This has been a year marked by many public marches and demonstrations. As Americans, we have the right to peacefully assemble and protest in public places and, with property owners' permission, on private property. However, too often, people who intend only to...
Year: 2016
What is the CAN-SPAM Act?
Many business owners, including professionals like doctors and dentists, use online marketing as a way to bring in customers and clients. E-mail can be a very effective marketing tool. However, it's essential not to run afoul of laws designed to protect consumers from...
Ohio gun restrictions on those convicted of domestic violence
Federal law prohibits anyone who is convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor from possessing or purchasing a firearm or ammunition. However, state laws vary on the matter. Here in Ohio, state law has no such prohibition. However, it's important to know that those...
What are RICO laws?
Many people associate the term "racketeering" with organized crime rings and mob bosses -- mostly based on portrayals seen on TV and in the movies. However, state and federal racketeering laws address a much broader spectrum of offenses. Racketeering involves the...
Getting a DUI without being drunk
While everyone has heard that they should never drink and drive, there are still many people who consume a small amount of alcohol before heading out on the road. These people may be surprised when they are pulled over and given a breathalyzer test that finds their...
Efforts to reduce tax refund identity theft increasing
The Internal Revenue Service, state tax authorities and tax preparers and others have been cracking down during the past decade on tax return fraud linked to identity theft. A pilot program that has been tested to reduce the number of fraudulently-filed returns will...
Could Ohio require violent offenders to go on a registry?
Everyone is familiar with sex offender registries for those convicted of sex crimes. People can remain on these registries for many years after they've completed their prison sentence. Now, two Ohio lawmakers are advocating for a similar registry for people who've...
Cyberbullying charges can have serious legal consequences
Cyberbullying, as most people know, involves using the internet or other technology to intimidate, harass or threaten someone. It's commonly done via text, email and social media sites. While cyberbullying make lack the physical component of the bullying that many of...
How does a felony conviction impact your right to vote in Ohio?
Here in Ohio, we've been inundated recently with a seemingly-endless barrage of ads from the presidential candidates. Every vote may be crucial to electing the next president. However, many people wrongly believe that they are no longer allowed to vote because they...
An out-of-state DUI can affect your Ohio license
When you are driving outside of Ohio, do not think that a traffic violation or drunk driving conviction will remain in that state. In addition to whatever consequences you face in that state, trouble will likely follow you back to Ohio. This also goes for out-of-state...