2017
If people are at a holiday party and realize too late that somebody spiked the eggnog, they should enjoy riding home in the back of a cab instead of driving home behind the wheel. That is what one Cleveland judge hopes they will do. WKBN 27 tells of a municipal...
Today’s current political situations have, without a doubt, sparked controversy over various issues such as gun control. When it comes to owning a gun, regulations in many areas are still up in the air; however, self defense laws in Ohio have probable chances of seeing future change. In May of...
Sobriety checkpoints are not uncommon in the state of Ohio. These checkpoints are designed to help deter drunk driving and remove those from the roads who have consumed too much alcohol to drive. The following provides information on what these checkpoints are and what a stop can mean for your...
While you may not find the topic of death and planning your estate to be the most exciting, being proactive about creating a plan that you feel good about is crucial to guaranteeing that things end up where you want them if you ever become incapacitated. At The Law Offices...
The insanity defense has long been identified as a complicated term. After all, this type of defense can be rare and complex — not to mention that the depths of the human brain are largely unknown. When a suspect wishes a jury to find them not guilty by reason of...
Driving home from time spent with friends and family during the Thanksgiving weekend, people likely faced heavier than usual traffic on the Ohio streets, and may also have found themselves facing a DUI checkpoint. According to the Ohio State Bar Association, these legal traffic stops allow law enforcement to stop...
Cohabitation and common law marriages have become more common in Columbus in recent years. Those participating in such relationships may believe that they do not need any formal record or documentation to prove their commitment to their partners. While they certainly may be within their rights to carry on such...
When you receive notice of an Ohio criminal charge of failing to disperse, typically the charging authority is alleging that you disobeyed a law enforcement officer’s command that you leave the area where you were. However, as noted by the Ohio Revised Code, there are several elements that the state...
Yes, it is possible. Sometime non-citizens of the United States who are lawfully visiting or living in Ohio experience the unfortunate event of being the subject of criminal charges. If this has happened to you, there are things you need to know about the effect of pleading guilty to a...
On September 24th, 2017, The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. sponsored Taste CLE’s Event “Tequila Fest Willoughby 2017” located in Downtown Willoughby, Ohio, a small town suburb on the east side of Cleveland. The five hour event featured over 20 tequila brands and a total of 45...
Women in Ohio and throughout the U.S. live longer than men in general, which means they have unique needs when it comes to estate planning. An article in Forbes magazine puts the average life expectancy of women at nearly five years longer than men, with some living well beyond those...
People in Columbus have been telling you for years that even if you think you do not have time to delve deep into your estate planning, you should at the very least write out a will. Why? The answer is the same as the one we here at The Law...
Having a will or trust document in Ohio is a basic start to preparing for one’s estate future. What kind of assets a person owns may affect whether a will can do the intended job, that of leaving certain assets to certain people in one’s life. However, a person’s needs...
Jon Saia recently completed his term as President of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL). Under his direction, OACDL grew to over 700 members, increasing membership and participation throughout the State. Education was a big part of Mr. Saia’s tenure. A total of 11 seminars were held throughout...
On September 27, 2017, the Supreme Court settled a conflict between the Eighth District Court of Appeals and the Fifth District Court Appeals regarding when an individual can apply to have dismissed criminal charges expunged from their record. In State v. Dye, 2017-Ohio-7823, the question the Court was asked to...
Have you or someone you know recently been arrested for and charged with a drunk driving offense in Ohio? If so, you may be scared about the consequences you may face. You may also be confused about the process and what you need to do. This is a time when...
This is a serious problem. Last year, more than 4,000 people in Ohio died due to drug overdose. Has the time come to stop treating people with addiction issues like criminals, and instead start getting them the treatment they need? “Drug Addiction Is A Disease, Not A Crime” According to...
After people lose a parent in Ohio, one of the many thoughts racing through their minds may be whether they are personally liable for any outstanding debts. Along with the emotional strain of the loss and the stress of planning a funeral, they do not need to add the worry...
When Ohio parents are going through a divorce, it can be a time when their ability to focus on their child’s best interests diminishes due to emotions or acrimony between them. Parents may also find that they are unable to agree on what is best for their child when reviewing...
For years, one number has been hammered over and over in your head as well as those of every other driver in Columbus: 0.08. That is the percentage of blood alcohol content that law enforcement uses to determine whether or not you are legally drunk. Most hold to that number...
While some see the end of a marriage as a reason to celebrate, others may find themselves feeling grief. According to an article from Psychology Today, it is normal for people to go through “The Five Stages of Grief” when a relationship ends. These five stages are denial, anger, bargaining,...
Gone are the days when a person in Ohio could not get in much trouble riding a bike. Until more recent years, operating a bike while intoxicated did not land a person in legal trouble like driving a car drunk did. Ohio is one state that changed the law regarding...
The times are changing, as we all know. In the world of estate planning, the biggest change has been an overall change in personal assets. Instead of journals and photo albums, many people now keep their memories online, on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In fact, the average internet user...
The electronic age has brought us access to more information than ever, but is all of that information accurate? It’s important to remember that your best source for legal information is your lawyer. Do you believe any of these myths about divorce and the division of assets? Myth 1: Getting...
Golf legend Tiger Woods appears to be on the verge of settling his drunk driving case via plea bargain, although no deal is in place as of yet. The prosecutor in the case told reporters that Woods is expected to enter a first-time drunk driver diversion program in which defendants...
A study published recently in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found evidence that some people whose parents divorced during their childhood may be at increased risk of health issues later. Not everyone whose parents divorced was affected, however. The increase risk was only observed in those...
When people think of estate planning, they often think about wills. While wills are the cornerstones of many people’s estate plans, there are other aspects of estate planning that should not be overlooked. Interestingly, one of the most commonly overlooked parts of estate planning is also one of the simplest...
“From a practitioner’s point of view, marijuana is not a drug that doesn’t have some danger to it, but it’s not the drug that’s driving violent crime in America,” says the co-chairman of Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration. “That’s not the drug with which we see so...
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 52 percent of those turning 65 now will need long-term care services and supports during their lifetimes. Unfortunately, according to the AARP, “The cost of long-term services and supports over time continues to be much higher than what middle-income families...
The 53-year-old former CEO of Anheuser-Busch brewing was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of trying to fly a helicopter under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any charges to be filed are pending the return of toxicology tests. The former CEO and his wife were arrested on Monday. Shortly...
The July 4th holiday weekend has come and gone and the Ohio State Highway Patrol has released some statistics from the weekend. Even though the holiday was on a Tuesday, many people enjoyed a very long holiday weekend from Friday through Tuesday, causing gridlock everywhere as families traveled to and...
Sara Woodard-Ortiz of The HeartFull Journey, a publisher of divorce-related coloring books, workbooks, and courses for women, believes that divorce is a journey. And, as with any journey, you’ll need to pack accordingly. Divorce is an emotional time for virtually everyone. What you pack in your “divorce suitcase” are the...
A conviction for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) already comes with serious penalties, from driver’s license suspension to fines to time behind bars. However, one Ohio judge is adding on a new penalty, one he believes will prevent repeat offenses: a requirement to download...
“Crowdfunding” may not be the most familiar term, but the concept is becoming increasingly important. You may have heard about sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, which make it easy to ask friends, relatives, social media contacts and even strangers for startup cash for a new business enterprise. Chuffed and CrowdRise...
One of the highest-profile criminal cases in years ended in a mistrial on Saturday. The jury in the Bill Cosby aggravated indecent assault case was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, as is required. They deliberated for a total of six days, first reaching a deadlock on Thursday. The judge...
If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving in Ohio, your driving privileges are at immediate risk. You may know that your driver’s license can be suspended if you are convicted, but many people don’t realize that an administrative license suspension, or ALS, is put in place right away. There are...
Annie’s Law, which was passed into law in January, went into effect in April. It’s goal is to keep drunk drivers off the streets of Ohio. This law will impact how people convicted of drinking and driving are punished. What Does Annie’s Law Do? A piece from WXVU addresses what...
In its April publication, Columbus CEO Magazine named Jon Saia as one of Central Ohio’s top lawyers for 2017. The list was compiled using Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Ratings. Only lawyers given the highest ratings by their peers – the AV Preeminent rating – were considered for the list. Columbus CEO...
It seems celebrities are no more likely than others to have a will or estate plan in place. That was apparently the case for the internationally renowned artist known as Prince, who died just over a year ago. Whenever someone dies without a will, any state where they own substantial...
If a high school student leaves his backpack on the bus, would it be fair for him or her to expect it to be left unopened? Would it put anyone in danger? What if there was a rumor the student was a gang member? These are the questions the Ohio...
There are a variety of situations in which a spouse, family member or other beneficiary might become in a probate dispute. While good estate planning can prevent many family conflicts, it’s not uncommon for an excluded beneficiary to dispute a will or estate plan. Your dying loved one might have...
According to the Census Bureau, 14 million widows and widowers live in the U.S., or about a quarter of the population over 65. Every year, 800,000 Americans lose their spouses. It’s reality. People die, and they leave behind loved ones in emotional turmoil. That doesn’t have to mean your loved...
Probate is an important part of everyone’s life and really should not be avoided, much like many people tend to hear. Probate happens following someone’s death whether or not he or she had a will. If you have a will in place that includes an estate plan, your surviving family...
The state of Ohio takes a dim view of those who operate motor vehicles while drunk or under the influence of any drug. Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) charges can have serious, long-lasting repercussions for drivers in Ohio. You could face fines, jail time and the loss of...
Jon Saia, along with Robert La Pier and Ken Bossin, recently led a DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Test course in Cleveland, Ohio. Saia instructed students on the proper way to perform roadside field sobriety testing, an essential skill for attorneys practicing OVI/DWI defense. The course is the same...
Drunk driving is serious and something that law enforcement agencies are doing their best to curb. Being pulled over for a DUI stop can be scary and stressful, especially for those who have never been pulled over by a police officer. Being arrested and charged with DUI does not have...
Divorce is a touchy subject for some, even with the stigma pretty much no longer present. As a couple’s marriage hits rocky patches, some will go down the road of reconciliation, while others will move towards divorce. So, what are the common signs of divorce in Ohio? A big sign...
Estate planning is something that should not be taken lightly. It is a very important aspect of life that should not be overlooked, no matter your age. You can begin planning your estate the minute you are hired for your first job out of college. Estate plans should be updated...
Many people hear the word “probate” as a negative, as in “You want to avoid probate.” Actually, probate occurs after someone dies whether he or she had a valid will or not. However, having a will and a detailed estate plan in place can save considerable money, time and stress...
When people think of driving while under the influence, the first thing to come to mind is usually alcohol. While alcohol is still the most common intoxicant in intoxicated driving cases, these is a rising trend that is causing lots of people large amounts of concern: driving while drugged. Even...
A jury in Summit County found a Cleveland man guilty of the charges filed against him for a rash of break-ins at local businesses. The defendant, who decided to represent himself in court, was sentenced in the Summit County Common Pleas Court to four and a half years in prison....
A divorce can drastically impact your finances now and after the final court order. Property division, support payments and court costs have the potential to severely affect your quality of life. Fortunately, with proper planning from the start, you can keep the financial blow of a divorce under control. You...
For many people, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration – whether they have Irish ancestry or not. This celebrating often includes drinking alcohol, as it is the fourth most popular drinking holiday in the U.S., behind New Year’s Eve, Christmas and Independence Day. In Ohio and throughout the...
When it comes to estate planning, many people think that a will is all they need. In some cases, that is true. However, wills are limited in terms of what they can do. For many people, a will is simply not enough to achieve their estate planning goals. What A...