Moritz Legal Information Blog

What's the difference between correlation and causation when it comes to statistics? If you're relying on statistics to prove your point in court, it's a question you must understand. According to stats.org ,  an action or occurrence can cause another (such as smoking causes lung cancer), or it can correlate with another (such as smoking is correlated with alcoholism). If one action causes another, then they are most certainly correlated. But just because two things occur together does not mean that one caused the other, even if it seems to make sense. Unfortunately, our intuition can lead us astray when it comes to distinguishing between causality and correlation. For example, eating breakfast has long been correlated with success in school for elementary school children. It would be easy to conclude that eating breakfast causes students to be better learners. It turns out, however, that those who don’t eat breakfast are also more likely to be absent or tardy — and

The incredible fall-like weather had made Columbus's Bike to Work Day lovely. Last year's weather  wasn't too shabby: a high of 80 degrees and a low of 55 degrees. (Bookmark that historical weather page if you ever have a trial question come up about weather conditions during a particular incident (e.g., a car crash).) In honor of the day, here are two of our historical posts about bicycling (including one about a possible career path).

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!