The last thing that people want to do when they have been hurt is to undertake extra stress. It takes a toll, both physically and emotionally, to experience and recover from a significant injury. There are many reasons why you should consult with an attorney very...
Year: 2022
The unwritten Spousal Social Security Benefit of divorce
Even if it is not written into your divorce paperwork, there may be an added benefit you can collect on once you reach retirement age, if you qualify. So long as you were married for at least 10 years, both parties are at least 62 years of age and you have not...
Commonly Asked Questions about Guardian Ad Litem
1. What is a Guardian ad litem (GAL)? A Guardian Ad Litem, or a “GAL”, is a court appointed professional who acts as a neutral third-party voice in a court case involving children. As defined by Ohio Rules of Superintendence “Guardian ad litem means an individual...
UNDERSTANDING THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDER PROCESS
A domestic violence civil protection order may be appropriate if a person believes they are the victim of domestic violence or fears imminent harm from a family member or person with whom they were in a dating relationship at the time. The party seeking protection is...
What you need to know about the Law Enforcement Administrative License Suspension
What is an Administrative License Suspension (“ALS”)? Unfortunately, when an individual is charged with a first offense OVI, the law enforcement officer must place the person under a 90-day Administrative License Suspension (“ALS”) if the person submits to a chemical...
If my child or someone I know is injured or drowns at a pool, who is legally liable?
Summertime means cold drinks and popsicles for a refreshment, and if you’re lucky, swimming and relaxing by a pool. Time at the pool with friends or family can be some of the best memories created for many people. That is what we hope for at Rittgers Rittgers &...
I Wasn’t Read My Rights. Can I still be convicted of a crime?
Whether it is in a movie or your favorite episode of Law & Order, whenever someone is arrested for an alleged crime, the police always read the individual their Miranda Rights. Those rights include the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the...
Can Law Enforcement Search Your Backpack Without A Warrant?
According to the Ohio Supreme Court, No. In State v. Burroughs, Slip Opinion No. 2022-Ohio-2146, the Court recently held that a specific exception to the warrant requirement, “the single purpose container exception”, applies only when the illegal contents of the...
FedEx Truck Crash Lawyers
When you drive past a semi-truck and see the name “FedEx” on the side of it, you likely assume that you can trust not only the company, but the driver behind the wheel as well. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In 2018, an appeals court in New Mexico upheld...
Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima Criminal Team Secures a Jury Trial Victory
Last week, in the Dayton Municipal Court, Montgomery County, Ohio, J.R. Bernans secured a not guilty verdict for his client in his first solo jury trial. Mr. Bernans’ client was charged with public indecency, a sex offense, and a misdemeanor of the fourth degree under...