Criminal Complaint in Cleveland.

[Johnathan Norman]

So i got a court notice yesterday from the county regarding a "criminal" offense that could result in jail time. Obviously I freaked out and after talking to a few lawyers I was really surprised.   In one of my properties the tenant left a trash can outside before 12:00, this was  considered a health violation which is also a misdemeanor. I have 7 days from the day the mail was sent to plead guilty and pay a $510 dollar fine.  

I then got a separate health code violation for the "waste" in the garbage can which was outside before 12:00.  This is another $510 dollar fine and also a criminal offense. 

Since i live outside the state it took longer than 7 days for me to get the mail. So i'm forced to hire a lawyer to show up in court to address the issue. Every lawyer i spoke to said the same thing, they don't have to give warnings and lately the county seems to be targeting LLC's holding property.

So just a heads up for others.