Missing paperwork slows progress in Harrison County felony cases

Three defendants appeared in Harrison County Common Pleas Court this week on separate fifth-degree felony charges.

Garrison Warren, charged with mishandling firearms, and Jonathan Kovacik, charged with theft and misuse of a credit card, both appeared for pretrial conferences. While unrelated cases, the proceedings followed a similar path.

“We’re here today for a pretrial conference,” Judge Shawn Hervey said during Warren’s hearing. He explained that both defendants will undergo an Ohio Risk Assessment System evaluation, known as ORAS, which helps determine an appropriate sentence if a defendant is convicted.

The assessment produces a score that rates the likelihood of future offenses as high, moderate or low. “Oftentimes, what the state of Ohio uses it for prior to a conviction is to get an understanding of what a reasonable offer to resolve the case would be,” Hervey said.

Warren and Kovacik were directed to the adult probation office to schedule their assessments.

Also appearing was Taylor Harbourt, facing a fifth-degree felony charge of illegal conveyance. Hervey noted that Harbourt was arraigned Aug. 12 and said she had planned to hire private counsel but had not filed paperwork for appointed counsel or entered an appearance of private counsel.

“I was trying to get my lawyer paid, just didn’t have the money,” Harbourt told the court. She added that her paperwork for appointed counsel was in her car.

Hervey provided another form and rescheduled the case. “I expect that next time we either appoint an attorney or you’ve hired one,” he said.