.

Where the judge or magistrate has previously set a bail in a case, or has ordered a new bond in its last capias or warrant entry, that bail shall supersede the above bond schedule.

In all cases, a surety bond may be posted instead of a cash bond if the surety has been approved by the Clerk of the Court.

If a person is arrested for two or more offenses, a single bond set forth in the bond schedule applicable to the highest level of offense may apply to all charges unless a different bond is requested.

This bond schedule is effective October 1, 2019 and supersedes any and all previous bond scheduled of the Cleveland Heights Municipal Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Judge James Costello
September 30, 2019