Criminal Defense

In 2002, the Ohio legislature enacted the serious youthful offender or "SYO" sentencing law. Under the SYO sentencing law, juvenile offenders who are designated serious youthful offenders are not bound over to adult court. Rather, juvenile offenders designated serious...

Many people believe that when contacted by the police there is no harm in talking. Unfortunately, they are mistaken and, as a result, serious consequences can occur. Most people are unaware that police officers are allowed to lie to individuals during a criminal...

This month a judge in New York ruled that mentioning a protected person in a Facebook post constitutes communication and therefore violates protection orders. The criminal defense attorney in the case argued that the charges should be dismissed because the protection...

Minimum Insurance Requirements For Ohio Drivers Under Ohio law, drivers must carry automobile insurance or other proof of financial responsibility. The state requires drivers to purchase liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage. The current...

The predominant objective for most people who face a criminal charge is to prevent a conviction. Given that dismissals are highly uncommon in criminal cases and jury verdicts are uncertain, delayed adjudication programs such as diversion are an excellent way to...

The Ohio Revised Code provides people charged with specific offenses the option to receive assistance and/or treatment in order avoid a felony conviction. Intervention in lieu of conviction ("ILC") is available in certain cases where the offender's drug or alcohol...

Today, the Ohio Supreme Court in State v. Barry, rejected the "Unmistakable Crime Doctrine," as it relates to the offense of tampering with evidence. The issue presented was whether a person who commits an obvious crime (i.e., an unmistakable crime) has constructive...

Does an inoperable handgun constitute a 'deadly weapon' under Ohio's carrying a concealed weapon statute? The Ohio Supreme Court doesn't think so. In re J.T., the Ohio Supreme Court held an inoperable pistol that is not used as a bludgeon is not a 'deadly weapon' for...

Less than three weeks ago, a Warren County grand jury indicted Sam Perone on one count of murder stemming from a death that occurred 23 years ago. The victim, Richard Woods, was killed on October 8, 1992. His body was found over one month later in a wooded ravine...

The Cincinnati Enquirer recently published a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the death of Mason resident Susan Sparks. You can read the details in the lengthy article, which discusses Susan's long battle with mental illness, her relationships with family...