EDITOR'S NOTE: There are no sections in Chapter 171. This chapter has been established to provide a place for cross references and future legislation.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Mayor has jurisdiction to hear and determine any prosecution for the violation of a Municipal ordinance, and has jurisdiction in all criminal causes involving moving traffic violations occurring on State highways located within the corporate limits, subject to the right of the defendant to trial by jury and before an impartial magistrate.
Ohio R.C. 2945.17 provides that an accused has a right to be tried by a jury at any trial in any court for the violation of any Ohio statute or of any Municipal ordinance, except in cases in which the penalty involved does not exceed a fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00). Ohio R.C. 2937.08 and Criminal Rule 23(A) provide that if the court in which a defendant is charged with an offense is not a court of record (the Mayor's Court), and the charge is such that a right to a jury trial exists, such matter shall not be tried before him and shall be transferred to a court of record in the County if the defendant:
(a) Does not waive his right to trial by jury in a serious offense case for which the penalty established by laws includes confinement for more than six months, or
(b) Demands a jury trial in a petty offense case in which the penalty prescribed is a fine greater than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) and/or imprisonment for not more than six months. "Such demand must be in writing and filed with the clerk of court not less than ten days prior to the date set for trial, or on or before the third day following receipt of notice of the date set for trial, whichever is later. Failure to demand a jury trial as provided in this subdivision is a complete waiver of the right thereto."
In Ward v. Village of Monroeville, Ohio, 93 S. Ct. 80 (1972), the United States Supreme Court held that where the mayor before whom the defendant was compelled to stand trial was responsible for municipal finances and the mayor's court provided a substantial portion of municipal revenues, defendant was denied a trial before a disinterested and impartial magistrate as guaranteed by the due process clause of the United States Constitution.