Allegations that a person has committed certain crimes with a “deadly weapon” are serious legal matters. Even carrying a “deadly weapon” in a school zone or on a university’s campus may be enough to trigger an arrest and criminal prosecution. Such laws are meant to dissuade and prevent people from carrying firearms and knives in …
Possessing and Carrying “Deadly Weapons” in Ohio Read More »
Getting a ticket for speeding or not coming to a full stop at a stop sign may seem like more of a nuisance than a serious matter. While paying the fine and associated costs may not be pleasant, in many cases the strain or hardship caused by a traffic ticket is mild. Ignore a traffic …
Drivers’ License Suspensions in the State of Ohio Read More »
Many Ohio drivers have experienced being pulled over by a law enforcement officer. While any driver can be stopped if they commit a traffic infraction or if the officer believes other criminal activity is afoot, drivers still retain certain rights. The driver must be permitted to go on their way in a timely manner if …
Rights of Passengers During Traffic Stops in Ohio Read More »
Law enforcement officers do not need to know a person has consumed alcohol before stopping that person’s vehicle and commencing an OVI investigation. Similarly, a driver need not be under the influence of alcohol in order for an officer to place that person under arrest. Drivers may be arrested and face OVI charges if there …
Can I Be Charged with OVI if I Have a Prescription? Read More »
Like any other relationship, the professional relationship between a lawyer and their client can turn south and deteriorate if the parties do not have a clear understanding of what each can expect from the other. Nowhere is this truer than in the context of the criminal case. Both the criminal defendant and the defense attorney …
What Can I Expect from My Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyer? Read More »
Law enforcement agencies throughout Ohio as well as the rest of the nation often depend on undercover officers and informants to help identify criminal behavior and make arrests. The angry cry of the person caught in the snare of an investigation involving an undercover officer or informant usually is, “I’ve been set up!” Most who …
The Entrapment Defense in Ohio Criminal Defense Cases Read More »
Most would not be surprised to learn that a person who is stopped by law enforcement and found with a baggie of methamphetamine in their pocket will be charged with – and likely convicted of – drug possession. What may be surprising to some, though, is that the prosecution need not prove that the person …
Consent may be a valid defense to charges of rape or other sexual crimes, but establishing that an alleged victim consented to sexual contact on a specific occasion may not always be easy. In many cases, the only two individuals in a sex crimes case who have first-hand knowledge as to whether the alleged victim …
Even in a city the size of Columbus, it is not uncommon to run into people you know in and around the courthouse. The clerk who takes your payment for your speeding ticket may have been someone you went to high school with, or you may see your child’s sports coach at his “day job” …
Ethical Rules Prohibit Judges from Talking to One Party About a Case Read More »
Nearly everyone has had an experience of “buyer’s remorse” – believing that something was such a great deal only to bring it home and discover that what seemed to be a “must-have” item really wasn’t all that special. It is a feeling that even criminal defendants may experience after they have accepted a plea agreement …
Can I Withdraw My Plea in My Ohio Criminal Case? Read More »
