Hot Talks: The Opioid Crisis in Northeast Ohio
On August 8, 2017, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association held one of its most well-attended Hot Talks. ‘The Opioid Crisis in Northeast Ohio’ is something on the minds of the Cleveland community. There are not many families and friends left untouched by this terrible epidemic that has taken a staggering number of victims already. We heard from 3 panelists: Judge Lauren Moore who spoke about her specialized Drug Court work in the Cleveland Municipal Court. She sees and works with people convicted of drug-related offenses. Drug Court may be offered to a felony offender charged with a low-level possession of a controlled substance, who has only one nonviolent felony conviction and is chemically-dependent. The defendant is required to enter a plea of “guilty” to a first-degree misdemeanor. Their sentence is held pending successful completion of the program. Upon successful completion of Drug Court and payment of a supervision fee, a participant’s guilty plea is vacated, the charge(s) dismissed and the case sealed or expunged. Judge Moore works one on one with families to help them complete the Drug Court program, many of these families have fallen victim to the opioid crisis. Marisa Darden, the Assistant United States Attorney here in Cleveland, Ohio, spoke to us about the legal side of the Opioid crisis. She told us that the number of overdose cases in Cuyahoga County has doubled, and is set to only go higher. Marisa also talked about the victimology of this crisis. The frightening thing is that there is no specificity to victims. Some of the addictions start legally with prescription painkillers. There are no socioeconomic barriers or indications...
Spotlight On: Judge Lauren Moore
Judge Lauren Moore is an outstanding member of the Cleveland legal community. She is dedicated and passionate about raising Cleveland citizens to be their best. Since having passed the bar in 1987, Judge Moore has served as a civil attorney and a public defender at the Legal Aid Society. She also served as Chief Prosecutor for the City of Cleveland and as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor. In 2003 and election to the Cleveland Municipal Court fulfilled her ultimate goal. As an active advocate of justice, Judge Moore has received many acknowledgments and awards. Some of which being: Claude E. Clark award for outstanding service UNCEF Eagle award Phenomenal Woman Foundation award NCNW meritorious service award Murtis Taylor’s Ebony Rose award Phi Delta Kappa award for outstanding service and support of school youths in the greater Cleveland area. Shaker Heights High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame Judge Moore is key to the Mock Trial Competition each year. At Cady Reporting, we have had the unique privilege of volunteering with her for these competitions. Judge Moore never hesitates to encourage, upbuild and support each student who walks through the doors of her court(class)room. Beyond this competition, she also provides the same encouragement through the 3Rs program with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associaton. Judge Moore and Judge Groves also created the ‘Get on Track’ program at the Cleveland Municipal Court a number of years ago. This is a special probation program that primarily helps young people with misdemeanors to get their GED or high school diplomas, and assists them with life skills. Beyond even all of that, Judge Moore handles Drug...
The Finer Points of Serving as an Attorney-Notary
By Christopher D. Caspary Henry J. Heinz, American entrepreneur and businessman, once remarked that “to do a common thing uncommonly well brings success.” The designation of notary public has a long and distinguished history that dates back approximately 1500 years. Today, documents are notarized with regularity and presented or required in a variety of proceedings and applications. Though notarizations are commonplace, notarial guidelines can be complex and specific processes and procedures are statutorily mandated pursuant to R.C. 147.07 et seq. Sounds like we may need to play a little ketchup. Becoming a Notary For starters, attorneys are not automatically notaries. Instead, attorneys must be additionally appointed and commissioned by the state through an application process. Notably, the application process occurs at the county level. Attorneys must be officially commissioned prior to notarizing any document. Seal & Register Prior to notarizing any document, a notary “shall provide themselves with the seal of a notary public.” See R.C. 147.04. Specifically, the statute provides: The seal shall consist of the coat of arms of the state within a circle one inch in diameter and shall be surrounded by the words “notary public,” “notarial seal,” or words to that effect, the name of the notary public and the words “State of Ohio.” The seal may be of either a type that will stamp ink onto a document or one that will emboss it. the name of the notary public may, instead of appearing on the seal, be printed, typewritten or stamped in legible, printed letters near his signature on each document signed by him. Acknowledgment vs. Jurat the specific nature of the notarization depends upon...
Announcement: New Teammate at Cady Reporting!
The Cady family is proud to announce that we have a wonderful new addition to the team. Violet Walsh is enhancing the Cady ‘lineup’ with a diverse and experienced background. She has worked in the medical field handling a high-stress position, along with several other office positions that require organization and great customer service. Violet comes to us highly recommended! Violet is originally from Michigan but has lived in Ohio for 22 years. She and her husband, John have been married for 31 years and have 2 fantastic children ages 26 and 24. When not in production, Violet likes to spend time with her family. She is also an avid reader and likes to visit museums and historical places. We love having her here with us! Next time you have a transcript going out, you know that it will be in good hands. Don’t hesitate to let us help you with any of your litigation support needs. If you have any questions regarding your litigation support products, simply call us at (216) 861-9270 or send an email to...
#LawyerSuccess with Richard “Dickie” Scruggs…?
Dickie Scruggs may not be the person that you ever want to imitate your career after, we mean, like, ever. He was convicted of bribing a federal judge, was disbarred and sent to prison. We agree that part is not exactly a success story. His real success comes after he was released from prison. Oxford Magazine wrote an article on his life now, post-prison and scandal. In late 2007 the FBI raided Scruggs’ office, he faced (and was ultimately convicted of) a federal judicial bribery charge. Not only that, his addiction issues spilled out into the public light during it all. Richard Scruggs has not had an easy road, himself being the largest obstacle at times. But from the whole negative experience, he says he has learned so many things. He also states,”I’m happier today than I have ever been before,” how is that possible? Mr. Scruggs has left the terrible times as far behind in his mind as he can and focused on the future. But there is more than that. He let that difficult time lead him to a better place in his life. One where he let his family in and started to give back to the community around him. When you have undergone a difficult time, has it made you a better person? Perhaps put you in a better place? We would love for you to share on our Facebook page here. Dickie Scruggs shares one of his favorite quotes from Gone with the Wind:”Until you’ve lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.” So no matter what you...
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