The provisions of R.C. Ch. 2938 shall apply to trial on the merits of any misdemeanor, ordinance offense, prosecution for the violation of any rule or regulation of any governmental body authorized to adopt penal regulations, or to complaints to keep the peace, which may be instituted in and retained for trial on the merits in any court or before any magistrate inferior to the court of common pleas; provided that in juvenile courts, where the conduct of any person under the age of 18 years is made the subject of inquiry and for which special provision is made by R.C. Ch. 2151, such matters shall be tried, adjusted, or disposed of pursuant to R.C. Ch. 2151.
(R.C. § 2938.02) (‘74 Code, § 32.35)