Defending Lorain County

Lorain County Criminal Lawyer

Being charged with most crimes in Ohio can result in harsh jail or prison sentences, hefty fines, years of probation, and a criminal record which can significantly affect your ability to secure employment, rent an apartment, or receive financial assistance.

If you have been charged with a crime in Lorain County or surrounding areas, contact an experienced Lorain County criminal lawyer who can evaluate the charges against you and determine what legal defenses might apply to your situation. A qualified criminal defense attorney can advocate for you.

Ohio Recognizes Many Crimes

Ohio recognizes many types of criminal offenses. Some of the most common types of criminal charges include assault, theft, and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI).

Assault

Ohio recognizes four assault charges. According to R.C. 2903.11-.14, these consist of:

• Felonious Assault (FA): FA is the most serious of all charges as it involves actual or attempted serious bodily harm to a person, or their unborn, in a manner which was likely to produce death or great bodily injury. This also includes the use of dangerous weapons and the knowing transmission of HIV-AIDS. FA is a felony of the second degree and may result in a minimum of two years in prison.
• Aggravated Assault (AA): AA involves serious physical harm to a person or their unborn child when the offender is acting under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person into using deadly force. It is a felony of the fourth degree and may result in a minimum of six months in prison.
• Assault: Assault involves causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a person or their unborn child. It also applies to caretakers who fail to care for the functionally impaired. It is a felony of the fourth degree and may result in a minimum of six months in prison. Certain factors, such as the occupation of the victim; mental capacity of the victim; and location of the assault may increase the penalties for assault.
• Negligent Assault (NA): NA involves negligently causing physical harm to a person, or their unborn, by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance (should be ordnance?). It is a misdemeanor of the third degree and may result in up to 60 days of incarceration.

Theft

According to R.C. 2913.02, Ohio classifies theft offenses as larceny and defines them as the
unlawful taking of property (or services) belonging to someone else with the intent to permanently
deprive the person of that property. 

Charges and penalties in cases of theft are often based on the amount and type of property stolen.

• Petty thefts, or minor thefts, are misdemeanors of the first degree. These offenses do not include force, or threat of force, and the value of the stolen item is typically less than $1,000.
• If the amount stolen is more than $1,000 but less than $7,500, it is a felony of the fifth degree.
• Thefts of amounts between $7,5000 and $150,000 are grand theft, a felony of the fourth degree.
• Thefts of amounts between $150,000 and $750,000 are aggravated theft, a felony of the third degree.
• Thefts of amounts between $750,000 and $1.5 million are also considered aggravated theft, now a felony of the second degree.
• Thefts exceeding $1.5 million are also aggravated theft, now a felony of the first degree.

OVI

Impairment for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) is inferred when someone’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08% or higher or contains a certain percentage of illegal drugs. The implied consent laws provide law enforcement with a blood, breath, or urine test to determine BAC levels under Ohio law. All persons arrested for OVI have the right to refuse the test. However, anyone who refuses will lose their license. This license suspension may be challenged by a Lorain County criminal lawyer and driving privileges may be obtained.

Every criminal charge can be different, regardless of whether it is one of those listed above or the
possession and sale of drugs, murder, and manslaughter, sexual assault, and abuse, or anything else. The bottom line is important to identify all the legal defenses to a crime – and that is where a Lorain County criminal lawyer can help most.

How a Lorain County Criminal Attorney Can Help

If you have been charged with a crime in Ohio, contact an experienced Lorain County criminal lawyer who can look at all the charges against you and advise you as to all your legal options going forward.

The consequences of a criminal conviction are simply too steep to face alone. Your future is important and a conviction can change your life forever. Find out how a criminal attorney can help you today.

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