Mahoning County Prosecutor

Lynn Maro

330-740-2330
8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office Logo

Mahoning County Prosecutor's People's Law School

What is People’s Law School?

People’s Law School is a 5 week course offered by the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office to provide a free overview of legal concepts to the community. 

People’s Law School 2025 will be held every Wednesday night in October.

Session Dates: October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Boardman Library
                  7680 Glenwood Avenue
                  Youngstown, OH 44512

We are incredibly excited for the outpour of interest in this program from our announcement last week. The space in Boardman Library that we will be using seats 90 people, and we officially had 90 individuals fill out our registration poll which was previously on this webpage.
Click here to visit the Library's Event Page for People's Law School

Course Schedule:

Week 1:

Hour 1: Criminal Prosecution and Plea Bargaining

With Prosecutor Lynn Maro

  • Criminal prosecution, from investigation and charging to trial
  • Roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges
  • Plea bargaining—its benefits, drawbacks, and the Office standards governing its use

Hour 2: Misdemeanors and OVI

With Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Rivera

  • Misdemeanor offenses and typical penalties
  • OVI charges, including legal definitions, testing procedures,  and court processes
Week 2:

Hour 1: Human Trafficking and Sting Operations

With Prosecutor Lynn Maro, Assistant Prosecutor Caitlyn Andrews, and Judge Renee DiSalvo

  • Human trafficking laws, supporting survivors, and prosecuting offenders
  • The use of sting operations as a law enforcement tactic

Hour 2: Specialty Courts

With Assistant Prosecutors Anissa Modarelli and Katie Jones

  • Overview of our specialty courts, including the the Mahoning County Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans’ courts
Week 3:

Hour 1: Civil Division and Zoning

With Prosecutor Lynn Maro and Assistant Prosecutor Donald Duda

  • An overview of the prosecutor’s role in representing county officials, offices, and boards
  • The enforcement of zoning regulations and compliance with local codes and ordinances.

Hour 2: Delinquent Tax, Foreclosures, Evictions

With Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Michaels

  • The legal framework governing landlord-tenant relationships and evictions
  • The foreclosure process and the role of local government in property enforcement and nuisance abatement
Week 4:

Hour 1& 2: The Constitution and Understanding Your Rights

With Criminal Chief, John Juhasz

  • Key constitutional rights under both the United States and Ohio Constitutions
  • Fundamental protections such as search and seizure, due process, free speech, and the right to counsel
Week 5:

Hour 1: Juvenile Law

With Juvenile Division Chief, Jennifer Robbins

  • The juvenile justice system in Mahoning County, focusing on how it differs from adult criminal court.
  • The prosecutor’s role in balancing rehabilitation and accountability.

Hour 2: Wills and Estates

With Judge Robert Rusu

  • An introduction to wills, estates, and the probate process
  • The legal importance of having a valid will
  • What happens when someone dies without a will

Program Resources