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Generally speaking, to importune means to urge somebody to do something. In terms of Ohio’s sex offense laws, specifically O.R.C. 2907.07, importuning is defined as soliciting a minor to engage in sexual activity. Anyone who asks, entices, or coerces a person under 17 years of age to have sex or participate in any other sex […]

If you’re involved in a criminal case, you might have encountered the term “plea bargain” or “plea deal” but might not be too familiar with this concept or what it means to you. Essentially, a plea bargain is an offer the prosecuting attorney will make to settle your case out of court. It requires that […]

In many cases, if you’re caught driving above the posted speed limit, an officer can pull you over and issue a citation. Generally, such offenses are minor misdemeanors, which means they’re punishable by only a fine. In this circumstance, you won’t be jailed for speeding. However, some situations exist in which speeding (and associated driving […]

If you have been arrested or summoned to court because you have allegedly committed a crime, the first proceeding you will go through is the arraignment. Note that this is not your criminal trial – that comes later. The arraignment is a proceeding in which you will learn about the charges against you and the […]

Although medical marijuana has been legal in Ohio since 2016, recreational use and possession of cannabis is still against the law. However, Ohio law currently decriminalizes possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana, which is the highest threshold of any state.  The following is a breakdown of the marijuana possession penalties in Ohio:  Less than 100 grams – Possession of this amount is considered […]

A first OVI/DUI conviction in Ohio carries a jail sentence of up to six months, driver’s license suspension for three years, and a maximum fine of $1,075. However, if certain aggravating factors are apparent, a first-time offense can lead to harsher criminal penalties or even a felony charge.  The following are some of the common aggravating […]

If you are arrested for an OVI in Ohio, the officers may ask you to take a chemical test (e.g., breath, blood, or urine test) to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) or the amount of drugs in your system. Unfortunately, refusing to take a post-arrest chemical test can result in serious consequences.  According to Ohio’s “implied consent” […]

According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), in 2018, there were 433 offenders of illegal fentanyl distribution, making up just over 2% of drug trafficking crimes committed in the United States. And while that might not seem like a lot, it represents a 4,711.1% increase from just four years earlier. In 2014, there were only […]

In Ohio, if you have an illegal drug or a medication without a prescription, you could be charged with either possession or aggravated possession of controlled substances. Although they contain similar elements – both involve knowingly obtaining, using, or possessing drugs – they differ in the type of substance involved. Controlled Substances Schedules Before delving […]

A conviction for any crime can come with severe penalties. For instance, you could be incarcerated and/or fined. However, some sanctions exist that are not imposed by the court but are required by law. If you’re a convicted felon, one such consequence is the loss of your gun rights, which means you would be prohibited […]

During election year or when major events happen in the community, state, or country, you might start to notice signs popping up in your neighbors’ yards. Such displays may show support for a certain candidate or generate awareness about a social issue. Although they are simply rectangular pieces of plastic, they can create a lot […]

If you’ve ever read Ohio’s burglary law, you might notice that divisions (A)(1), (2), and (3) state that a person commits the offense when they “trespass in an occupied structure.” That may raise the question of whether it’s an offense under this statute to enter a building or home when it’s unoccupied, meaning no one […]

Swatting refers to a practice in which a person calls police to report a false emergency. Often, the goal of such conduct is to get armed officers, or even a SWAT team, dispatched to the location of the “offense.” Many times, swatting pranks are committed as jokes. However, others are done as acts of revenge. […]

In Ohio, just as it’s illegal to possess controlled substances, so too is it unlawful to have any object that would facilitate the consumption or injection of drugs into the body. The State has a couple of statutes that prohibit such conduct, one such being O.R.C. 2925.12 – possessing drug abuse instruments. The law pertains […]

In Ohio, if a person is accused of purposely killing another individual, they may be charged under O.R.C. 2903.02 (murder) or O.R.C. 2903.01 (aggravated murder). The latter charge is considered more serious than the former, and several factors determine which law is applied to a particular case. Regardless of which offense the person is charged […]

When someone is accused of a crime, a prosecutor will write what’s referred to as an information that includes details about the alleged offense. In some cases, even though a single crime was committed, the defendant may be charged with multiple counts of it. For instance, the information might state that the defendant is being […]

Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is considered a modern-day type of slavery, as alleged victims involuntarily perform work or services for others. A trafficking offense occurs when someone uses fraud, coercion, or force to exploit a person. If the alleged offender intends to make the alleged victim perform a sex […]

If you’re arrested for an OVI, you can face some harsh penalties. And one of those penalties can be imposed upon you automatically and immediately, even before your case resolves in court. That’s because, depending on your circumstances, you may be subject to an Administrative License Suspension (ALS). This is when the Ohio Bureau of […]

Unfortunately, there are situations in which a verbal argument escalates to a physical altercation. Any of the people involved in the fight, or a witness to the incident, might call the police to report it, which may lead to criminal charges being filed. Now, whether or not any of the fighters will be charged with […]

Zoom is a popular videoconferencing app that allows people to connect virtually. It is used by individuals, companies, schools, places of worship, and more. A meeting is started by one individual (the host) sharing a link with those they are seeking to talk to. However, some uninvited guests have found ways to get the link […]

A protection order is issued by a court and establishes specific terms the person named (the respondent) must abide by. It is usually sought as part of a domestic violence case when a member of the respondent’s household or family seeks relief from future harm. Essentially, the order is a way to provide additional protection […]

A criminal case typically begins with an arrest and a charge for a crime. Although “arrested” and “charged” are often used together, they are not the same thing. If you have been arrested, that does not necessarily mean that you have been charged with a crime. In this blog, we’ll discuss the differences between the […]

When you call 911 to report a crime, fire, or another emergency, you do so knowing that the police or fire department will respond quickly to remedy the problem. However, if you call for an emergency response knowing that the report you’re making is not true, you could be charged with the crime of making […]

If you’ve ever had a run-in with the police, you’ve probably heard these words: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice… You have the right to have a lawyer with you […]

Ohio residents seeking to concealed carry a firearm face a lot of restrictions. Getting the permit can be difficult enough, but figuring out when a weapon can and cannot be carried can be a nightmare. To help educate people on this issue, we’ve put together a short Ohio concealed carry FAQ. Q: Do I Need […]

Hazing is seen as a natural part of Greek life. For a person to be initiating into a fraternity or sorority, they must endure various rituals that are often humiliating and strenuous. Although many college students, especially members of these organizations, find these rituals necessary and funny, the reality is that the conduct has harmful, […]

In this country, your right to bear arms is protected under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. And while states cannot enact laws that illegally restrict that right, they can establish statutes that regulate how you can handle your firearm. In Ohio, one such law is that concerning having a gun in your vehicle. […]

Broadly defined, identity fraud occurs when someone uses another individual’s personal identifying information without their consent. The most common type of identity fraud occurs with stolen credit cards and credit card numbers. When someone uses these financial devices to purchase goods or services, they can cost the merchant money because of disputes. Because identity fraud […]

Police officers are tasked with enforcing laws and ensuring public safety. In Ohio, if a person interrupts a cop’s official duties, they could be accused of committing a crime. In fact, there are several different laws that the individual could be charged with if they do not obey a law enforcement officer’s orders or try […]

Menacing Charge in Ohio Under Ohio Revised Code 2903.211, menacing, menacing by stalking, or aggravated menacing are felony charges. A menacing charge in Ohio means a person has threatened physical harm, damage to property or mental distress (causing a mental state that would require treatment by a professional). It is also illegal for a person […]

Many states have enacted what are referred to as Red Flag laws. Under these types of measures, if specific people believe that an individual who possesses guns could potentially harm themselves or others, they could petition the court to have the firearms taken away. The individual would also be prohibited from purchasing new guns until […]

With about 96% of Americans owning cell phones, these devices have become a necessary modern convenience. Although many individuals have them, because they allow people to do so much – like talk, text, take pictures, and listen to music – they are still in high demand. It seems as if every year a new one […]

A mayor’s court is an establishment that hears cases for traffic offenses and minor misdemeanors that do not result in jail time. Whereas in a municipal or state court the proceeding is heard by a judge, in a mayor’s court, a person presents their case to a mayor or magistrate. Often, the person hearing the […]

Unfortunately, for various reasons, marriages can end. Because you and your spouse may have had children together, purchased a house, shared finances, and/or incurred debts, you have a lot to consider when making the difficult decision to split up. In some cases, you and your spouse may agree on how to resolve these matters; however, […]

The spinal cord is comprised of a bundle of nerves that relay messages between the brain and nearly all other parts of the body. If it becomes damaged, bodily communication can be halted, affecting your ability to move, sense external stimuli, and/or control other functions. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can have a profound impact […]

Statute of Limitations for Ohio Theft Crimes Dayton Theft Crimes Lawyer The statute of limitations is the amount of time a prosecutor has to file charges against an individual accused of committing an offense. The court may no longer have jurisdiction over a case if the state fails to take legal action before the specified […]

Generally defined, conspiracy is the act of planning to carry out a criminal offense with one or more other people. Even if the individuals involved do not actually commit the crime, they could all be penalized with jail or prison sentences that are nearly as severe as if they had followed through. Conspiracy Under the […]

Because each state has its own laws regarding when a couple can file for a divorce, these types of proceedings may be difficult if one of the spouses lives elsewhere. Generally, at least one of the spouses involved in the divorce must be a resident of the state for a certain amount of time before […]

Although Ohio does not have a specific law that prohibits an individual convicted of domestic violence from owning a firearm, federal law does. Two separate U.S. statutes make it illegal for someone involved in a domestic violence matter to ship, transport, possess, or purchase a gun. Because the state receives money through the Violence Against […]

John H. Rion has been recently elected President of The American Board of Criminal Lawyers at their annual meeting in Austin, Texas. The American Board of Criminal Lawyers is a select, invitation only, group of lawyers whose membership is highly scrutinized. Mr. Rion, after years of practice in the field of criminal law, was made […]

1. Did you know that Ohio Senate Bill 252 holds schools and organizations more accountable for preventing sudden cardiac arrest issues during youth activities? The Bill requires a coach at a school or a youth sports organization to annually undergo training, making them more likely to recognize such an issue and pull an athlete from […]

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — The scene was an all-too-familiar one on the streets of America’s cities: a black suspect on the ground, roughed up by white police officers as an angry crowd looked on. But Yellow Springs is a tiny, predominantly white village, and the arrest at the annual New Year’s street celebration was an […]