Law
- Department Location
- Parma City Hall
6611 Ridge Road
440-885-8132
- Hours of Operation
- Quick Links
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- On This Page
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Civil Division
Generally, the office handles litigation wherein the City or its employees are named parties, rendering assistance in miscellaneous administrative hearings, drafting legislation, the rendering of legal opinions to City officers, and the prosecution of misdemeanor crimes under both Ohio statute and Parma Ordinances.
The office has produced approximately 65 formal written legal
opinions in 2008, as well as numerous confidential legal opinions and email responses to legal questions.
A countless number of informal oral opinions have also been
rendered to City officers either in person or via telephone.
Further, approximately 370 pieces of legislation (ordinances
or resolutions) have been prepared in 2008.
Commencing January 30, 1996, the Law Department and the Parma
City School District, in conjunction with the Board of Education,
entered into a letter agreement in which the Law Department
would provide legal services to the School District. The scope
of the legal services covers the provision of legal opinions
on various matters pertaining to the day-to-day operation
of the School District, as well as representation in administrative
hearings and/or in administrative personnel matters.
Claims Management:
This office has initiated policies to recover funds from persons
who have damaged city property and adjust claims by individuals
damaged as a result of city activity.
In addition, the Law Department conducts Risk Management
Committee Meetings comprised of Department Heads within the
City on a semi-annual basis to review and address areas of
concern pertaining to the City’s Risk Management Program.
Enforcement of Parma's Fair Housing Ordinance:
The City of Parma's Fair Housing Ordinance prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. If you feel your fair housing rights have been violated, you have the right to file a fair housing complaint with the City's Fair Housing Administrator, in writing, within one year of the alleged violation. Once your complaint is filed, it will be promptly investigated to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation of the Fair Housing Ordinance has occurred. If the complaint is not ultimately resolved through conciliation, and if there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation has taken place, the complaint will be referred to the City's Fair Housing Review Board for an adjudicative hearing.
If you need further information regarding the Fair Housing Ordinance or would like to file a Fair Housing Complaint, please contact the Fair Housing Administrator in the Law Department.
Landlord-Tenant Assistance Program:
In July, 2001, the Law Department implemented a Landlord-Tenant
Assistance Program as a service to Parma residents. The program
is designed to provide information about and answers to frequently
asked questions regarding landlord and tenant rights and obligations.
Miscellaneous:
- Representation of City before the Liquor Control Commission
in Columbus and Cleveland regarding objection to issuance
or renewal of liquor permits.
- Representation of City administrators in responding to
grievances filed to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
and Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
- Attendance at meetings of Council, City administrative
boards, and Cuyahoga County Law Director's Association.
- Representation of Parma City School Board on various issues.
- Representation of Parma Public Housing Agency in such
diverse areas as compliance with federal laws and regulation,
tenant relations, evictions, and relations with HUD.
Criminal Division
The Prosecutor's Office is directly responsible for the operation
and supervision of the Criminal Division of the Law Department,
under the Law Director, in the Parma Municipal Court.
This office prosecutes all criminal cases on behalf of the
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 prosecutes or defends with preparation of briefs
and arguments on all appeals, in criminal cases on behalf
of the City of Parma to the applicable higher court, 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 Judges of the Parma Municipal Court.
- 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 agencies of the State
of Ohio and departments within the City of Parma.
- 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:
An application was prepared by the Law Department and grant
monies were received from the State of Ohio, Office of the
Governor’s Highway Safety Representative to set up an
accountability program entitled Traffic Intervention Program
(TIP). Implementation of this program commenced January 1,
2000, to assist individuals in restoring his/her driving privileges
to become a valid and responsible driver on the public roadways.
While the TIP grant ended in September of 2002, the program
continues to operate self-funded. The Program Director, a
member of the Law Department, together with two employees
of the Parma Municipal Court coordinate and implement the
program.
Victims Advocate Program:
On August 27, 1999, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office
announced the award of a three-year grant to the City of Parma
to help Victims of Crime. This grant was
used to hire a Victim’s Advocate for the City of Parma
at the Parma Municipal Court. This position plays a vital
role in the criminal justice system as they offer support,
advice, and comfort to victims of domestic violence. The Victim's Advocate has completed her 9th full year of assisting victims under the direction of the Law Director. This position continues to be funded by the City of Parma and the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Juvenile Diversion Program:
The Juvenile Diversion Program, which officially began on June 27, 1998, completed its tenth full year of operation under the direction of the Parma Law Director's Office. In 2008, the program continued to handle first-time traffic and criminal offenses. The Juvenile Diversion Program is intended to combat juvenile crime in the City of Parma. 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/or perform community service in Parma, or make a donation for the needy families in our community.
Law Director
Timothy G. Dobeck
General Contact Information for the Law Department
Phone: (440) 885-8132
Fax Line: (440) 885-8008
Email: law@cityofparma-oh.gov
Mr. Dobeck has been Parma’s Law Director and Chief
Prosecutor since 1999; with oversight of the law department’s
civil and criminal divisions. (See section that outlines functions
of the law department and duties of each division)
Prior to being elected to his post, he was an assistant Cuyahoga
County prosecutor for 11 years in the Major Trials Division.
No stranger to municipal government, Mr. Dobeck also has served
as a Parma Councilman.
His professional memberships and affiliations include the
Ohio State Bar Association, Cuyahoga County Bar Association,
Parma Bar Association, National District Attorneys Association,
Citizens League, Parma Area Chamber of Commerce and Democratic
Ward Leader (Parma Ward 7).
Mr. Dobeck is licensed to practice in the state of Ohio and
before the U.S. District Court (Northern District of Ohio), the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Chief Assistant Law Director
Timothy B. Miller
Contact Information
Office: (440) 885-8132
Fax Line: (440) 885-8008
Email: law@cityofparma-oh.gov
Timothy Miller was named Chief Assistant Law Director on January 21, 2008.
Mr. Miller was admitted to the Ohio Bar in May, 1987, after receiving his juris doctorate degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Mr. Miller also earned his bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University where he also was a standout member of the baseball team. Mr. Miller was inducted to the CSU Hall of Fame in February, 2008.
Mr. Miller began his legal career in 1987 as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor. From 1987 to 1999, he was also an associate in the law firm of Stavole and Miller, where he engaged in the general practice of law, including municipal law.
From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Miller also served as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Parma. From 1999 to 2008, he was the Chief of the Criminal Division of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, where he was charged with the oversight of more than 200 attorneys and support staff.
Mr. Miller periodically acts as a Magistrate in the Brecksville Mayor's Court. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and is licensed to practice law in Ohio and before the U.S. District Court (Northern District of Ohio).
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