Ohio Expungement and Sealing of Records Law Changes

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Are you an Ohioan looking for an expungement attorney or looking to apply to seal your criminal record?  With passage of a new bill, more individuals will be eligible and those that were not eligible under the old law, now may be eligible.  Earlier this year, Governor Kasich signed Senate Bill 337, which changes what convictions may be sealed and who is eligible to apply for sealing.  Under the old law, only “First Offenders” were eligible but the new law changes this language to “Eligible Offenders”.  Now, an applicant may qualify for expungement or sealing of the following:

  1. One qualifying Felony conviction;
  2. One qualifying Misdemeanor;
  3. Two qualifying Misdemeanor convictions if not the same offense; or
  4. One qualifying Felony conviction and one qualifying misdemeanor conviction.

Be advised though, that certain offenses may never be sealed, including OVI/DUI, sex offenses and certain violent offenses.  Further, applicants must wait statutory time periods from the conclusion of their sentences before they may apply for sealing.

This blog post is merely a brief overview of the change in the law and does not address all of the changes.  If you are looking to apply to seal your criminal record or seek an expungement in Ohio, contact an Akron Ohio criminal defense lawyer at Laybourne Law today.  You can also click on the Expungement/Sealing of Records link at www.laybournelaw.com for more information or to contact an Akron criminal defense attorney.

OVI Checkpoints for August 24-26, 2012

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UPDATE:  Laybourne Law has received more information about the checkpoints scheduled for this weekend.  Tonight in Cleveland, there will be a checkpoint at W. 25th and Lorain Ave. from 7pm to 1am.  Also tonight, Bowling Green will be conducting a checkpoint on State Route 25 from 8:30pm to 3:00am.  There will be a checkpoint tonight in Maple Heights at Lee and Friend Roads and a checkpoint on South Avenue, North of Indionola Road in Boardman.  The checkpoint tomorrow night in Solon will be in the Northwest part of the city (that’s all we know at this time).  Stay tuned for further updates!

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be conducting OVI Checkpoints this weekend in the following counties:  Belmont, Butler, Hancock, Mahoning, Medina, Muskingum, Pike, Portage, Richland, Scioto, Summit, Williams and Wood.  The location of the sobriety checkpoint in Portage County will be released Saturday morning but we hear it will be in Ravenna.  Cleveland, Maple Heights and Euclid will conduct their checkpoints Friday night.  Information regarding the precise locations of the other checkpoints may be released later so stay updated by liking Laybourne Law on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

As always, the Akron DUI lawyers at Laybourne Law recommend you designate a sober driver or call a cab.  If you need more information regarding Ohio OVI or DUI laws, or just need more information about Summit County OVI attorneys, visit our website at www.laybournelaw.com.

 

Should I Have A Will?

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I am regularly asked this question and the answer is always ‘Yes’. Despite the best efforts of advancing medical technology, the mortality rate for humans remains fixed at 100%. Yet millions of Americans refuse to accept death’s staggering winning percentage. Consequently, many of us fail to plan and die without a will.

Everyone needs a will and an estate plan. A will provides for the distribution of your estate upon death. Many people also ask me: “But I don’t have an “estate”! I don’t own a home or have a lot of money. Why do I need a will?”

Suppose you are killed by a drunk driver in a traffic accident. Even if you have no assets, your estate may pursue a wrongful death claim or an attendant civil suit that may result in a large award of damages. Without a will, the State of Ohio will decide who gets what, and how much, based upon the statute of descent and distribution.

A will can enable you to accomplish the following:

  1. Make a specific bequest of real or personal property;
  2. Make special provisions for certain property or individuals;
  3. Name a guardian for minor children;
  4. Appoint an executor;
  5. Provide for charities or other non-family members;
  6. Disinherit someone;
  7. Leave the entire estate to a surviving spouse that may have only received a designated portion pursuant to Ohio law.

The Akron Probate Lawyers at Laybourne Law have prepared hundreds of wills for individuals throughout Northeast Ohio. Most people are surprised at how inexpensive, fast and hassle-free the process of preparing a will or an estate plan can be when they rely on an Akron Estate Planning Lawyer at our firm.

An Akron Probate Attorney can also provide advice and construct a plan so that your heirs may be able to avoid the probate process or opening an estate with the Probate Court.

Our Summit County Will, Trust and Estate Plan attorneys are also highly experienced with any and all estate planning matters such as Trusts, Living Trusts, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Estate Administration and Will Contests.

OVI Checkpoints for June 29-June 31

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the 6 State Trooper Project will be operating OVI saturation patrols across Ohio this weekend.  Troopers in Ohio will be focusing on perceived high OVI-related crash areas to increase their visibility.

Additionally, Laybourne Law has received information about two sobriety checkpoints this Friday night in Cleveland.  There will be one DUI checkpoint at E. 55th and Thackery Ave. from 8:30pm to 1am.  There will be another DUI checkpoint at Lorain Ave. and W. 94th St. from 11:30pm to 3am.

As always, the Akron DUI lawyers at Laybourne Law encourage you to be safe while driving this weekend and to designate a sober driver.  Should you be in doubt regarding your rights or need to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Akron, Summit County or anywhere in Ohio, visit www.laybournelaw.com or call (330) 434-3880.