The Ohio State Bar Association, founded in 1880, is
a voluntary professional association open to any
person who has been admitted to the practice of
law. Law school students, paralegal students and
paralegals sponsored by an OSBA attorney member
are eligible for membership in the OSBA as
associate members.
A bar association is a professional organization of attorneys and judges. Its purpose is to
promote a high standard of ethics for its members and to provide a means by which the
administration of justice can be improved. In Ohio, most lawyers are members of the Ohio
State Bar Association, the fourth largest voluntary bar association in the world. There is
also a local bar association in every county and large city in Ohio including Belmont
County.
Bar association committees work to improve and simplify laws and the legal process. Many
bar associations have Certified Grievance Committees whose responsibility it is to see that
the members of the bar adhere to the high standards of conduct that are prescribed by the
Supreme Court of Ohio. This committee has authority under Ohio Supreme Court rules to
investigate attorneys' conduct. If the committee finds sufficient facts to indicate a violation
of the rules, it may file charges with the Court. The Court then decides whether to order
discipline and how severe the sanction will be.
Bar Association
The First 10 Amendments to the Constitution as
Ratified by the States
Note: The following text is a transcription of the first
10 amendments tothe Constitution in their original
form. These amendments were ratifiedDecember 15,
1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights"
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech,or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people to
keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in
any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in
time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by
law.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable
searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases
arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia,
when in actual service in time of War or public
danger; nor shall any person be subject for the
same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or
limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to
be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use,
without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy
the right to a speedy and public trial, by an
impartial jury of the State and district wherein the
crime shall have been committed, which district
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and
to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses
against him; to have compulsory process for
obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of
trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by
a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court
of the United States, than according to the rules of
the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor crueland unusual punishments
inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people.
associate members.
JudgeFrankFregiato