An examination of Ohio Supreme Court Fourth Amendment decisions over the past decade reveals consistent patterns in the Court’s analytical approach. A review of nineteen cases decided between 2016 and 2026 revealed that seventy-four percent (74%) were decided in favor of the State, while twenty-six percent (26%) favored the defendant. To determine whether any patterns […]

In State v Reed, the Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that a man convicted of sexually abusing four minors will remain sentenced, holding that the charges were properly tried together rather than in separate trials. Justice R. Patrick DeWine authored the opinion of the court, joined by Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and Justices

Ohio Revised Code Section 2953.32 provides an avenue for relief for citizens saddled with the stigma of a past conviction. The statute sets forth the procedure and requirements for expunging or sealing a criminal record. It mandates that an individual may apply to have their record sealed or expunged as long as the convictions are

On October 29, 2024, defendant Michael “Mike” Toney was sentenced to an indefinite prison term of eight to twelve years after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. On September 10, 2018, an unresponsive female was found inside her home, and the cause of death was later determined to be a fentanyl overdose. The victim’s cellphone

The Ohio Supreme Court earlier this month struck down a long-standing ethics rule that barred state and local judges from endorsing political candidates running for public office, becoming the first state judiciary to allow the practice, according to a Court Watch analysis. In a 5–1 opinion issued on April 2, the Court in Disciplinary Counsel

In February 2026, the Ohio Supreme Court declined jurisdiction in State v. Smith, leaving unresolved a potential limitation on vehicle searches during roadside traffic stops. An Unfortunate Turn of Events and A ‘Loss’ at the Lower Court In May 2021, police in Grove City, Ohio stopped Raetta Smith after observing her vehicle strike a curb

Filing a Motion for a New Trial in Ohio For many criminal defendants in the state of Ohio, Crim. R. 33 provides a glimmer of hope by setting forth the procedure to file a motion for a new trial. Per that rule, defendants must file their motion within 14 days after the verdict is rendered.

A Muskingum County man who argued that his lawyer had a conflict of interest — thereby depriving him of a fair trial — will not receive review from the Supreme Court of Ohio. In a short entry dated February 17, 2026, the Court denied Marques Parker’s request to file a delayed appeal and dismissed his

The involuntary and permanent termination of parental rights has been equated to “‘the family law equivalent of the death penalty,’” and as such, indigent parents in custody proceedings are equipped with certain constitutional rights, such as the right to counsel. But what rights do indigent parents have in matters that deal with temporary or non-permanent

A Cleveland man receives potential relief from the Cuyahoga County Appellate Court after two separate police chases were tried together. On July 26, 2022, at 11:00 p.m., Jayson Mitchell was stopped by a Cleveland Heights patrolman for speeding. As the patrolman approached the driver’s side window, Mitchell took off in his SUV. The Patrolman pursued,