(A) As used in this section:

Terms Used In Ohio Code 1901.186

  • Another: when used to designate the owner of property which is the subject of an offense, includes not only natural persons but also every other owner of property. See Ohio Code 1.02
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • municipal court: includes the housing or environmental division of the municipal court, and "judge" includes the judge of the housing or environmental division of the municipal court, as created by section 1901. See Ohio Code 1901.031
  • Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.

(1) “Felony sex offense” has the same meaning as in section 2967.28 of the Revised Code.

(2) “Offense of violence” has the same meaning as in section 2901.01 of the Revised Code.

(3) “Informant” means a person who is assisting a law enforcement agency in a criminal investigation by purchasing controlled substances from others in return for compensation from the law enforcement agency.

(B) In addition to all other jurisdictions granted a municipal court in this chapter, except as provided in division (C) of this section, the Tiffin-Fostoria municipal court has concurrent jurisdiction with the Seneca county court of common pleas in all criminal actions or proceedings to which both of the following apply:

(1) The court finds that the offender’s addiction to a drug of abuse was the primary factor leading to the offender’s commission of the offense charged.

(2) The offender is admitted to participate in the participating in victory of transition (PIVOT) drug recovery program.

(C) The Tiffin-Fostoria municipal court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the Seneca county court of common pleas in a criminal action or proceeding when any of the following applies:

(1) The defendant is not a resident of Seneca county.

(2) The defendant is charged with a felony offense of violence.

(3) The defendant is charged with a felony sex offense or has a duty to comply with sections 2950.04, 2950.041, 2950.05, and 2950.06 of the Revised Code.

(4) The defendant is charged with a felony violation of section 2925.04 or 2925.041 of the Revised Code.

(5) The defendant is under a community control sanction or post-release control sanction imposed by another court or is on parole or probation under the supervision of another jurisdiction.

(6) Criminal proceedings are pending against the defendant for a felony offense in another jurisdiction.

(7) The defendant is serving a prison term imposed by another court.

(8) The defendant is engaged as an informant for a law enforcement agency.

Last updated February 16, 2023 at 10:40 AM