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Declaration of Independence

"Any person haled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him.  This seems to us to be an obvious truth."

Gideon v. Wainwright


House Bill 1: Changes involving Court Costs and Bail

Effective October 16, 2009, Court Costs imposed per R.C. 2949.091 are increasing and a new $25.00 surcharge is levied when a person posts bail. The links below contain a summary, the new law, and a FAQ on this issue.

For questions or more information, please contact: John Alge


Public Defender News

Statement from State Public Defender Tim Young regarding today’s Parole Board recommendation against clemency for Mark Brown

Re-entry Court considered cutting edge

(Mansfield News Journal © 1/30/2010)

Marvin Marshall's rap sheet is colorful and long, stretching nearly 30 years -- time marked by heavy cocaine use, robberies and thefts and stints in penitentiaries across the state.

Ohio prisons to adopt system to let inmates
see their e-mail

(The Blade © 1/24/2010)

A new system that allows Ohio inmates to get e-mail could help save the state money and cut down on contraband, which often arrives in regular mail, prison officials said.

Ohio Supreme Court: Police must have warrant to search cell phones

In State v. Smith, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that police must have a warrant to search the data on a cell phone that is lawfully seized during an arrest.

Click here for additional information

Ohio Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion

The Ohio Ethics Commission has released a written advisory opinion that a member of a county public defender commission is generally prohibited from acting as appointed counsel to criminal defendants in the same county.

 

›› More: News | Resources


DNA Reform Bill

House panel approves new DNA rules

(The Columbus Dispatch © 1/14/2010)

A bill that would require taking DNA samples from anyone charged with a felony and set standards that supporters say will improve criminal investigations passed a House committee yesterday after months of debate.

DNA bill passes House committee

(The Columbus Dispatch © 1/13/2010)

A bill that would require taking DNA samples from anyone charged with a felony and set standards that supporters say will improve criminal investigations passed a House committee today after months of debate.

›› More: Updates

 

Adam Walsh Act   

Cases Accepted for Review in the Ohio Supreme Court

Senate Bill 10 - Resources

Congressional Hearing on Adam Walsh Act

On March 10, 2009, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime held a hearing on the barriers to states’ compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act.

›› More: Updates


Rule 16 Reform   

Supreme Court Submits Amendments to Rules of Practice and Procedure

Click here for copy of
Rules of Practice and Procedure

At last, an Ohio open discovery rule that will protect witnesses but be fair to defendants -- editorial

(The Plain Dealer © 1/8/2010)

Judge Sean C. Gallagher of the 8th District Court of Appeals in Cleveland may have been exaggerating when he said recently that establishing rules for open discovery -- how prosecutors share police reports, witness statements and other information with defense attorneys -- has been akin to bringing peace to the Middle East.

›› More: Updates


Book and Gavel Image


Death Row Updates

We lied, witnesses in case of convicted killer tell judge

(The Vindicator © 1/16/2010)

Mark Aaron Brown has been on Ohio’s death row for nearly 16 years, but new testimony from two witnesses could land him a new trial.

Convict seeks new trial

(Tribune Chronicle © 1/16/2010)

With an execution date less than a month away, the attorneys for convicted killer Mark Brown are trying to convince a judge that the trial that ended in 1996 needs to be held again.

No mercy for killer, parole board says

(The Columbus Dispatch © 1/14/2010)

The Ohio Parole Board yesterday recommended against sparing the life of Youngstown killer Mark Brown, who is scheduled to be executed Feb. 4.

›› More:  News | Updates

 

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