Judgments entered by the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas or the Belmont County Court may be appealed as of right to the Seventh District Court of Appeals by a criminal defendant or the parties in a civil case. The State of Ohio can appeal in certain circumstances when reversible error prejudicial to the prosecution has occurred. In addition, a party may request that the Ohio Supreme Court grant a discretionary appeal following a decision by the Seventh District Court of Appeals, or in certain circumstances, a party may have an appeal as of right to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The Appellate Division’s primary role is to represent the State of Ohio in those appeals. That means, in criminal cases, that the Appellate Division’s role is to seek to affirm convictions entered in Belmont County to the fullest extent of the law and also the Prosecutor’s Office may concede an error. Representation on appeal includes the filing of briefs and often includes presenting oral argument before the Seventh District Court of Appeals. Arguments before the Seventh District Court can be viewed live stream by accessing the Seventh District’s website at the link below.