Overcriminalizing the Buckeye State? Criminal-Law Trends in Ohio and the Threat to Liberty and Commerce

The Columbus Lawyers Chapter

Keynote Address:

• Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio

Panel Discussion:

• Paul Larkin, Senior Legal Research Fellow, Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial
  Studies, Heritage Foundation
• Chad A. Readler, Partner, Jones Day
• Maurice A. Thompson, Executive Director, 1851 Center for Constitutional Law
• Moderator: Robert Alt, President, Buckeye Institute

Address:

• Senator Larry Obhof, Majority Whip, Ohio State Senate (Invited)

Keynote Address:

• Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, Senior Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio

Panel Discussion:

• Paul Larkin, Senior Legal Research Fellow, Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial
  Studies, Heritage Foundation
• Chad A. Readler, Partner, Jones Day
• Maurice A. Thompson, Executive Director, 1851 Center for Constitutional Law
• Moderator: Robert Alt, President, Buckeye Institute

Address:

• Senator Larry Obhof, Majority Whip, Ohio State Senate (Invited)

A national trend extending criminal sanctions to what were conventionally matters left to civil justice or professional norms is increasingly being described as “overcriminalization.” Although criminal penalties can be effective, critics of the trend, on both the left and right, express concern that criminal codes afford prosecutors broad discretion in enforcement initiatives while making it increasingly difficult for Americans to comply in good faith. Additionally, concern has emerged that valuable state resources necessary to protect state residents from the most serious crimes may be redirected to enforce new laws at odds with traditional common law principles.

This forum will explore the extent of such “overcriminalization” in Ohio and how it might best be addressed. We are fortunate to feature such a distinguished group of speakers to explore and help understand overcriminalization trends in Ohio. Keynoting the event will be Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, a senior associate justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Ohio Senator Larry Obhof, majority whip of the Ohio Senate, has been invited to deliver a stand-alone address on the topic.

Reception - 6:00 p.m.
Program Begins - 6:30 p.m.

To RSVP, please call 646-839-3375 or register at this link: http://www.manhattan-institute.org/events/clp_06-04-13.htm