Village of Bellville v. Kieffaber

{¶ 1} This certified-conflict case requires us to consider the meaning of, and evidentiary burdens associated with, the phrase “prima facie case” in the context of a traffic citation for excessive speed.

Background and Case Procedure

{¶ 2} An officer with appellee, the village of Bellville, charged appellant, Gary Kieffaber, with speeding in violation of Bellville Ordinance 73.10 on February 13, 2005. When the matter proceeded to a bench trial, Kieffaber requested dismissal. Kieffaber based his request on the officer’s failure to check the box on the citation form indicating that Kieffaber’s…