Ohio Code § 1901.20
Ohio Code § 1901.20. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 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 .
Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27
At a glance
- Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 1901.20
- Jurisdiction: Ohio
- Code: Ohio Revised Code
- Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)
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Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
Common questions
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