Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

They will pay your legal fees

Please remember that as a condition of any appeals to the courts to make the city allow the people to vote on these issues, you may include language to force the city to reimburse you for your legal fees you incur in the process in the event that you win your effort. The city likes to hire outside attorneys and PR spin doctors so they may as well pay for yours too.

Only if you win

The paying of attorney?’s fee is a normal request by those filing the Writ of Mandamus actions. However please keep in mind that the judge has the final say. First if you do file an action, file it in the Ohio Supreme Court. You will eliminate the appeal process from the City. If the City is blatant in their attempt to keep the issue off of the ballot the court may find in your favor and award you the court costs or what ever is appropriate in their judgment. However if you lose, you'll be required to pay you own way. If you win you may have a chance of getting the legal fees reimbursed by the City.

The word to the wise is, have about $1,400 ready to hire an attorney. I think you will need it.