Login | April 19, 2024
Portage County Legal News.
Local
Video testimony in sex crime case unconstitutional, but not to overturn conviction
The Supreme Court of Ohio recently upheld the sexual battery conviction of a Logan County man, finding that the impermissible videoconference testimony from a witness did not impact the outcome of the trial.
The Supreme Court ruled that Eli Carter’s constitutional right to confront witnesses against him had been violated w ... (full story)
Annalisa Williams discusses role as admin/presiding judge
It’s been more than six years since Akron Municipal Court Judge Annalisa S. Williams served as administrative/presiding judge in 2017.
Since then, the court has upgraded its technology, added new programming and moved its operations from the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center to the former Oliver Ocasek Building.
Now afte ... (full story)
State
New EPA rule says 218 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 200 chemical plants nationwide will be required to reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer under a new rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. The rule advances President Joe Biden's commitment to environmental justice by delivering critical health protections for communit ... (full story)
Legislation pendiing before the House would limit community-control use
Legislation pending before the Criminal Justice Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives seeks to optimize community control of non-jailed offenders, according to the bill’s sponsors.
According to Cincinnati Rep. Bill Seitz, one of two Republican sponsors of House Bill 196, judges currently have broad sentencing disc ... (full story)
Technology
SCOTUS weighs in on public officials’ use of social media
In a unanimous decision, the US Supreme Court has decided that a public official’s use of social media can constitute state action, such that then those officials can be subject to First Amendment and other constitutional challenges for deleting or blocking other users’ comments about those officials.
The case is Lin ... (full story)