The City of Parma Ohio

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Criminal Division

The Prosecutor’s Office is responsible for the operation and supervision of the Law Department's Criminal Division in Parma Municipal Court. The office prosecutes all criminal cases on behalf of City of Parma, State of Ohio and its various agencies as required by law, which includes:

  • review of evidence
  • issuance of affidavits
  • preparation of cases for trial
  • trial of cases

This office also prosecutes or defends all appeals in criminal cases on behalf of the City of Parma, which includes:

  • perfection of appellate procedure
  • research and preparation of briefs
  • argument on merits in applicable higher court

In addition, the Prosecutor’s Office provides the following services:

  • Represents the City of Parma in procedural matters with the Parma Municipal Court judges
  • Establishes procedural rules with reference to the issuance of affidavits and warrants and court appearances for the Parma Police Department
  • Renders opinions on criminal matters for the Parma Police Department, State of Ohio, various State of Ohio agencies and City of Parma departments
  • Provides consultation service in preparation and issuance of complaints and summons in lieu of a warrant for the State of Ohio Department of Employment Services, Bureau of Liquor Control, Department of Wildlife, Department of Cosmetology, Regional Transit System, Cuyahoga Community College and Conrail in criminal matters conducted within the Parma Municipal Court
  • Provides 24-hour per day consultation service for the Parma Police Department, including availability of personnel for issuance of emergency search warrants
  • Provides consultation service regarding citizen complaints, which include:
    • office conferences
    • telephone conferences
    • scheduling informal prosecutor hearings
    • rendering opinions regarding applicability of criminal procedure
  • Provide consultation service for security personnel of retail establishments in the City of Parma, which includes:
    • review of evidence
    • preparation and issuance of affidavits and warrants
  • Serve as legal consultant to Parma Police S.W.A.T. unit and S.E.B.


Traffic Intervention Program
Implementation of this program commenced Jan. 1, 2000, to assist individuals in restoring driving privileges to become a valid and responsible driver on the public roadways.

While the Traffic Intervention Program grant ended in September 2002, the program continues to operate self-funded. A Law Department program director and two Parma Municipal Court employees work coordinate and implement the program.

Victims Advocate Program
Offering support, advice and comfort to domestic violence victims, this program plays a vital part in the criminal justice system. The program is funded by the City of Parma and Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Juvenile Diversion Program
Juvenile Diversion Program is intended to combat juvenile crime. Juveniles who enter the program avoid formal court action by the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court and instead are sentenced to pay a mandatory fine and perform community service in Parma.