Chapter 123: Department of Law

Sections

• 123.01   Department established
• 123.02   Appointment and removal of Director
• 123.03   Qualifications of Director
• 123.04   Duties of Director
• 123.05   Prosecutor

Cross references

• Director established; duties - see CHTR. Art. VII, Sec. 1, 3
• Legal counsel - see Ohio R.C. 733.48

123.01   Department established

Pursuant to Article VII, Section 3, of the Charter, there is hereby established a Department of Law, which shall be composed of a Director of Law and Prosecutor, who shall be an Assistant Director of Law.
(Ord. 2006-23. Passed 5-22-06.)

123.02   Appointment and removal of director

The Director of Law shall be the head of the Department of Law and shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of all members elected to Council. He may be removed from office by the Mayor, but such removal shall not take place without the concurrence of a majority of the members of Council.
(Ord. 1965-638. Passed 12-27-65.)

123.03   Qualifications of director

No person shall act as Director of Law unless duly admitted to the practice of law in Ohio and in good standing. He need not be a resident of the Municipality.
(Ord. 1965-638. Passed 12-27-65.)

123.04   Duties of director

The Director of Law shall attend all regular and special meetings of Council; furnish legal advice to the Mayor, Council, the administrative departments and officers, boards and commissions of the Municipality, except the Police Department on criminal investigations and prosecutions; prepare all ordinances, resolutions, notices, contracts and other legislation required. Except for those matters assigned to the Prosecutor, the Director of Law shall represent the Municipality in all proceedings in court or before any administrative board or commission and shall perform such other duties consistent with his office as the Mayor or Council may request.
(Ord. 2006-23. Passed 5-22-06.)

123.05   Prosecutor

1. (a) Prosecutor. There is hereby established the position of Prosecutor, who shall be an Assistant Director of Law, and who shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of all members elected to Council. The Prosecutor may be removed from office by the Mayor, but such removal shall not take place without the concurrence of a majority of the members of Council. No person shall act as Prosecutor unless duly admitted to the practice of law in Ohio and in good standing, and the Prosecutor need not be a resident of the Municipality.

2. (b) Duties. The Prosecutor shall: provide legal advice to the Police Department and any other department regarding the enforcement of state felony or misdemeanor laws, or municipal laws which may be prosecuted in the Bedford Municipal Court; represent the municipality in all matters before the Bedford Municipal Court; and perform such other duties consistent with the office as the Mayor, Council or the Director of Law may request.
   (Ord. 2006-23. Passed 5-22-06.)