The Akron Municipal Court serves the cities of Akron and Fairlawn; the townships of Bath, Richfield and Springfield; the Villages of Lakemore and Richfield; and that part of Mogadore in Summit County, Ohio. The subject matter jurisdiction of a court is its ability to hear and decide the specific kinds of cases. The Akron Municipal Court has jurisdiction in misdemeanor criminal cases where the maximum sentence is one year in jail and a fine of not more than $2,500.00. The Akron Municipal Court also handles the initial stages of felony proceedings prior to trial. In civil matters, this jurisdiction is limited to cases where the monetary claim requested by either party is not more than $15,000. Jury trials are held upon request in all criminal cases except for minor misdemeanors and in all civil cases.