Rule 14 Magistrates

(A) A court may appoint one or more magistrates for the purpose of receiving pleas, determining guilt or innocence, receiving statements in explanation and in mitigation of sentence, and recommending penalty to be imposed. A magistrate shall have been engaged in the practice of law for at least four years and be in good standing with the Supreme Court of Ohio at the time of appointment. A magistrate shall be provided with court room accommodations resembling as nearly as possible traffic court rooms.

(B) A court may refer nonjury traffic cases to a magistrate. If the offense charged is an offense for which imprisonment is a possible penalty, the case may be referred only with the unanimous consent of the parties, in writing or on the record in open court. The consent of an alleged juvenile traffic offender or his or her parent, guardian, or custodian shall not be required.

(C) Proceedings before the magistrate shall be conducted as provided in Criminal Rule 19. A defendant’s payment of a fine does not constitute a waiver of the defendant’s right to file objections to the magistrate’s decision.