Is that arrest warrant valid? Not likely after State v. Hoffman

Last week, in State v. Hoffman, 2014-Ohio-4795, the Ohio Supreme Court found the manner in which the Toledo Municipal Court issued arrest warrants “seriously disturbing.”   The Supreme Court admonished the municipal court because the misdemeanor warrants were issued without a probable cause …

Cruiser Video Exempt From Disclosure

Public Records Update – In a case of first impression, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals found a cruiser camera video and impaired driver report were excluded from the definition of public records because they fell “squarely within the statutory …

Get a Warrant – if you want to search that cellphone

Last month, the United States Supreme Court established a bright line rule for police officers.   If you want to search a cellphone incident to an arrest – get a warrant.  In Riley v. California, the Court held the police, generally may …

Fourth Amendment and Consent Searches

Public Law Update – SCOTUS refines case law governing consent searches, thereby limiting its Randolph decision. On February 25, 2014, the Supreme Court made clear that, under certain circumstances, the Fourth Amendment allows one occupant to consent to a search, even after …

SB 93 – Open Meetings To Include Fact-Finding

Public Law Update – SB 93 aims to change many things about Ohio’s Open Meeting Act, including when it’s triggered. While supporters of SB 93 believe the bill will close loopholes, others may not so readily agree. Since 1993, meetings …