Appellate Division
The Appellate Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office represents the State of Ohio in criminal appeals and post-conviction petitions from the Lucas County Common Pleas Court’s General and Juvenile divisions. The Appellate Division handles appeals in the Sixth Appellate District, the Ohio Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court, as well as motions for post-conviction relief filed in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas. The division also supports the Trial Division’s pretrial motion practice and assists with research and analysis related to criminal prosecutions. Additionally, the division monitors legislative changes and developments in common law that impact criminal prosecutions.
Child Support
The Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency is the initial agency handling all child support cases. If the agency cannot resolve a child support matter, the case is referred to the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office Nonsupport Unit. The Nonsupport Unit of the prosecutor’s office reviews the referral to determine the most appropriate charge or charges to present for indictment to the grand jury. The crime, known as "nonsupport of dependents," may be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances of the case.
Civil Practice
The Civil Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office advises the Board of Lucas County Commissioners, the Lucas County Board of Elections, all Lucas County elected officials, all Lucas County boards, agencies, ten townships and all tax-supported public libraries.
The Civil Division’s responsibilities include:
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Defending and prosecuting lawsuits and actions involving the office’s clients
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Advising public clients on their legal rights and responsibilities
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Providing written legal opinions
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Assisting with the formation and review of contracts and business transactions such as labor and employment matters
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Helping to resolve disputes concerning services and functions of the agency
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Sunshine Laws and open meetings
Community Outreach
The Lucas County Prosecutor's Office is involved in reading to children in Toledo Public Schools, coordinating back-to-school backpack and school supply drives, food donations to schools and toy collections in December.
Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates is a member of several community boards, including Connecting Kids to Meal, Read for Literacy and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC).
The CJCC, a local government unit, provides an integrated criminal justice information system, criminal history record checks and management of federal grant dollars to Lucas County and Northwest Ohio. Team members volunteer their time speaking to different community groups and even working with the Toledo Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy.
Conviction Integrity Unit
In July 2024, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates announced the formation of the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) within the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office. This new unit underscores the LCPO’s commitment to justice and fairness by reviewing past convictions for credible claims of innocence. The CIU will conduct thorough reviews of cases to ensure the integrity of convictions. If a wrongful conviction is found, the LCPO is committed to taking prompt corrective action. The unit will evaluate cases involving credible claims of actual innocence, new evidence, and specific criteria, excluding those involving guilty pleas unless in rare circumstances. Cases are referred to the CIU by approved sources within the LCPO.
Criminal Division
The Criminal Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for prosecuting felony crimes committed within Lucas County. Assistant prosecuting attorneys handle cases from indictment through trial, working closely with law enforcement agencies, victims, and witnesses to seek justice. This division prosecutes a wide range of offenses, including violent crimes, drug-related offenses, white-collar crimes and other serious felonies. Prosecutors in this division are committed to upholding the law while ensuring fair and just outcomes for all involved.
DETAC Unit
The Foreclosure Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office assists in collecting delinquent real estate taxes for Lucas County on behalf of the Lucas County Treasurer. Owners of tax-delinquent real estate are subject to foreclosure proceedings, which may result in the property being sold by the Lucas County Sheriff or transferred to the Lucas County Land Bank.
1 Government Center
Suite 500
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: 419-213-4061
Fax: 419-213-4070
Juvenile Division
The Juvenile Division of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office handles the prosecution of felony, misdemeanor and traffic offenses committed by children under 18, as well as certain adult misdemeanors involving the abuse or neglect of a child in the Lucas County Common Pleas Juvenile Court. Juvenile offenders fall into three categories: unruly (children who commit offenses that do not apply to adults), delinquent (children who commit offenses that would be criminal if committed by an adult) or juvenile traffic offenders (children who violate traffic laws or regulations). For certain serious offenses committed by juveniles of a certain age, the assistant prosecutor can request a "bind over" of the case to the Common Pleas Court General Division, where the juvenile would be prosecuted as an adult.
Lucas County Juvenile Justice Center
1801 Spielbusch Avenue 2nd Floor
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: 419-213-6951
Fax: 419-213-6956
Senior Protection Unit
The Senior Protection Unit, or SPU, is an innovative program created by Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates to educate seniors and help them protect themselves from becoming victims of elder abuse and exploitation. The SPU partners with local resources, law enforcement, social service agencies, courts and citizen groups to prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, while protecting the dignity and independence of Lucas County's senior citizens. When preventive and protective measures fail, the SPU prosecutes those who victimize the elderly to the fullest extent of the law and works with the office's Victim Assistance Division to provide comfort and assistance to victims involved in the court system.
Senior Help Line: 419-936-2040
Victim and Witness Assistance
The Toledo/Lucas County Victim and Witness Assistance team helps victims understand their rights through Marsy’s Law, keep them informed about court dates and any changes, and accompany them to court. We assist victims in filing for compensation through the Ohio Attorney General’s Victims of Crime Compensation Program and connect them with other services in Lucas County. We also provide referrals and registration for the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system. Additionally, our advocates assist with writing victim impact statements and offer short-term crisis and employer intervention. The main office is located in the Lucas County Courthouse with other locations in Lucas County
Lucas County Common Pleas Court General Division (Main Office)
700 Adams Street 3rd Floor
Toledo, Ohio 43604-5659
Phone: 419-213-4591
Fax: 419-213-2777
Suburban Court Services
Sylvania Municipal Court
6700 Monroe Street
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
Phone: 419-882-8018
24-Hour Crisis Response Team
D. Michael Collins Northwest Neighborhood Station
2330 West Sylvania Avenue
Phone: 419-245-3324
Fax: 419-936-3717
More V&W Assistance
Lucas County Common Pleas Juvenile Division
1801 Spielbusch Avenue 2nd Floor
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: 419-213-6945
Fax: 419-231-6956
Located in South Toledo, this is the state’s first Victim Assistance program designed specifically for the Hispanic/Latino population. We developed this program because statistics showed that many local Hispanics avoided reporting crimes and using courthouse services.
Our advocate, who is fluent in Spanish,:
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Informs victims of their rights
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Notifies victims of court dates and continuances
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Accompanies victims to court proceedings
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Assists victims in filing for compensation through the Ohio Attorney General’s Victims of Crime Compensation Program
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Provides referrals for other services
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Provides VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) referrals and registration (call for details)
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Assists victims with victim impact statements
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Provides short-term crisis and employer intervention
Hispanic/Latino Outreach
Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center
1222 Broadway Street
Toledo, Ohio 43609
Phone: 419-241-6816
Fax: 419-241-1679
Address
700 Adams Street
Suite 250
Toledo, Ohio 43604-5659
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.