Ohio drivers could have new restrictions when getting behind the wheel if a bill seeking to ban cell phone use in some areas and make texting while driving a primary traffic offense gains support in the legislature. House Bill 637, sponsored by State Representative Rex Damschroder, would prohibit the use of any electronic wireless communication…
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Ohio is one of several states that has taken measures to help residents seal their criminal records. Now, a new state law is giving more people the opportunity to suppress past convictions. Senate Bill 143 amended the definition of “eligible offender” who may apply for sealing under the Conviction Record Sealing Law. Previously the law…
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The Ohio Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that defendants facing drunk driving charges can challenge the accuracy of their breathalyzer tests, potentially changing the outcome of thousands of cases throughout the state. Defendants now will be allowed to challenge the information received from their tests by obtaining data from prior results generated by the…
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A bill proposed in the Ohio legislature last month could require people convicted of public indecency to register as sex offenders if children were their intended targets. Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, introduced Senate Bill 358 in September in response to an incident earlier this year in Baltimore, Ohio, according to Cleveland.com. Police caught a 46-year-old man…
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Ohio is one of several states that has not moved to support medical marijuana, but organizations and politicians, including gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald, still are hoping to see the measure on a future ballot. FitzGerald said Wednesday he supports legalizing medical marijuana in Ohio, according to Cincinnati.com. He said the drug, which still is illegal…
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Violent crime reports in major Ohio cities have decreased in the past two years, but victims of certain violent attacks still could seek compensation for the losses they incurred because of the crimes. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office offers the Crime Victims Compensation Program which allows people who are victims of violent crimes to apply…
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Judges in Ohio could have more leeway in sentencing low-level felons to prison time rather than probation and treatment programs if a proposed bill gains support and makes its way through the legislature this session. State Rep. Nick Barborak introduced House Bill 251 nearly a year ago, according to cleveland.com, but the measure still has…
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Police in Cincinnati Ohio have issued an arrest warrant for a 25 year old woman who they say brutally assaulted two sisters outside of an apartment building. The incident was recorded on a cell phone and the alleged offender can be seen, along with a group of females, punching and kicking the victims numerous times….
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This week a former resident of Dublin, Ohio plead guilty to multiple charges involved in a massive fraud scheme, including money laundering, wire fraud, filing false tax returns and other white collar offenses. His scheme, involving false investments in real estate, totaled over $10 million. This situation is obviously an extreme case, but white collar…
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A hearing yesterday resulted in a former Franklin County bus driver being sentences to 30 days in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a 14-year-old boy on the bus that she drove. The 23 year-old driver will also serve 3 years on probation, pay a fine of $500 and be forced to register as…
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