It seems that whether the issue is drugs, alcohol, bullying, risky driving, media consumption, or sex, studies are showing that parents consistently underestimate their own kid’s interest or participation in these behaviors. In one recent study, researchers found that parents severely underestimated their teen's drug and alcohol use. And, in a 2010 study researchers found that many [...]
The criminal act of stalking or menacing by stalking, under Ohio law, is described as "knowingly causing another person fear of physical harm or mental distress." Although this act doesn't require physical contact with a person for it to be considered illegal, it is still considered a punishable crime for individuals convicted of stalking. A [...]
Ohio and every other state say the difference between a state and federal crime is whether you have broken a state or federal law. If you broke a federal law, then you have committed a Federal offense. An investigation for a federal crime is typically initiated by the federal government long before charges are filed. [...]
Because of the internet, it is easier than ever to get information on anyone, including criminal records. These records are just a blip in time, but can have far reaching effects into the future of a person. Here is an example for one man who ran into some trouble with the law when he was [...]
There’s no question that the Internet and the dominance of social media blur the line between public and private. No matter what is shared online, even when put on “restricted” to acquaintances or a select few viewers via privacy preferences, is just a few mouse clicks away from being in the public sphere. Now that [...]
The most popular social platform is Facebook. It has become to comfortable that people are not even filtering what they post or upload on the internet. We all know that people have become extremely absorbed by social media networks. A recent piece of news shows some unfiltered and hurtful posts on Facebook that landed a [...]
When you think of Cyber Crime several stand out. Cyber pornography. Sending malware to destroy businesses' and individuals' computers. Cyberbullying. Identity theft. Stealing information from people's computers. Does downloading information without paying for it really deserve to be lumped in with the others as a federal crime? Yes, according to the entertainment industry, which has long been at [...]
Have you missed a court date? The bad news is you can’t always “make it up”. When you have been ordered to appear for court and then fail to show up, you could be facing additional criminal charges. Ohio judges expect people to show up for their “appointments”, particularly if they were granted bail. Things [...]
Your Miranda rights, you’ve heard them read on television a million times and probably know them by heart, but do you know when you must be given these rights? Do you know when you have them? Just for some background, the Miranda Rights were spawned from a 1966 Supreme Court Decision involving a defendant named Miranda. [...]
A very distraught gentleman recently came in to our law offices after learning he was being investigated for possession of child pornography. Under Ohio law, this crime is called Pandering Obscenity Involving a Minor, a fourth degree felony in Ohio. If convicted, he would face 6-18 months in prison on each count plus registering as a [...]