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Questions Answered by Matthew Williams
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Small Claims for Ohio on
Q: My question is, can they do that? Agree to $85 being the amount repaid, and then demand an additional $200 or be sued.

I was working for a pet store/supply company, and stole $85 worth of merchandise due to financial issues I’ve been having. I apologized, admitted to my wrong actions, and even agreed to pay back the $85 which is the amount a cooperate representative of the company agreed was the correct amount... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 29, 2022

First, yes, they can sue you. There is a statute that allows merchants to sue for statutory damages of $200 from thieves to help defray the costs of loss prevention. But they probably won't. They simply cannot win enough money to make it worth the time. In many courts it costs more than $200... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Sexual Harassment and Small Claims for Ohio on
Q: In ohio the age of consent law is 16yd, if a 21+yd did anything sexual with the 16yd would it still be legal?

So I'm 23 matched with a girl on a dating app at first she said she was 23 we get off the app talked for a few days over the phone once said she was 16 then other time said she was 17 and 2 sexual was shared well a few hours ago "her father" called on the number we was texting on... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 17, 2022

This is most likely a scam aimed at trying to scare you into giving them money. That said, while the age of consent in Ohio is 16, an adult who engages in a sexual relationship with a minor is taking big legal risks. First, any pornographic images of the minor are highly illegal child pornography.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes and Criminal Law for Ohio on
Q: If gps is placed in a package where police do a controlled delivery, do they need to get a warrant to use that tracker
Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 17, 2022

Warrants are usually obtained in these situations, yes. But whether they are legally required is a fact specific inquiry because only certain people can assert a legitimate privacy interest in a parcel. If you have been charged with an offense, you should hire an attorney to investigate all the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: what can be dismissed in the appeals 11th.district ohio permanent custody from my case

from the date of filing of permanent custody to evidentiary hearing was 314 days. Magistrate was wrong on more than four reasons she used to determine her decision for permanent custody to agency. The judge would take over a year and status hearing to address case and grant CPS permanent custody.... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 11, 2022

The court of appeals could reverse the lower court. In order for that to happen you need to promptly file a notice of appeal and then a brief. It would be a good idea for you to hire an attorney to help you with this.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Personal Injury for Ohio on
Q: If I don't prosecute my offender can I ask for compensation for my mental and emotional distress?

I live in Cleveland Ohio, I teach at a Middle School, one of my students threatened me (he wrote a hit list with my name and several other students' names with the intent of physically harming us) I filed a police report. Now the detective is asking me if I want to prosecute or not? I will... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 10, 2022

You could file a civil lawsuit against him instead of pursuing a criminal case. But if you choose to do so, expect the defense to note that you did not pursue criminal charges and argue that shows it wasn't a big deal.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Ohio on
Q: Can police use whiteout on traffic tickets?

My son have accidents and he is 17 years but the cop put my name by mistake and use whiteout on the ticket.

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Yes, police can correct tickets.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Ohio on
Q: Does my employer have to pay me 3 days off for bereavement

I work at a bw3 and work about 25 hours a week. Have done my own research and section 124.387 says they have to but boss said no they dont

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 26, 2022

The code section you refer to covers state government employees. Private businesses rarely offer any sort of bereavement leave to their employees and are not required to do so.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Can a landlord terminate a month to month lease immediately after receiving backrent from the Ohio cares act?

Cares act covered ally paid rent until October. I was just notified of this and I'm being kicked out now. Unethical?

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Either party can terminate a month-to-month lease for any reason (except for racial/religious discrimination) upon giving proper notice.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I be charged with driving with out consent even though I was arrested and let go because mom didn't want to press?

My parents file a sheriffs report in Perry County that I had their car to long. I was pulled over and arrested the next day in Franklin County and upon arrest I was released because my parents ultimately just wanted there car back and didn't want to press charges. Well 4 days later a Perry... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 26, 2022

Police are not required to charge you immediately following a situation. There are limitations periods by statute: 6 months to charge a minor misdemeanor, 2 years for a misdemeanor, 6 months for a general felony, etc. As with the situation you described, there are often questions as to whether or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I legally stop my daughter from moving out?

I live in ohio and My 16 year old daughter wants to move out and live with her 33 year old boyfriend, can I legally stop Her?

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 24, 2022

Yes, you have the right to decide where your children live until they turn 18.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Can a landlord who's a lawyer represent themself in court against their tenant
Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 24, 2022

Anyone can represent themself in court. Where landlords get in trouble is that it is unlawful for a person who is not a lawyer to represent anyone else including a corporate entity. So, if a non-lawyer landlord has created an LLC to manage the property, he or she cannot represent the LLC because... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Maternal grandmother has legal custody of our 3 kids. She has moved and we cant reach her what should we do?

The court order states they agreed on her stance on supervised visits until sobriety is shown. The day she received legal custody she cut us off and just recently we learned she moved to Indiana and was living with my aunt and uncle. Doing a Google search I learned that house they sold in September... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 24, 2022

Courts are empowered to punish people for violating their orders through something called a contempt proceeding. If she is in violation of the court's order, you can file a motion to show cause as to why she should not be held in contempt, which will trigger a hearing to discuss the issue.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Ohio on
Q: What can be done for a person who has been incarcerated for 30 years in a case with ineffective counsel, over sentencing

Transcripts have been destroyed.

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 24, 2022

Appellate Rule 26(B) allows for the reopening of an appeal based upon a claim of ineffective counsel. A clemency application is another option.

1 Answer | Asked in DUI / DWI for Ohio on
Q: Can I sue my attorney for malpractice for not filing proper papers on ovi case?

I paid a attorney to handle a ovi case in ohio. And we went to court and the ovi case was knocked down to a M1 physical control. But when I asked the attorney to file papers to have the administrative suspension lifted from the license I keep getting a run around. The attorney either doesn't... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 20, 2022

The ALS suspension should have been terminated by the judge when the court sentenced you on the physical control violation. When a judge sentences an offender on an OVI or physical control violation, he or she is required to impose a court ordered suspension as a result of the conviction. The ALS,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Ohio on
Q: My husband and I wish to remain co-owners on the tiles of the mortgaged properties we own after divorce?

We have an uncontested divorce (dissolution) filed for Cuyahoga County, OH. We own two mortgaged properties in which we are both on the titles. I do not make enough money to buy out his interest in either property, nor do I earn enough income to qualify for refinancing on either property. He agrees... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Oct 19, 2022

Your property agreements can be made a part of your divorce decree through a separation agreement. While everyone is playing nice this sort of thing is easily resolved. But you should both be aware that anything you put into a court order can be enforced by the other party so you may want to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Animal / Dog Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Ohio on
Q: Would I be able to go after a vet office for making me sign things while I was in a mental crisis?

When I had to put my cat down, I was not in the correct state of mind. I could barely comprehend what was going on at the time as if I was in a dissociative state. I'm not able to pay the bill, and despite me saying that multiple times, it felt as if they kept pressuring me to sign the... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Jan 14, 2024

You need to pay your bills like all of the rest of us.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Internet Law for Ohio on
Q: Is it okay to contact the police officer for an update on my case I'm a suspect in?

My apartment was raided and electronics seized on 7/6/2022 under a search warrant under Ohio revised code 2913.04

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Nov 27, 2023

You really should not be discussing this with the authorities without a lawyer. Get a lawyer first.

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: What are the rights of a tenant when the landlord dies? What are the tenants rights?

My family and I signed a lease agreement two months ago. Payed already $5000.00 to the landlord for two months rent, deposit and last months rent. The landlord suddenly passed away three weeks into the lease. He does have a unemployed wife that has said she must go fight for the property in probate... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Jun 2, 2023

You need to sit down with a lawyer and review the lease, the will (if any exists and has been filed), and whatever other documentation you have of the financials to get a clear picture of who owns what at this point. Are you even sure she has a right to the property at all? There may be other heirs.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Ohio on
Q: Would a juvinile judge be considered impartial if the defendent is/was in a relationship with thier daughter?

The charge is for rape of another juvinile

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on May 12, 2023

That certainly sounds like a situation where the judge is likely to recuse himself/herself but a full understanding of the facts is needed to know whether or not the judge could be disqualified, if he or she does not step aside voluntarily. Anyone facing a rape charge should be working closely with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Government Contracts, Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Ohio on
Q: How can i find out that im under investigation from gov. Being that being followed everywhere i go for weeks now
Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Apr 28, 2023

Depending upon the situation, a quite inquiry from an attorney may yield an answer but the government is under no obligation to inform you that you are under investigation.

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