The Youngstown Law Department has a new assistant law director.

The city hired A. Joseph Fritz, the former law director for the Village of Newton Falls. He held that position for 11 years from November 2010 until he was fired in November 2021. He had been on administrative leave since October of that year.

Fritz has also served as the prosecutor for the Village of Lordstown since November 2010.

The former law director plead guilty to amended charges in September 2022 that stemmed from an OVI arrest. Fritz pled guilty to a count of physical control in Warren Municipal Court after his previous charges of OVI, driving in marked lanes and distracted driving were dismissed.

The OVI arrest occurred in June 2022 after he was pulled over by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and failed a sobriety test. During the time of the stop, Fritz had a breathalyzer test come back with a blood alcohol level higher than the legal limit of 0.08.

Youngstown Law Director Jeff Limbian told 21 News that he considered the OVI before making his decision to hire Fritz.

"The issue of his OVI was something that was considered. It was rejected as a concern because it was a one-time isolated incident. He has an outstanding reputation as an attorney and served for 11 years as Newton Falls's law director," Limbian said. "He brings with him an enormous amount of knowledge with regard to municipal law and we look forward to working with him."