(A) Proof of liability in an action brought pursuant to this chapter shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.
(B) (1) A person against whom recovery is sought who has been convicted of the distribution of an illegal controlled dangerous substance under state law or under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq., is precluded from denying participation in the marketing of an illegal controlled dangerous substance. Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the provisions of this division (B) shall not affect a person’s burden of proving the elements required by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable precedent setting case law.
(2) A conviction specified in division (B)(1) of this section shall also be prima facie evidence of the defendant’s participation in the marketing of an illegal controlled substance used by the individual user, where the conviction was based upon the person’s marketing of that same type of illegal controlled substance.
(C) The absence of a criminal conviction of a person pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section against whom recovery is sought does not bar an action against that person in an action pursuant to any applicable rules of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.
(Ord. 2018-07, passed 9-10-2018)