subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published September 09, 2008 08:32 pm - Local officials were guarded in their reaction to a new Ohio law that gives homeowners more legal leeway to use force to defend their property.

Law gives homeowners legal leeway to use force to defend their property
Ohio’s ‘castle doctrine’ gets some local reaction

From staff reports
Star Beacon

Local officials were guarded in their reaction to a new Ohio law that gives homeowners more legal leeway to use force to defend their property.

The so-called “castle doctrine,” which took effect Monday, automatically assumes someone who injures or kills an intruder in their home or vehicle acted in self-defense. Previously, those people had to prove self-defense.

Some police are leery of the law, believing it could invite people to use more force than necessary to deal with intruders, according to reports. Others applaud the law, believing it long overdue.

The new law consists of two parts. The first limits the damages that can be collected from a homeowner who uses force. The second part applies the new guidelines to any location where the owner has a right to be, including their vehicles.

Ashtabula City Solicitor Michael Franklin doesn’t foresee much change stemming from either aspect of the new law.

“Juries show common sense,” he said of the first part. “I’m not sure that change in the law was a priority.”

“The fact that the law has changed should not change the behavior of law-abiding people,” Franklin said, regarding the second part. “There’s no reason to act more aggressively.”

Geneva Police Chief Dan Dudik said officers are always concerned with safety and will “work within the confines of the laws provided to us by our legislators.”

“The law won’t change what the bad guys would do,” he said. “The law won’t change our response. We always have a concern with officer safety and the officers are trained to handle these situations.”

Dudik said the bill is “quite lengthy” and covers guns in and around school systems and motor vehicles.

In Conneaut, Police Chief Jon Arcaro and Law Director Lori Lamer said they haven’t had time to examine the new law. Ashtabula County Sheriff William Johnson could not be immediately reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The new law also changes how people with conceal carry permits may transport weapons. Loaded guns or unloaded weapons with ammunition nearby may now be put into unlocked gloveboxes or center consoles.

The old law insisted weapons be unloaded and carried in a locked glovebox or trunk. Consoles were off-limits, and ammo had to be transported separate from the firearm.

Staff writers Shelley Terry, Margie Trax Page and Mark Todd contributed to this article



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

PREMIUM JOBS

RN - HOME CARE
Well established company (20+ years.) Need an experienced RN to do opens, HHA and LPN supervisory visits, recerts, and d...>MORE

Villa at the Lake
A Drug Free Facility
is seeking
RCA’s
Please apply within at
48 Parrish Rd Conneaut, OH
...>MORE

ENGINEERING & PROCESS MANAGER

Veitsch-Radex America Inc - An RHI Company, is a world leader in supplying products to the molten metals industry,
...>MORE

Waitress
PT Waitress, Exp. only.
Apply in person.
Lakeway Rest. Lake Ave.
...>MORE

WE HAVE JOBS!!!!

Your job search begins and ENDS at Just In Time Staffing!

Immediate Openings:

QUALITY INSPEC
...>MORE

SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP
Has a Part-time salaried opening for Zoning Inspector. Applicant must have the following: Valid Ohio Drivers License in ...>MORE

ASSEMBLY & PRESS OPERATORS
For Girard, PA.
Plastics Manufacturer
15 openings. (814)833-6722
...>MORE

OPERATORS
Strong mechanical/numerical skills
Solid computer exp./Physically fit
Former Factory Experience
Excellent
...>MORE

Winder Operator

Plastic extrusion operation hiring for Day Shift (7AM-7PM) and Night Shift (7PM - 7AM). Candidates must have a hi
...>MORE

Drivers

Regional Opportunities
for OHIO Drivers!

3 Pay Raises in the 1st Yr.
Great Pay & Full Benefit
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM AUTOS

See all ads

PREMIUM HOMES

MOBILE HOME FOR SALE CONNEAUT
2BR carport, large shed, dishwasher, appliances, AC, extras negotiable. $3500 obo. No land contracts.
Conneaut 440
...>MORE

Mobile Homes for Sale
Whispering Willow
2BR & 3BR homes for sale
starting at $7,900.
Financing avail.
440-466-6403
...>MORE

House for Sale Andover
3BR 2.5BA Ranch Andover w/ full bsmt. Big country kitchen with island, pantry, family room, L shaped living and dining r...>MORE

For Sale By Owner

64 West Jefferson Street
Well-maintained Center Hall Colonial w/ Pool/Guest House, Heated pool, Gazebo & mo
...>MORE

THE “CHANGE” WILL DO YOU GOOD


NORMANDY VILLAGE
55+ Manufactured Home Community
700 W. Main St. (Rt.20)
Geneva, Ohio
44
...>MORE

Lot For Sale
20 acres near Jefferson approximately 6 mature acres of woods and over 7000 seedlings. Great home or cabin setting $39,0...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM EXTRAS

Wanted to Buy!
Immediate Cash !
For unwanted items.
Call for details 440-319-4274
...>MORE

Dining Room Set
Solid oak dining room table 2 leaves, 6 oak chairs $500. (440)428-4716...>MORE

BUYING JUNK VEHICLES
WE PAY SCRAP OR BETTER
Budget Auto Parts,
6015 Woodman Ave. 992-1111
...>MORE

"WE NEED LAND"!
Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE

I will babysit in my Saybrook Home.
Exp. & CPR cert. 969-9694...>MORE

Business Opportunity
4316 West Ave. Duplex,
Excellent condition.
Gross rents $850/mo.
$39,900 OBO! For more info
Call 216
...>MORE

Lost Dog!
LOST: Male Schnauzer,
salt & pepper, black collar w/tags.
“Jasper” Reed Ave Ash. Reward.
(440)998-7880
...>MORE

Land for Sale
45 acres gas well and royalties.
Nice location near Lake Erie,
$125,000 obo. 440-812-7374
...>MORE

See all ads

PREMIUM RENTALS

Apartment for Rent Saybrook
Saybrook 2BR up, elec. heat, frig. & stove, clean $425+sec. 428-2910...>MORE

Apartments in Jefferson for Rent
2BR $475/mo+sec.
Jefferson. (440)645-0578
...>MORE

Unfurnished Apartment in Hartsgrove
Hartsgrove: 2BR 1.5BA 1st flr,
lg. master suite & walk in closet, deck
$575. Must see. (440)474-0555
...>MORE

Apartment for Rent Conneaut
1BR apt. Conneaut stove/frig./water incl. $300/mo. (440)593-4532...>MORE

House for Rent
Roaming Shores, Lake site on acreage 3BR 1-1/2BA, bsmt, gar., pet ok $725/mo. 440463-3690...>MORE

Conneaut Apartment for Rent
Conn: 3BR upstairs, $425+sec.: 3BR downstairs $450+sec. Plus util. No pets. (440)224-1303...>MORE

House for Rent Conneaut
Conn: New 3BR all appl. $425+sec. No pets. 593-1866...>MORE

House for Rent
Five bdrm house LARGE bungalow FOR RENT! Quiet park setting $750/MONTH plus Utilities 440-466-7885....>MORE

Apartment for Rent Ashtabula County
Spacious 2BR apt. $480+sec. (440)213-8859...>MORE

House for Rent
964 Broad St., Conn. 3-4BR 1.5BA, all appl., AC, 2 car gar., no pets. $675/mo+util. 330-273-1622...>MORE

See all ads



 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index