In an update to a previous blog post, the Ohio Supreme Court has decided a case that has drastic implications for how the weight of drugs, and specifically cocaine, is determined. In State v. Gonzales, the Court held that the State must prove the weight of the actual...
Ohio Legal Issues Blog
Stay safe this holiday season
The holidays can be a joyous time of year. Many of us look forward to the holiday season as an opportunity to reconnect with family, enjoy the spirit of giving and renew traditions that call to mind our own childhoods. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah,...
Potential changes to Ohio’s sexual offender registration requirements
The Ohio Sentencing Commission and the Ohio Criminal Justice Recodification Committee have recently proposed changes to Ohio's sexual offender registration laws. These changes would give judges more discretion when sentencing people convicted of certain offenses. If...
Cold weather and leaving your vehicle unattended
The bitter cold weather has arrived here in Ohio and it doesn't appear it's going away anytime soon. Before the day begins, you may be inclined to start your car to warm it up and leave it unattended to finish getting ready for work. Many people do this. And they...
A man’s home is his castle: Self defense and the Castle Doctrine
When individuals are charged with serious offenses of violence against another, they may want to argue self-defense in showing they were justified in engaging in deadly force. If the accused is found to have acted in self-defense then the accused will be found not...
Taking responsibility for distracted drivers
Drivers are responsible for their conduct behind the wheel. If a driver causes an accident while texting or posting on Facebook, he or she should be held liable for any injuries that result. Driver responsibility does not necessarily mean that the makers of cell...
BMV suspensions as a collateral consequence of a traffic ticket
Often times our clients who receive a traffic citation-whether it be for speeding or an OVI-face collateral consequences from the BMV as a result of a conviction. The two most frequent issues we see from the BMV are insurance suspensions and/or 12 point...
The impact of tired driving on car accidents
A lack of sleep can be as dangerous as alcohol consumption when it comes to car accidents. A new report has concluded that fatigued driving could be more dangerous than most people believe. Given the nationwide epidemic of sleep deprivation, that is bad news for...
Motorcycle safety and autonomous vehicles
When a car and a motorcycle collide, the fault often lies with the driver of the automobile. The typical excuse from the driver is that he or she never saw the motorcycle. In other words, driver error is the most likely cause of crashes involving cars and motorcycles....
Can I Leave The Marital Residence?
Many people come in for their first consultation and one of the questions that they have is whether they can leave the marital residence. They want to know if it is OK to leave or if they are abandoning the house. Under Ohio law you do not lose any property interest...

