Online Dispute Resolution
Cleveland Municipal Court

A criminal tax case is one in which the defendant has been charged with a misdemeanor violation for either failing to pay municipal income taxes, or for failing to file a return for taxes, or both.

A first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines, per count.

Being charged with a misdemeanor is a frightening situation. The good news is the court and the city tax attorney's office want to help you resolve this matter in a way that will help you avoid a conviction and let you move on with your life! Simply use this website to initiate a secure, private conversation with the city attorneys. Together, you can work out a plan agreeable to both of you.

It's simple. Using your cases number, search for your case on the site. Once you've found it, you'll be asked to fill out a short form. After you submit it, you will land in your "negotiation space." Leave a message for the city attorney, and he or she will get back with you soon. You can use your negotiation space to "chat" about a solution.

Once you've agreed on how to handle your case, you'll go to court to have the judge sign off on the plan. Once you've completed payment, the court will dismiss your case.

You'll have your matter resolved before your court date. On the court date, cases like yours will be heard first – no need to sit around the courthouse for endless hours!

Effectively, yes. The actual judgment is a "do not prosecute" order. That means you were not found guilty on the original charge.

Of course not. You may use the negotiation space to provide documentation showing the amount due should be adjusted, and work with the city attorney's office to arrive at the appropriate amount. Use features such as the file upload to provide documentation to the city attorneys.

You'll still have your day in court before a judge to explain your side of the story.

You or the city attorney can suggest a payment plan as a potential resolution. Consider the following:

1. What is the total amount owed?
2. How much will each payment be?
3. How often will payments be made (e.g., weekly, monthly, etc.)?
4. What are the due dates for each payment?
5. How is payment to be delivered (in person, by mail, etc.)?
6. What is the form of payment (check, cash, money order, etc.?)
7. What happens if you miss a payment?

Of course! Ask the city attorney about a lump sum payment. The city may be willing to abate penalty and/or interest, based on your individual circumstances.