The City Attorney’s Office fulfills the City’s legal needs, serving as counsel to City Council, the City Manager, City departments, and various boards and commissions, in areas that include: code compliance, economic development, elections law, labor negotiations, human resource laws, zoning and land use, procurement and contracts, safety force issues, public records, telecommunications and taxation.
The office prosecutes misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses in Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court and Franklin County Municipal Court, as well as delinquent municipal taxes, and oversees the Upper Arlington Probation Division, as well as various mediation and diversion programs.
Criminal Diversion Program
The criminal mediation/diversion program is set up to assist with the processing of criminal cases. These cases may include charges that have already been filed or may be filed. There are also cases that are quasi-criminal in nature but include facts that would best be resolved outside the court system. The purpose of mediation/diversion is to come to an agreed settlement and not to argue the facts of the case.
Domestic Violence Diversion Program
We believe some of these cases are best resolved outside the criminal justice court system, where it is apparent that remedial steps can be taken to rectify the circumstances that gave rise to the incident. In some cases, it is believed a better outcome can be reached for all parties by allowing an alleged offender to participate in a domestic diversion program, provided the case meets a strict set of criteria for admittance to the program.
Environmental Diversion Program
The environmental mediation/diversion program assists with the processing of environmental/code violations. These cases may include charges that have already been filed, or may be filed. The goal is to come to an agreed settlement to avoid any further court action/involvement.
Traffic Diversion Program
The traffic diversion program assists with the processing of traffic cases. Admittance to the program is at the discretion of the prosecutor. If the prosecutor does not place a case in diversion, there is no appeal process. The program’s goal is to come to an agreed settlement and not to argue the facts of the case.
JUVENILE PROGRAMS
The purpose of these programs is to handle first time juvenile offenders within our community and prevent formal charges from being filed against them in the Franklin County Juvenile Court. Successful completion of the program by a juvenile means he/she has no criminal/traffic record. Failure in the program results in formal charges being filed. By allowing first time offenders to participate in either juvenile diversion program, it is hoped that further delinquent behavior will be prevented, and problems identified and treated early. The program benefits the child, his/her family, the schools, and the community.
Juvenile Criminal Diversion Program
The Upper Arlington Juvenile Diversion Program (UAJDP) handles first-time juvenile offenders who have committed criminal offenses within the City of Upper Arlington. The goal of UAJDP is to help juveniles avoid further involvement in crime, and/or inappropriate behaviors, by providing them with an understanding of the consequences of criminal behavior, and helping them learn to cope with life in a more appropriate manner. Admittance to the program is at the discretion of the Upper Arlington Police, the City Attorney, and/or the UAJDP Program Coordinator. The following factors may be considered for admission into the program: defendant’s prior record; aggravating circumstances involved in the crime; the police officer’s objection or request for diversion. If the Police, the City Attorney, and/or the UAJDP Program Coordinator decide not to place a case in diversion, there is no appeal process.
Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program
The Upper Arlington Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program (UAJTDP) helps juveniles avoid further traffic violations, involvement in crime, and/or inappropriate behaviors, by providing the juveniles with an understanding of the law and the consequences of violating the law. Admittance to the program is at the discretion of the Upper Arlington Police, the City Attorney, and/or the UAJTD Program Coordinator. The following factors may be considered for admission into the program: defendant’s prior record; aggravating circumstances involved in the stop; the police officer’s objection or request for diversion. If the Police, the City Attorney, and/or UAJTD Program Coordinator decide not to place a case in diversion, there is no appeal process.
Contact an Advocate is an additional resource available for individuals that may need contact with an advocate to assist with concerns about domestic violence or similar crimes. This is an information/referral service designed to assist domestic violence victims and other victims of crime and provides an additional option for communicating with a victim advocate.
Text 614-398-1540 or send an email to [email protected] to reach out to the City’s victim advocate so that you may be guided to the appropriate resources. You should expect a response within 48 hours or the next business day.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: If a victim is experiencing an emergency situation, text or dial 911 for immediate assistance. The Contact an Advocate Program is not a substitute for emergency services and is not monitored 24 hours a day. This program is intended as an added resource for victims of domestic violence or other similar crimes but not a substitute for any necessary law enforcement action needed to protect victims of crime.
Domestic violence is perhaps the most insidious of all crimes. Committed by a family member, a loved one, someone familiar to the victim, the crime has a ripple effect in that everyone in the household and others are impacted. Fear can prevent the crime from being reported. “It won’t happen again,” or “I asked for it,” are often repeated by victims who deny the impact violence has in their lives.
As soon as a Domestic Violence incident is reported, the Upper Arlington Victim Assistance Program begins. See Victim Assistance Program under Resources for more.
Ohio voters overwhelmingly passed Marsy’s law at the November 2017 election, granting victims specific rights in the criminal justice system. See Ohio Crime Victims information under Resources for more.
A Text to 911 feature is available in Upper Arlington, enabling residents to send a text for assistance:
- If you are in a threatening situation and a voice call would increase the threat
- If you are unable to speak due to an injury
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability
- If mobile phone reception is poor
Type in the numbers 911 in the “to” field. Then type a brief but informative message (do not include images), with your location and the type of emergency. Then press “send.”
Some other useful information about this emergency option:
- The delivery of 911 text messages may be slightly delayed or could even fail.
- The text for emergency assistance cannot go to more than one recipient. Do not copy any other contacts on your text.
- Unless you have indicated that you are in a threatening situation and do not want a response, you will be notified that your text has been received from the 911 call center.
- If you are experiencing a threatening/domestic violence situation that could worsen if your text is found by your abuser, delete the text as soon as you have sent it.
- Administrative Hearing (PDF 909KB)
- Discrimination Complaint (PDF 255KB)
- Domestic Violence Diversion (PDF 852KB)
- Income Tax Cases in UA (PDF 896KB)
- Juvenile Diversion (PDF 2MB)
- Reference Guide to Victim Rights (PDF 927KB)
- Victims Assistance (PDF 1MB)
- Youth and the Law (PDF 2MB)
- Upper Arlington Code Compliance
- Upper Arlington Mayor’s Court
- Adult Parole Authority – 614-752-0800
- Franklin County Common Pleas Probation – 614-525-3700
- Franklin County Juvenile Probation – 614-525-7535
- Franklin County Municipal Probation – 614-645-8360
- Choices
- Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence
- Elderly Care Assistance
- Hands on Central Ohio
- Franklin County Common Pleas Court
- Franklin County Municipal Court
- Legal Aid Society of Columbus
- Ohio Crime Victims Justice Center
- Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program
- Ohio Victim Witness Association
- Southern Ohio Legal Services
- Victim’s Rights Law
City Attorney (1)
You should contact the Finance Department at 614-583-5291.