When Can Police Stop You Based on a Tip? Understanding Ohio's Legal Standards

When Can Police Stop You Based on a Tip? Understanding Ohio's Legal Standards

Police officers frequently receive tips about suspected criminal activity, from drunk driving to drug dealing. But when does a citizen's call to 911 justify pulling someone over? Ohio law establishes specific requirements that must be met before police can lawfully stop a vehicle based solely on someone else's report. Understanding these standards proves crucial for anyone challenging the legality of a traffic stop.

Read More

Obstructing Official Business in Ohio: Understanding the Boundaries Between Rights and Violations

Obstructing Official Business in Ohio: Understanding the Boundaries Between Rights and Violations

Charges of obstructing official business often arise during tense encounters with law enforcement, yet many Ohioans remain unclear about what actions actually violate this statute. Understanding the specific requirements and limitations of Ohio Revised Code § 2921.31 proves essential for anyone facing these charges or seeking to protect their constitutional rights during police interactions.

Read More

Understanding Disorderly Conduct Charges in Ohio: What You Need to Know

Understanding Disorderly Conduct Charges in Ohio: What You Need to Know

Disorderly conduct remains one of the most frequently charged offenses in Ohio, yet many people misunderstand what actually constitutes this crime. Whether arising from a heated argument, an encounter with law enforcement, or alcohol-related incidents, these charges can have serious consequences that extend beyond the immediate legal penalties.

Read More

When Officers Get It Wrong: Mistakes of Fact and Law in Ohio Traffic Stops

When Officers Get It Wrong: Mistakes of Fact and Law in Ohio Traffic Stops

Police officers make mistakes. Sometimes they misinterpret what they observe, and sometimes they misunderstand the law they enforce. The constitutional implications of these mistakes differ dramatically depending on their nature. While reasonable mistakes of fact may still support valid traffic stops, mistakes of law generally cannot justify even the briefest detention. Understanding this distinction and its consequences provides critical defenses when officers base traffic stops on erroneous beliefs.

Read More

When Police Contact Becomes a Constitutional Seizure: Understanding Consensual Encounters vs. Terry Stops in Ohio

When Police Contact Becomes a Constitutional Seizure: Understanding Consensual Encounters vs. Terry Stops in Ohio

Not every interaction between police and citizens implicates constitutional protections. Ohio law recognizes important distinctions between consensual encounters, which require no justification, and investigatory stops, which demand reasonable suspicion. Understanding when a police contact crosses the line from voluntary interaction to constitutional seizure can determine whether evidence obtained during the encounter is admissible. This distinction proves particularly crucial in OVI and traffic cases where initial police contact often begins informally.

Read More

Miranda Rights and OVI Investigations: When Officers Must Advise Drivers of Their Rights

Miranda Rights and OVI Investigations: When Officers Must Advise Drivers of Their Rights

The intersection of Miranda rights and OVI investigations presents complex constitutional questions that can significantly impact the outcome of drunk driving cases in Ohio. Understanding when law enforcement must provide Miranda warnings during traffic stops and OVI investigations is crucial for anyone facing these charges. The admissibility of statements made during an OVI stop often hinges on whether proper constitutional safeguards were in place.

Read More

Understanding Ohio's Hit and Skip Laws: Three Different Statutes, Three Different Requirements and Penalties

Understanding Ohio's Hit and Skip Laws: Three Different Statutes, Three Different Requirements and Penalties

Being charged with "leaving the scene" or "hit and skip" in Ohio can be confusing because Ohio actually has three separate statutes governing these situations, each with different requirements and penalties. Understanding which statute applies to your situation is crucial, as prosecutors sometimes charge defendants under the wrong section, creating opportunities for defense.

Read More

The Lack of Convergence Test in Ohio DUI Cases: Another Non-Standardized Test Lacking Scientific Foundation

The Lack of Convergence Test in Ohio DUI Cases: Another Non-Standardized Test Lacking Scientific Foundation

When individuals face OVI (Operating a Vehicle while Impaired) charges in Ohio, they may encounter various physical and mental evaluations administered by law enforcement officers. While certain tests like the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand have achieved "standardized" status through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and undergone some validation research, officers frequently employ additional tests that lack this crucial recognition. The Lack of Convergence (LOC) test represents another questionable evaluation tool that creates significant vulnerabilities in the prosecution's case.

Read More

The Modified Romberg Test in Ohio DUI Cases: A Non-Standardized Test with Questionable Reliability

The Modified Romberg Test in Ohio DUI Cases: A Non-Standardized Test with Questionable Reliability

When facing an OVI (Operating a Vehicle while Impaired) charge in Ohio, defendants may find themselves subjected to various physical and mental tests administered by law enforcement officers. While certain tests like the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand are recognized as "standardized" by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and have undergone validation studies, officers frequently employ other tests that lack this crucial standardization. One such test that has become increasingly common is the Modified Romberg Balance (MRB) test.

Read More

When Traffic Stops Go Wrong: What Happens When the Initial Reason Is Dispelled

When Traffic Stops Go Wrong: What Happens When the Initial Reason Is Dispelled

We've all seen it happen: a police officer pulls someone over for what they believe is a violation, only to discover upon approach that no violation actually occurred. What should happen next? Ohio law provides clear guidance on this important issue.

Read More

DUIs on Golf Carts in Ohio: Yes, It's a Real Thing

DUIs on Golf Carts in Ohio: Yes, It's a Real Thing

Summer in Ohio means trips to Put-in-Bay, Kelley's Island, campgrounds, and golf courses. For many, these outings include renting golf carts and enjoying alcoholic beverages. What most people don't realize is that operating a golf cart while impaired can result in the same serious OVI/DUI charges as driving a car.

Read More

Marked Lanes Violations in Ohio: Understanding Your Rights During Traffic Stops

Marked Lanes Violations in Ohio: Understanding Your Rights During Traffic Stops

Many DUI cases in Ohio begin with a traffic stop for a "marked lanes violation." These stops often serve as the initial contact point that leads to further investigation for impaired driving. Understanding what actually constitutes a marked lanes violation can be crucial if you're facing charges that stemmed from such a stop.

Read More

Understanding "Obstructing Official Business" Charges in Ohio

Understanding "Obstructing Official Business" Charges in Ohio

Many Ohioans are unfamiliar with what legally constitutes "obstructing official business" until they're faced with such a charge. This offense, while seemingly straightforward, contains several specific legal elements that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Understanding these elements can be crucial for anyone facing such charges.

Read More

Understanding DUI Checkpoints in Ohio: What Every Driver Should Know

Understanding DUI Checkpoints in Ohio: What Every Driver Should Know

DUI checkpoints (also called sobriety checkpoints) are temporary roadblocks where law enforcement officers stop vehicles to check drivers for signs of impairment. The U.S. Supreme Court has established that these checkpoints constitute a "seizure" under the Fourth Amendment, but they are permitted under certain conditions.

Read More