Belmont Criminal Defense Attorney

Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judges

Honorable Frank A. Fregiato, Judge
Honorable John A. Vavra, Judge

Belmont County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
(740) 695-2121

Comments

Before becoming a judge on the Common Pleas court, Judge Fregiato practiced law privately, following his graduation from law school in 1977 through 2013. During this time, he became a County Court judge, which began in 1997 and ended when he moved up to Common Pleas Court.

Prior to being sworn into the Common Pleas Court, Judge Vavra served the Belmont County Court, Eastern Division. He served for twelve years in the Belmont County Courts as a special acting judge.

The Court handles both civil and criminal complaints, including family cases like divorce, child support, and custody. It has three divisions: Eastern, Northern, and Western.

About the Area

Belmont County is the only county so named in the entire United States. Located in Eastern Ohio, it sits just across the Ohio River from West Virginia. All available locations are utilized for growing crops, but most people earn a living in other ways, such as in the iron, steel, and coal industries and in service industries. The county has several lakes and protected areas.

Belmont County was formed in 1801 by taking part of Jefferson County and part of Washington County and merging them together. Many of the original residents were Quakers. It is part of the Appalachian region of Ohio. The county’s largest city is Martins Ferry, and the county seat is St. Clairsville. In 2010, the population was approximately 70,000 people. In 1976, the citizens of the county elected a female sheriff by the name of Katherine Crumbly. She was the first female in the US to be elected sheriff.

Belmont County is 541 square miles in area. Most of that is land, but just over nine percent is water.

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Belmont County Courts Northern & Eastern Division

Honorable Chris Berhalter, Judge (Northern)
Honorable David Trouten, Judge (Eastern)

400 Imperial Plaza
Bellaire, Ohio 43906
(740) 676-4490

Hours of Operation: 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.

Comments

The Belmont County Court Divisions to not accept personal checks.

Northern Division Court’s day to hold court is Wednesday. Eastern Division does so on Tuesday and Thursday. Court costs, fees, and fines can be paid online via the court’s website.

Judge Berhalter was appointed to the court in 2013 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2019. Previously, he was Belmont County’s prosecuting attorney and practiced law in Martins Ferry.

Judge Trouten has lived in Belmont County all his life. He is married with six children. Prior to becoming a judge in the Eastern District Court, he practiced law and served as Clerk of Courts for the county. He was elected to the court in 2018. His experience is in criminal law and he has served as both a public defender and a prosecutor.

Western Division

Honorable Eric Costine, Judge

147 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
(740) 695-2875

Hours of Operation: 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.

Comments

The Belmont County Court Divisions to not accept personal checks.

Judge Costine practices law in a firm with his father and brother, in addition to his duties as judge. He entered the family firm in 1985. He loves music and enjoys photography. He was elected to the court in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. Prior to his election, he spent 18 years in the Public Defender’s office, first as the Assistant Public Defender and then as the Lead Public Defender.

Court days for Western Division Court are Tuesday and Thursday. Fees, court costs, and fines can be paid online through a portal on the court’s website.

District Attorney District Attorney Daniel P. Fry

Courthouse Annex I
147 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
(740) 695-4412