The vast myriad of legal terms can be difficult for almost anyone to understand, especially for those who are not typically involved in the court systems. When you hear about municipal law, you and other Ohio residents may be confused. Just what is municipal law and how does it involve you?
Certain areas of law, such as personal injury or divorce, require little explanation as to their purpose. Municipal law, on the other hand, can be extremely broad and may involve numerous areas. According to FindLaw, a municipality is a formal word to designate a city or county, as well as the bodies that govern the area. Therefore, municipal law pertains to legal areas specific to this city or county and its government bodies. You may find it interesting to learn that you and other residents can control municipal law by electing your city and county officials and voting on local laws.
Municipal law can include everything from land use and zoning to police power, property taxes and education policies. You may be involved in a municipal law case regarding a disagreement with your neighbor over the property line, a tax dispute involving your small business, a rule you disagree with involving your child’s school or a civil rights issue, such as police brutality.
Cities and counties often obtain corporate counsel from attorneys experienced in municipal law. As you may imagine, this area of law can be extremely complex and difficult to interpret. Therefore, the information in this blog is meant for general educational purposes and should not replace the advice of a lawyer.
