Brook Park, Ohio- Law Department

Law Director Neal M. Jamison heads the Brook Park Law Department. His staff includes Administrative Assistant Kate Schmidt, Assistant Law Director and Berea Prosecutor, Bruce Courey, and Assistant Law Director and Brook Park Mayor�s Court Prosecutor Dale Short. Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Brook Park, �the Director of Law shall serve the Mayor, the Council, the administrative officers and departments, and the commissions and boards of the City as legal counsel, and shall represent the City in all proceedings in court or before any administrative body. He shall act as the prosecuting attorney for the City. He shall perform all other duties now or hereafter imposed upon city solicitors by the general laws of Ohio, unless otherwise provided by ordinance or resolution of the Council, and he shall perform such other duties as may be required by this Charter and/or as the Council or the Mayor may impose upon him- consistent with his office.�
One of the main functions of the Law Department is to prepare and/or oversee all legislation presented to the City Council from every City Department. In addition, the Law Director provides daily advice and legal opinions to the Mayor, City Administration and City Council; represents the City in litigation matters and prosecutions; assists insurance defense counsel with litigation; reviews and approves all City contracts; and monitors new developments in the law.

From the Newsletter

VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPENSATION PROGRAM
In 1976, the Ohio legislature enacted legislation that helps innocent victims of violent crimes to recover their economic losses suffered as a result of the crime. The Victims of Crimes Act is found in Sections 2743.51 to 2743.72 of the Ohio Revised Code. Generally, a person can be a �claimant� under this program if the following applies:
1. That person is the victim of �criminally injurious conduct� and is a resident of the United States.
2. The victim must have a permanent place of residence in the State of Ohio and who at the time of the �criminally injurious conduct� complies with any of the following:
a) Had a permanent place of employment in the State of Ohio.
b) Was a member of the regular armed forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, full-time member of the Ohio organized militia or of the United States army reserve, naval reserve or air force reserve.
c) Was retired and receiving social security or any other retirement income.
d) Was sixty five (65) years of age or older.
e) Was temporarily in another state for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
f) Was temporarily in another state for the purpose of performing employment related duties required by an employer who is located in Ohio.
g) Was temporarily in another state for the purpose of receiving occupational, vocational or other job-related training or instruction required by an employer who is located in Ohio.
h) Was a full-time student at an academic institution, college or university located in another state.
3. That person must not have departed the State of Ohio for thirty days with the intention of becoming a citizen or establishing residency in another state.
In order to be eligible under this program the claimant must file a police report with the appropriate law enforcement agency within seventy two (72) hours of the �criminally injurious conduct.� This program further provides that a claim must be made within two (2) years after the date of the occurrence of the �criminally injurious conduct.� If either of these time requirements are not met then a person�s claim may be denied. Once a claim is filed, a decision must be made within one hundred twenty (120) days on whether to award any reparations. During this period information is collected by the State of Ohio about the underlying crime and to determine
if the claimant has engaged in any acts that would disqualify them. An award is not allowed to be made if it is determined that the claimant was the offender or an accomplice of the offender who committed the �criminally injurious conduct.� If an award is granted the program sets forth
that a person is entitled to be paid for their �economic loss.� This would include any out of
pocket medical expenses incurred as a result of the �criminally injurious conduct.� A claimant
would also be entitled to any loss of income from work that they would have performed if they had not been injured. Attorney fees incurred by the claimant in applying for these benefits can also be paid by the State of Ohio. For additional information or assistance in making a claim under this program, it is strongly suggested that you consult with an attorney.

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