Date set for Polivka’s domestic-violence trial

Staff report

WARREN

Visiting Judge Jerry Hayes has set a date of 9 a.m. July 26 for Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka to go on trial before a jury in Warren Municipal Court on a misdemeanor domestic-violence charge.

A hearing on the matter took place Monday morning, but Polivka did not attend. Court personnel said Polivka was excused from appearing because the hearing only involved setting a trial date.

Polivka’s estranged wife, JoAnn Polivka, was in court, however, and was surprised to learn the commissioner was not going to be there, she said.

Dan Polivka, 46, was charged by Howland police in August after he reportedly grabbed JoAnn by the neck at Old Avalon Golf Course while she was golfing with a man.

If convicted, Polivka could get up to six months in jail.

JoAnn Polivka filed for divorce from Dan Polivka on May 6, 2009. The divorce is pending, with a final hearing set for July 19.