Moritz Legal Information Blog

From the helpful blog of the Hamilton County Law Library, "CNO  launched the court’s first interactive online glossary designed specifically to help the public understand the legal terms that courts and lawyers frequently use." Hamilton County Law Library notes the interactive online glossary is useful for the public, but consider how often you turn to Google to look up a definition from a casebook. Next time you're scratching your head about the implications of a "per curiam" opinion, why not turn to an authoritative source instead?

"Members of the Ohio State Marching Band were a huge hit at the Statehouse during the Ohio House Session on Wednesday, May 7." You can watch a brief video here , but if you want to watch the full house session, the video is part of the Session Video Library on the Ohio legislature's website.

Punk in Drublic is not just a great album , it's also what some might experience post-graduation. But celebrate responsibly, and try to keep shenanigans to a minimum for your health and safety and to avoid any Character and Fitness issues . But is it legal to be punk in drublic, er, drunk in public? As all law grads know by now, the correct attorney answer is, "it depends." An Arizona appeals court recently ruled public intoxication cannot be a criminal offense. And Jacksonville, Florida, changed its open-container laws after homeless men arrested for drinking in public complained that the rich, powerful, and famous attending the Super Bowl in that city could drink in public with impunity. What about Ohio? Open containers are prohibited on streets  for now. Cincinnati Democrat Eric Kearney introduced a bill (SB116) a year ago to create areas exempt from this prohibition, but at present, the matter is still in committee . And public intoxication? Good news: so lon

Exams are winding down and graduation is right around the corner. You might be headed into the workplace this summer, but don't forget the law library is our workplace. That means you can contact us even when you're not in the building. Call the reference desk (614-292-9463), and if we don't answer we'll get back to you shortly. (A law librarian is at the desk 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday.) You can also send an email ( lawlibref@osu.edu ) or chat with us ( http://moritzlaw.osu.libguides.com/AskALibrarian ). We can help you find things you've been asked to track down; we can also give you some thoughts on how to approach a research project to ensure you get your employer what he or she needs.

In honor of our graduating 3Ls, let’s consider the author of that time-honored grad gift, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!   When you think of links between Dr. Seuss and the law, copyright issues likely spring to mind, like this case involving a Dylan-inspired rendition of Green Eggs and Ham .   But Whoville knows abound whenever Dr. Seuss is around.   To explore the Seussian legal world, see the New York Law School Law Review’s March 2013 symposium “Exploring Civil Society Through the Writings of Dr. Seuss.”   You can listen to the program here or watch videos here .   Topics include personal rights of identity, the nature of war, and business and society. An early congratulations to the class of 2014!  

I'm not immune from the bandwagon, and in this case there are two I've hitched to: adoration for the Upright Citizens Brigade (from which Amy Poehler sprung) and grimaces/amusement at the reenactment of a cringe-worthy deposition that turned on this key question: "When you say 'photocopying machine,' what do you mean?" The  word-for-word reenactment , albeit with full dramatic license, is particularly interesting as it originated from a legal dispute right here in Ohio. For a little background and editorial comment from one of the attorneys involved, check out this article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer .

Google's Mail Goggles prevented users from sending drunken emails by compelling users to do a series of math problems before the message would be sent. Microsoft Outlook allows you to recall or replace emails you've sent (in case, for example, you included the wrong attachment or sent confidential information to opposing counsel). But folks are still looking for a full-proof solution. (Microsoft's Outlook can't recall an email that has already been opened, and---embarrassingly---it tells the recipient you are trying to recall the email!) Enter the Harvard law students . Their service, Pluto Mail, is still in the beta stage and has some drawbacks, but it may be worth a try for those who have itchy trigger fingers when it comes to sending scathing emails.