| Criminal Cases |
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| A criminal case begins when the prosecutor files criminal charges against a person, a person is arrested, or the grand jury returns an indictment against a person. Criminal offenses are either misdemeanors or felonies. A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by jail time of up to one year. A felony is a more serious crime, which is punishable by prison time of more than one year. More... |
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| Special Rules of Evidence |
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| The courts, federal and state, have rules of evidence, which determine what evidence will be admitted at civil and criminal trials. Generally, all evidence that is relevant, which means it tends to prove or disprove the factual matter being considered by the court, is admissible. The rules relating to privileges and hearsay, which are covered below, are special rules of evidence that control the admissibility of certain types of evidence. The rules relating to judicial notice and presumptions, which are also discussed below, are exceptions to the general rule that evidence must be introduced as formal proof of a factual matter. More... |
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| Relief from a Judgment in a Civil Lawsuit |
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| In Ohio and some other states, a judgment is final 30 days after it is entered in a case. Is it possible to get any relief from the judgment after the 30-day period has expired? This article discusses reasons for setting aside, reopening, correcting, or obtaining judicial relief from a final judgment. More... |
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| Hiring An Attorney |
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| If you are stuck with a car that is a lemon or if an electronics store won't repair the big screen television that you bought from it, you may need to hire an attorney to help resolve the dispute. Legal advice is also helpful if you are buying or selling a home or starting a new business. Attorneys can provide valuable advice on estate planning, tax matters, and marital issues. More... |
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| The Courts and Community Relations |
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| A 1999 national survey conducted by the National Center for States Courts in Williamsburg, Virginia, revealed that almost half of all American citizens thought the courts were out of touch with the surrounding community. This number increased to two-thirds among African-Americans who were surveyed. As a result, collaborative programs between the community and state courts are becoming more common. The goal is to foster the average citizen's understanding of the judiciary and to build public trust in the court system.
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