Wadsworth is looking to expand the number of attorneys on its appointed counsel list, but is especially interested in helping newer attorneys learn the ropes. The current hourly billable rate (as of 4.3.2025) is $75/hour. Please send a letter of interest along with your resume to the Wadsworth Municipal Court via regular U.S. mail or email, courts@wadsworthcity.org.
Wadsworth Law Department & Wadsworth Municipal Court Appointment FAQs
This sheet is being prepared by the Wadsworth Law Department in conjunction with the Wadsworth Municipal Court. The purpose of this FAQ sheet is to provide court appointed counsel with the tools to successfully and ethically represent their clients in the Wadsworth Municipal Court. This is provided to give a basic understanding of how to properly interact with the Wadsworth Law Department, the Wadsworth Municipal Court, and their respective staff and officials.
Nothing in this sheet should be construed as an offer of settlement of case, a promise for admission to diversion programs, or anything of the like. It is our hope that this sheet can provide guidance to allow you to provide impeccable and zealous representation of your clients.
You are required to be a licensed attorney in the State of Ohio that wants to provide zealous representation of their appointed clients. Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code section 120-1-1-, appointed counsel must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for state reimbursement.
For Misdemeanors - Within two years prior to appointment minimum six hours CLE in criminal practice and procedure OR Successful completion of a clinical education program focusing on criminal defense In lieu of required training, at least one year of experience as an attorney.
For Misdemeanor OVI - Within two years prior to appointment minimum six hours CLE focused on OVI practice and procedure.
*CLE hours must be certified by the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education.
Please send a letter of interest along with your resume to the Wadsworth Municipal Court via regular U.S. mail or email, courts@wadsworthcity.org.
Judge Lewis expects all attorneys to provide competent legal representation to their clients. She also expects punctuality, a passion for justice, as well as collegiality.
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/150/Law
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/340/Municipal-Court
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/445/Clerks-Office
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/446/Probation
You can find the local rules at the Wadsworth Municipal Court’s Website.
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/1438/Municipal-Court-Local-Rules-PDF
The Judge of the Wadsworth Municipal Court is the Honorable Susana Lewis. She oversees not only the Municipal Court but also the Clerk’s Office and the Probation Department.
Judge Susana Lewis
Cassandra M. Frye – Clerk of Courts
Jennifer Greissing – Bailiff / Assignment Commissioner
Kim Whited – Chief Probation Officer
Stephanie Yockey – Probation Officer
Peggy Davis – Deputy Clerk
Deanna Lyren – Deputy Clerk
Meagan Kovacs – Deputy Clerk
Shannon Miller – Deputy Clerk
Amanda Norton – Deputy Clerk
The Law Director is Brad Proudfoot. The primary prosecutor on cases is the Assistant Law Director, Jared Roberts. However, you can speak with either individual.
The office has two paralegals. Melanie Sonntag primarily handles traffic matters. Jessica Chamberlin primarily handles criminal matters.
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/150/Law
Yes, the Clerk’s Office accepts fax filings at 330-335-2723. Further, email filings can be sent to courts@wadsworthcity.org. Please refer to Wadsworth Municipal Court Local Rule 22 for all the specifics.
At the Court’s discretion, attorneys and/or Defendants may be permitted to appear via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other approved technological methods. This is done sparingly and as stated at the discretion of the Court.
Please refer to Wadsworth Municipal Court Local Rule 21 for all the specifics.
Please request discovery from the Wadsworth Law Department as soon as possible. Best practice is to file your discovery request with your NOA, Not Guilty Plea, or the like. Discovery requests can be sent to Paralegal@wadsworthcity.org.
See #12 and #19.
The Wadsworth Law Department will provide all materials as soon as readily possible and as soon as the materials are available. Please know that the Wadsworth Law Department does not even receive the police reports, videos, etc. until AFTER a Notice of Appearance and Not Guilty Plea has been filed.
Wadsworth Law Department provides all discovery electronically via Dropbox. You will be provided a link to all materials via email. Please note that our staff does not provide technical support for digital issues.
Yes. We DO NOT receive any additional copies from the Clerk of Courts. As such for ANY filing on your case, Defense counsel must provide a service copy to the Wadsworth Law Department directly either via fax, 330-335-2816, or via email, paralegal@wadsworthcity.org.
Yes, all cases that have a “Not Guilty” put on the record, are automatically set for a “Trial to the Court”. If you wish to have a Jury, you must file a Jury Demand which will likely move your “Trial to the Court” date.
The Wadsworth Municipal Court schedules Jury Trials for Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Fridays are only used as an overflow date for a Thursday Jury Trial. Below is a link to the Court’s schedule. The Court also conducts Final Jury Pretrials generally on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/470/Court-Schedule
Final Jury Pretrials are set by the Court. All other pretrials are handled through the Wadsworth Law Department / Prosecutor’s office. The Court is not involved in pretrials (except for Final Jury Pretrials discussed below). Please contact the Wadsworth Law Department directly to set-up a pretrial. 330-335-2748
The Wadsworth Law Department generally schedules pretrials for Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings, or Friday mornings. However, we will attempt to work with every attorney and their schedule to accommodate their needs.
No, not all pretrials are in person. As to Final Jury Pretrials, the Court generally permits these via Zoom or Google Meet with leave from the Court.
As to the other pretrials, you can request a telephone pretrial or a Google Meet pretrial at the discretion of the Prosecutor.
If counsel has filed a jury demand a final pre-trial will set by the Court approximately two weeks prior to the scheduled jury trial date. Appearance of Counsel and Defendant will be required but appearance by Zoom can be requested from the Court if timely filed.
Yes, always provide the Wadsworth Law Department with copies of any and all filings at the same time they are filed with the Wadsworth Clerk of Courts. Please do this by either mail, fax, or email to Paralegal@wadsworthcity.org.
Yes, the general rule of thumb is that if the Prosecutor sends out subpoenas on your case, then any plea offer is withdrawn.
Subpoenas are sent out no later than two weeks prior to the trial date, whether it be a Trial to the Court or a Jury Trial. The Prosecutor sends subpoenas TWO WEEKS prior to trial to ensure that all witnesses have sufficient time to plan for the court date.
It is usually advisable to file a “Motion to Convert the Court Trial to a Status Conference.” This approach should be used sparingly, and the granting of such a motion is entirely at the discretion of the Court.
No, Wadsworth Municipal Court is a no negotiated plea court for OVI’s.
Yes, the Wadsworth Municipal Court in conjunction with the Prosecutor’s Office provides the following diversion programs:
Admission into this diversion programs is at the discretion of the Prosecutor and the Municipal Court.
https://www.wadsworthcity.com/454/Special-Programs
No, the Wadsworth Law Department does not “Mask” points for CDL drivers.