Canton Criminal Defense Lawyer | Stark County Representation

Facing criminal charges in Canton requires a defense strategy tailored to the specific court where your case is filed. The venue dictates the procedural rules, the prosecutors assigned to the case, and the timeline of your defense.

Attorney Emmanuel Makris provides dedicated, trial-focused representation for clients facing state and local charges throughout Stark County. Operating with a transparent, flat-fee pricing model, Attorney Makris personally handles every phase of your defense—ensuring you have direct access to your lawyer from arraignment through the final resolution of your case.

Navigating the Stark County Court System

Effective legal advocacy requires a deep understanding of local court procedures. We represent individuals across all major Stark County jurisdictions:

Canton Municipal Court Defense-
Located at Canton City Hall, this court handles first-degree misdemeanors, OVI/DUI offenses, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings for felony arrests occurring within its specific territorial jurisdiction, which includes:

Cities: Canton, North Canton, and Louisville
Townships: Lake, Plain, Nimishillen, Osnaburg, Canton, Pike, and Sandy Townships
Villages: Hartville, East Canton, Meyers Lake, East Sparta, Waynesburg, and Magnolia
Address: in Ohio is 218 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton, OH 44702.
Phone Number: (330) 489-3203 (Clerk of Court)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (City Hall/Court public access generally starts at 7:30 AM)
Judges: Judge Jeremy J. Foltz
- Year Elected: Elected in 2025 (took office January 2, 2026, succeeding retired Judge Mary A. Falvey).
- Legal History & Background:
  - Education: Earned a B.A. from Bowling Green State University (1996) and a J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law (1999).
  - Judicial Experience: Served 18 years as Chief Magistrate for the Canton Municipal Court (2006–2025), presiding over more than 125,000 cases prior to his election to the bench.
Judge Katie Erchick Gilbert
- Year Elected: Elected in 2025 (took office January 1, 2026, succeeding retired Judge Richard J. Kubilus).
- Legal History & Background:
  - Prosecutorial Experience: Served as Assistant Prosecutor and Deputy Chief Counsel for the City of Canton Law Department under the City Prosecutor's Office.
  - Litigation Background: Focused on municipal law, criminal misdemeanor prosecutions, traffic matters, and local building/housing code enforcement.
Judge Dennis Barr
- Year Appointed: Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in March 2025 (took office March 10, 2025, succeeding Judge Curt Werren upon Werren's appointment to the Stark County Probate Court).
- Legal History & Background:
  - Education: Earned a B.A. in history (1981) and J.D. (1984) from the Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.
  - Public Practice: Hardin County Prosecuting Attorney (1987–1988); spent over 35 years at the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, serving as Chief of the Criminal Division.
Former Judge John A. Poulos(Retired Senior Judge)
- Years Elected: First elected in 1993 (took office January 1, 1994); re-elected in 1999, 2005, 2011, 2017, and 2023.
- Legal History & Background:
  - Education: Earned his undergraduate degree and J.D. from the University of Akron.
  - Public & Private Experience: Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Canton Municipal Court District for 13 years and partner at Kaschak & Poulos Co. L.P.A. prior to serving 30+ years on the municipal bench.
Our Approach: Municipal court cases move rapidly. We intervene early at arraignment to advocate for reasonable bond conditions. We then demand full discovery—including Canton Police body-worn camera footage, cruiser dashcams, and breathalyzer logs—to aggressively challenge the constitutionality of the traffic stop or arrest.

2. Stark County Court of Common Pleas Defense

Situated at the Stark County Courthouse in downtown Canton, the Court of Common Pleas is the county-wide venue for major criminal offenses. Regardless of whether an initial arrest occurred in Canton, Massillon, Alliance, or any surrounding township, all adult felony cases in Stark County are ultimately prosecuted here. This court presides over serious felony indictments (Felony 5 through Felony 1), including drug trafficking, violent offenses, and complex financial crimes.

Physical Address: 115 Central Plaza North, Canton, OH 44702
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: (330) 451-7801
Our Approach: We approach every felony indictment with a trial-first philosophy. Rather than assuming a plea agreement is the only path forward, we independently evaluate the state’s forensic evidence, scrutinize search warrant affidavits for constitutional violations, and prepare the case to be vigorously defended before a Stark County jury.
Judges: General Division
- Judge Kristin G. Farmer
  - Year Appointed / Elected: Appointed by Governor John Kasich in 2012; elected to full terms in 2014 and 2020.
  - Legal History & Background: Earned her B.A. from Miami University and J.D. from the University of Akron. Worked as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Alliance and later served as a Magistrate for the Stark County Court of Common Pleas prior to her judicial appointment.
- Judge Frank G. Forchione
  - Year Elected: First elected in 2008 (took office January 2009); re-elected in 2014 and 2020.
  - Legal History & Background: Earned his B.A. in Economics from Kent State University and J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law. Served for 15 years as Canton City Prosecutor (1994–2009) and acted as a special prosecutor on high-profile criminal cases across Ohio. Also practiced in private law.
- Judge Chryssa N. Hartnett
  - Year Elected: First elected in 2014 (took office January 2015); re-elected in 2016 and 2022.
  - Legal History & Background: Earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina (1990) and J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law (1995). Served as Assistant Chief of the Criminal Division at the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office and briefly as a Common Pleas Court Magistrate. Served as President of the Stark County Bar Association in 2018.
- Judge Natalie R. Haupt
  - Year Elected: First elected in 2018 (took office April 2019); re-elected in 2024.
  - Legal History & Background: Earned her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2002). Served as an Assistant Public Defender and as Chief Magistrate for retired Judge John G. Haas in the Common Pleas Court, where she presided over the Stark County Domestic Violence Court.
- Judge Taryn L. Heath
  - Year Appointed / Elected: Appointed by Governor Ted Strickland in 2007; elected in 2008, and re-elected in 2014 and 2020.
  - Legal History & Background: Over 35 years of legal experience, including 13 years as a Canton Municipal Court Magistrate, 6 years as an Assistant Ohio Attorney General, 2 years as a local prosecutor, and 25 years in private practice. Founded and presides over the Stark County Honor Court (Veterans Treatment Court).

3. Stark County Juvenile Court Defense

Operating within the Stark County Family Court system, juvenile proceedings address delinquency allegations, underage OVI, and school-related offenses originating anywhere within Stark County limits. While the juvenile system prioritizes rehabilitation, the long-term consequences of an adjudication can severely impact a minor's future.

Address: 110 Central Plaza S, Canton, OH 44702 (suites vary by department, such as Suite 615 for Juvenile Court or Suite 670 for Family Court)
Main Phone Number: (330) 451-7415
Juvenile Court Records: (330) 451-7412
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Our Approach: We advocate to protect the constitutional rights of minors, aggressively contest motions for bind-over transfers to adult criminal court, and work to resolve matters in ways that protect the youth's permanent record and future educational opportunities.
Judges: Judge Matthew P. Kreitzer
- Year Elected: Elected in 2024 (took office January 2025).
- Legal History & Background: Private practice attorney specializing in domestic relations, child custody, and family law matters across Stark County prior to taking the bench.
Judge Beverly P. Proctor-Donald(Succeeding Judge Rosemarie A. Hall)
- Year Appointed: Appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in August 2026 (taking office October 1, 2026, succeeding retiring Judge Rosemarie A. Hall).
- Legal History & Background: Earned a B.A. from Memphis State University (1990) and J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law (1996). Operated a private practice for 22 years and served as a Magistrate in the Stark County Family Court Division. Details regarding judicial appointments are available via the Ohio Governor's Office.

Criminal Charges We Defend in Canton, OH

We provide comprehensive defense representation for a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

- Sex Offenses: Strategic, discreet, and aggressive defense against life-altering allegations, including Rape, Sexual Battery, Gross Sexual Imposition (GSI), Public Indecency, and challenging sex offender registry requirements.
- OVI / DUI & Traffic Offenses: Challenging breathalyzer accuracy, field sobriety test administration, and fighting to protect your driving privileges from BMV administrative suspensions.
- Drug Crimes: Defending against state and federal-level drug possession, manufacturing, Trafficking in Drugs, and Major Drug Offender (MDO) indictments.
- Domestic Violence & Protection Orders: Protecting your rights against Domestic Violence charges, Assault, and defending against the issuance of Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) that threaten your home and family access.
- Violent Crimes: High-stakes trial defense for Assault, Aggravated Assault, Felonious Assault, Manslaughter, Murder, and self-defense cases.
- Weapons & Firearms Offenses: Defending your Second Amendment rights against charges of Improper Handling of a Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) violations, and Having Weapons Under Disability.
- Theft & Property Crimes: Strategic defense for Petty Theft, Shoplifting, Burglary, Robbery, and Grand Theft.
- White-Collar & Financial Crimes: Representation for complex financial allegations including Fraud, Embezzlement, Forgery, and Identity Fraud.
- Juvenile Offenses: Protecting the futures of minors facing delinquency proceedings in Ohio juvenile courts, keeping focus on rehabilitation over punishment.
- Record Sealing & Expungement: Helping eligible clients seal or expunge past criminal convictions to restore their employment opportunities and clear their public record.

Stark County Jail & Immediate Bond Hearings

When an individual is arrested and held at the Stark County Jail or a municipal holding facility, immediate legal intervention is critical. Delaying representation allows the prosecution to dictate the initial terms of release. We advocate forcefully at initial bond hearings to secure reasonable pretrial release conditions, allowing clients to return to their families and jobs while we build their defense. The Stark County Jail is managed by the Stark County Sheriff.

Location: 4500 Atlantic Blvd. N.E., Canton, OH 44705 . Inside the main Sheriff's complex in Canton, Ohio.
Phone: (330) 430-3800

Transparent, Flat-Rate Legal Fees

Hiring a criminal defense attorney in Canton should not involve unpredictable hourly billing or hidden monthly fees. Attorney Makris operates on a fully transparent, flat-rate pricing model. Before you sign a contract, you will know the exact cost of your defense representation—including trial preparation—allowing you to focus entirely on your case rather than worrying about the cost of a phone call. All flat fees are the complete cost for representation including trial.

Prices:

Minor Misdemeanor- $1000
Misdemeanor 4 -(M4): $1500
Misdemeanor 3-(M3): $1500
Misdemeanor 2 -(M2): $1500
Misdemeanor 1 -(M1): $1750
1st OVI: $2000
Felony 5 (F5): $3000
Felony 4 (F4): $4000
Felony 3 (F3): $5000
Felony 2 (F2): $7500
Felony 1 (F1): $10,000
Major Drug Offender (MDO): $15,000
Murder: $20,000

Fees are typical estimates including trial. We reserve the right to adjust for complexity and or travel. We have offices in the Stark County Area and near Lucas County. There may a flat transparent traveling fee that takes account the traveling time required to handle your case. Fees cover legal representation; clients pay court costs and 3rd party expenses. Fees do not include appellate representation in your particular case. We fight for your future.