If a police officer stops a driver based on a mistaken understanding of the law, the driver’s Fourth Amendment rights have not been violated, according to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month. The court ruled 8-1 in Heien v. North Carolina, a case in which an officer stopped a driver who was traveling with…
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New legislation passed in the Ohio Senate could create substantial changes in the state’s rules and procedures for issuing concealed-handgun permits if the law is signed into effect by the governor. House Bill 234, as approved by the Senate, ultimately would make it easier for Ohio residents to legally carry a concealed weapon. The bill…
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Law enforcement officers throughout Ohio plan to focus on decreasing the amount of distracted and impaired drivers on the roadway after new statistics show a large increase in traffic fatalities. According to The Columbus Dispatch, figures from the beginning of the year to Dec. 1 show 925 traffic fatalities in Ohio, a number that totals…
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The holidays are supposed to be times spent with family and friends. However, in recent years the night before Thanksgiving has been dubbed “Blackout Wednesday,” a day in which people begin a long period of binge drinking. This day, according to officials, is the start of the worst period for alcohol-related incidents, OVI arrests and…
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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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