Ohio § 1901.20

§ 1901.20.

(A)(1) The municipal court has jurisdiction to hear misdemeanor cases committed within its

territory and has jurisdiction over the violation of any ordinance of any municipal

corporation within its territory, including exclusive jurisdiction over every civil

action concerning a violation of a state traffic law or a municipal traffic ordinance.  The municipal court does not have jurisdiction over a violation that is required

to be handled by a parking violations bureau or joint parking violations bureau pursuant

to Chapter 4521. of the Revised Code.  However, the municipal court has jurisdiction over the violation of a vehicle parking

or standing resolution or regulation if a local authority, as defined in division (D) of section 4521.01 of the Revised Code , has specified that it is not to be considered a criminal offense, if the violation

is committed within the limits of the court's territory, and if the violation is not

required to be handled by a parking violations bureau or joint parking violations

bureau pursuant to Chapter 4521. of the Revised Code. The municipal court, if it has a housing or environmental division, has jurisdiction

over any criminal action over which the housing or environmental division is given

jurisdiction by section 1901.181 of the Revised Code , provided that, except as specified in division (B) of that section, no judge of

the court other than the judge of the division shall hear or determine any action

over which the division has jurisdiction.  In all such prosecutions and cases, the court shall proceed to a final determination

of the prosecution or case. (2) A judge of a municipal court does not have the authority to dismiss a criminal complaint,

charge, information, or indictment solely at the request of the complaining witness

and over the objection of the prosecuting attorney, village solicitor, city director

of law, or other chief legal officer who is responsible for the prosecution of the

case. (B) The municipal court has jurisdiction to hear felony cases committed within its territory.  In all felony cases, the court may conduct preliminary hearings and other necessary

hearings prior to the indictment of the defendant or prior to the court's finding

that there is probable and reasonable cause to hold or recognize the defendant to

appear before a court of common pleas and may discharge, recognize, or commit the

defendant. (C) A municipal court has jurisdiction over an appeal from a judgment or default judgment

entered pursuant to Chapter 4521. of the Revised Code, as authorized by division (D) of section 4521.08 of the Revised Code .  The appeal shall be placed on the regular docket of the court and shall be determined

by a judge of the court. (D) As used in this section, “ violation of a state traffic law or a municipal traffic ordinance ” includes, but is not limited to, a traffic law violation recorded by a traffic law

photo-monitoring device, as defined in section 4511.092 of the Revised Code .