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A criminal defense case begins inside the attorney’s office, long before any courtroom appearance. From the first phone call, a defense firm follows a structured intake and representation process designed to evaluate the case, protect confidentiality, and begin building a legal strategy.  This typically includes an initial screening, a confidential consultation, execution of a representation agreement, and ongoing legal advocacy through resolution. For defendants, much of the stress comes from uncertainty about how their case is handled behind the scenes. Understanding how attorneys review information, assess legal exposure, manage court deadlines, and communicate with clients helps restore a sense of control.  Each step of the intake and representation process is intentional and focused on safeguarding constitutional rights while positioning the case for the strongest possible outcome. This guide explains what […]

The intersection of modern education methods, like virtual and e-learning, with traditional attendance and truancy laws has created new anxieties for parents. While e-learning offers flexibility, it does not exempt students or parents from the State of Ohio’s strict mandatory attendance requirements. This guide clarifies the rules that define truancy in Ohio, the legal risks parents face, and the critical steps required to protect your family’s stability and your child’s future. Defining Truancy: The Thresholds Under Ohio Law Truancy is legally defined by Ohio Revised Code § 2151.011 and § 3321. It focuses on unexcused absences from the required educational setting, regardless of whether that setting is a physical classroom or a mandated virtual session. The law sets clear limits on when a student will be reported as “habitually truant.”

Navigating Ohio child custody laws is one of the most challenging aspects of separation, directly impacting your child’s future. In Ohio, this process is officially termed the “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.” It is a mandatory judicial review governed by specific statutes designed to achieve a single goal: protecting the child’s future. The Ohio Family Court relies heavily on a strict, nine-factor checklist to remove personal bias from the equation. Understanding these mandatory Ohio custody factors is essential for presenting a strong case focused on the best interest of the child. This guide provides an up-to-date breakdown of the legal standards, the criteria judges must evaluate, and practical steps parents can take to strengthen their position in a child custody dispute in Ohio.   The “Best Interest of the Child”

The bond between a grandparent and a grandchild is precious, but unfortunately, it is often threatened by parental separation, divorce, or disagreements. While Ohio law strongly respects a parent’s constitutional right to raise their child, it also recognizes the importance of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. For grandparents seeking to maintain or establish contact, navigating Ohio’s specific statutes and court procedures requires experienced legal guidance. This guide provides an overview of the legal pathways for grandparent visitation and custody in the state. What Are Grandparent Rights in Ohio? Grandparent rights refer to the legal concept that a court may order parents to permit a grandparent to spend time with their grandchild, even against the parents’ wishes, but only under certain, limited circumstances. When Ohio Law Allows Grandparents to Seek Visitation A grandparent’s

Child Support Calculation in Ohio: Formula, Factors, and Deviations Child support in Ohio is not determined by a judge’s arbitrary decision but by a specific, mandatory formula codified in the Ohio Revised Code. Understanding this calculation is essential for any parent involved in a divorce, dissolution, or custody case, as the result profoundly impacts both financial stability and the child’s standard of living. A miscalculation, a lack of documentation, or failure to argue a key deviation factor could cost you or your child thousands of dollars annually. The final figure, known as guideline child support, is presumed by law to be the correct amount. The Ohio Child Support Guideline: How the Basic Support is Determined The core of the process involves combining the gross incomes of both parents to determine

​There is non-stop news about the pandemic, its spread, and the increasingly drastic measures the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health are taking to combat the disease. Something the news is not reporting on is how the disease is affecting people’s legal court cases in Ohio. The courthouses and the people who work in them are not immune from COVID-19, and many people have been left wondering about their hearings, bonds, attendance requirements, and parenting schedules. The short answer to your questions is this: if you have a lawyer- reach out to their office and ask what the status is of your case. If you don’t have a lawyer- you should find the website of the court your case is filed in and see if they have made any

Ohio law does not currently contain a specific statute isolating “sexting” as a distinct minor offense. Instead, the legal definition of sexting involves the creation, possession, or dissemination of sexually explicit images. When minors are involved, these actions trigger statutes originally designed to combat child pornography and the exploitation of minors. Legal Scope: This encompasses any digital transmission of nude or semi-nude images, including text messages (SMS/MMS), social media platforms (Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok), and cloud-based storage. Minor vs. Adult Distinction: Ohio law distinguishes between the age of the offender and the age of the victim. However, in peer-to-peer teen sexting, both parties are minors. This creates a legal paradox where a teenager can be charged with producing or possessing child pornography even if the image is of themselves or a