Justices of the peace are judges who handle both civil and criminal cases, including small claims court, justice court, and administrative hearings. In practical terms, these are lawsuits over debts, evictions, car accidents, unlawful towing, and property.

Their criminal workload involves disposing of all class C criminal misdemeanor complaints, such as traffic citations, issuance of bad check, and others. These cases involve payment, setting contested cases for trial, and pretrial hearings with the county prosecutor.

Other duties include presiding over peace bond hearings, reviewing applications for mental health or chemically dependent commitments, conducting compulsory school attendance trials, and giving warnings to juveniles required by law. They issue warrants for and conduct hearings concerning seizure and disposition of cruelly treated animals. Most justices of the peace perform marriage ceremonies as well.

In Ohio, the role described as 'justices of the peace' does not exist in the same form as it might in other states or historical contexts. Ohio's judicial system includes mayors' courts, municipal courts, and county courts that handle various minor civil and criminal matters. For instance, municipal courts and county courts can deal with small claims, evictions, and minor criminal offenses. Traffic citations and other minor misdemeanors are typically handled by municipal or county courts. Mayors' courts, which exist in some smaller municipalities, can also handle traffic and other minor misdemeanor cases. Administrative hearings may be conducted by various state or local administrative agencies depending on the subject matter. Duties such as presiding over certain types of hearings, issuing warrants, and performing marriage ceremonies are typically carried out by judges or magistrates within the appropriate court system. It's important to note that the specific procedures and jurisdictional limits can vary by court and location within the state. For detailed information on the jurisdiction and duties of specific courts in Ohio, consulting an attorney or the local court's rules would be necessary.