The general division has original jurisdiction in all criminal felony cases. In civil cases, the general division has original jurisdiction in cases where the amount in controversy is more than $500, and exclusive original jurisdiction in cases where the amount in controversy is more than $15,000.
The Domestic Relations Division has jurisdiction over all proceedings involving divorce or dissolution of marriages, annulment, legal separation, spousal support, and allocation of parental rights and responsibilities for the care of children.
Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division – In addition to jurisdiction over wills, estate matters, and guardianships, the probate division has jurisdiction over the issuance of marriage licenses, adoption proceedings, determination of sanity or mental competency, name changes and certain eminent domain proceedings.
Juvenile proceedings are conducted in the Favreau Room located on the 2nd Floor of the Court House. The Favreau Room is dedicated to the Honorable Dan W. Favreau who served as Common Pleas Judge from 1992 to 2021 and presided over all four divisions without a magistrate during his entire thirty years on the bench.
Judge Wells serves on the 18 member Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Court. The Conservancy Court appoints the Boards of Directors and Appraisers of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD). Together with the Army Corps of Engineers, the MWCD operates a system of dams and reservoirs providing flood mitigation and recreation opportunities throughout the 8000 square mile watershed (20% of Ohio).