Columbus Legal Issues Blog

Embezzlement isn't just about money or the amount of it

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

If you are like most people, when you hear the word "embezzlement," you picture someone in the corporate world who steals hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars from an employer or clients. While this is one example of this particular crime, it is not the only one.

Anyone entrusted with the care of money or property who others accuse of secretly taking it for personal gain could face a charge of embezzlement. This white-collar crime most often occurs in employment settings in addition to the corporate world. A range of activities encompass this crime such as falsifying records to cover theft or changing accounting records to hide the theft.

Isn't the RICO Act just for mobsters?

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in blog on Thursday, December 7, 2017.

You may be like many other Ohio residents in that when you hear about the "RICO Act," you envision mobsters and their organized crime syndicates. It is true that the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (passed by Congress in 1978) began as a way to get to higher ranking officials in mob organizations who weren't actually "on the ground" committing the crimes.

Historically, state and federal agencies used the RICO Act to deal with obviously illegal activities such as trafficking of drugs, weapons and people, along with counterfeiting and prostitution. Later, when these types of activities no longer provided the same anonymity and profits, the mob moved into more traditionally white-collar criminal activities, and state and federal law enforcement officials used the RICO Act to prosecute for these crimes as well.

Ohio law enforcement not happy with low OVI ranking

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, September 7, 2017.

A recent report published on the WalletHub.com website ranked the 50 states according to their overall strictness of impaired driving laws. The rankings took into consideration minimum sentences, mandatory jail time, fines and ignition interlock requirements, as well as the number of offenses allowed before the incident becomes a felony charge and numerous other factors.

Ohio ranked third most lenient. To some, it may sound as if operating a vehicle under the influence in this state is not too serious when compared to other states. However, here in Ohio, the consequences of an OVI conviction may still wreak havoc in your life. If you are facing an OVI or DUI charge in Ohio, it really doesn't matter how other states handle the same offense.

Drug trafficking: Get the facts and get representation

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, June 9, 2017.

Right here in middle America, illegal drug use is a major issue. As this is the case, those thought to be bringing drugs into Ohio may face serious criminal consequences if authorities ultimately charge and convict them. Drug trafficking is not just a state offense; it is a federal offense, so the potential penalties associated with this type of crime can be life-changing.

If you or a loved one is facing drug trafficking charges, you probably have many questions like: What are the potential penalties? What can I do to fight drug trafficking charges?

Under the microscope for medical fraud

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, March 13, 2017.

You may still be reeling after receiving the notice that you were under scrutiny for crimes of fraud in your medical office. Whether you are a physician or a billing administrator, investigators will likely examine every aspect of your job to find the point at which fraud is likely to have occurred.

Remember these things when selling firearms

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

If you're a firearms enthusiast in Ohio, you most likely know the state is a traditional "open carry" state, meaning, if you are licensed to carry a firearm, you may do so openly and in public. There may be certain laws of which you are unaware, however, such as those that pertain to private sales of guns.

What if you're out at a range with some friends, doing a little target shooting, and one of your buddies admires the gun you're using and offers to buy it. Can you sell it to him? The answer is: Maybe.

Ohio's new medical marijuana law leaves more questions than answers

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

On September 8, Ohio joined the ranks of 24 other states, deciding through the polls to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. Advocates and patients who have championed this legislation are celebrating the move. Aside from its legality, however, the details of the bill are unclear and undecided, leaving doctors, patients, pharmacists and police officers wondering where to go from here. The only details known so far are that qualifying patients may possess a 90-day supply (exact amount still to be determined).

3 Ways to protect yourself during an OVI/DUI stop

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, June 10, 2016.

Like most states in the U.S., Ohio has very specific criminal laws when it comes to drinking and driving. In Ohio, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is called OVI . Many people don't realize this type of criminal offense is broken down into two categories. The first category is OVI Per Se - it's what most people think of as drunk driving, where the operator of the vehicle has a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than .08 based upon specific tests.

Huge Increase In Franklin County Drug Overdoses

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC on Thursday, May 5, 2016.

A shocking new study conducted by the medical journal Prevention Medicine has found that drug overdoses are on a dramatically sharp increase. In fact, some parts of the country are seeing more than 70 times the number of drug-related deaths than in previous decades - Franklin County, Ohio, included.

Because parts of Ohio are known as high drug trafficking regions, police are determined to crack down on offenders. Even minor drug offenses are receiving maximum sentences. It is more important than ever for those charged with drug crimes to have aggressive legal team on their side.

Open carry in Ohio: 5 things to know

On behalf of Soroka & Associates, LLC posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, March 4, 2016.

Ohio is a traditional open carry state, which means people who legally own firearms may carry them in public places, unless there is a specific prohibition against them. "Open carry" means the firearm is visible to the naked eye and not concealed. Though open carrying is legal in Ohio, often the sight of a gun in public can cause unnecessary panic and unwanted attention from law enforcement. In fact, The Buckeye Firearms Association warns gun owners about the perils of open carry and doesn't recommend it.