Depending on the charges being argued, court cases are either determined in front of a judge or a jury. While people accused of crimes against society are nearly always entitled to a jury trial, not all decisions are made by juries – judges have a lot of leeway in determining what evidence can be admitted, the interpretation of written documents, and other important decisions.
Category Archives: General Law
Legal-Ease: Considering ‘blue laws’ on Easter
In the earliest days of our country, ‘blue laws’ were those generally designed to promote religion, such as outlawing most work on Sundays. These laws have been debated, changed, struck down and upheld since America’s founding.
Legal-Ease: Questions on legal ethics
Some actions taken by attorneys may some disingenuous or contrary to the idea of ethics, but several less-known rules governing attorney behavior can sometimes help to explain their behavior.
Legal-ease: Is my bracket pool legal?
Filling out a bracket for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is an activity done by millions of people across the country. But rules outlining what constitutes ‘gambling’ may make your tournament bracket pool illegal. Before your bracket gets busted this year, you should be aware of the laws affecting it.
Legal-Ease: How long will it take
A number of factors play into how long a client’s legal work will take, and how much it will end up costing them. The attention to detail required in legal documents, the myriad of tasks an attorney must perform, getting approval and submitting filings can all play a factor in how long your case can take.
Legal-Ease: Copies or originals
A common question is whether an original is needed or if a copy will suffice for legal needs. Documents that are actually signed are considered to be the originals, and reproduced representations of the originals are referred to as copies. Generally in Ohio, a copy of a document is considered to be as good as the original.
Legal-Ease: Basic snow and ice law
Since we live in northwest Ohio, snow and ice are very much an expected part of our winters. Snow removal is in order, and the act of salting roadways and removing snow from the surfaces is a “government function.” A lot of rules exist surrounding snow and ice.