Criminal Defense Lawyers in Summit County, OH

Providing Skilled Legal Guidance for the Accused

If you were accused of committing one or more criminal acts in Ohio, you should immediately hire a criminal defense attorney to protect yourself from serious consequences. At Weisenburger Law Offices, LLC, we know you’re innocent until proven guilty, so you deserve to have an experienced lawyer by your side doing everything possible to clear your name during your case.

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to swiftly begin working on your case to ensure you understand the charges against you and meet all deadlines set by the court. If you’re confused or worried about your charges, we urge you to call our law firm to speak with compassionate criminal defense lawyers in Summit County, OH as soon as possible.

What Types of Criminal Cases Can We Handle?

Being accused of a criminal offense can be scary, especially when you realize the penalties for being convicted could include years in prison, fines, and loss of privileges that you enjoy today. It’s important to give yourself the best chance of avoiding the most serious penalties, and you can do this by hiring a legal team that has won cases like yours over the years.

Fortunately, we have successfully handled cases involving a variety of criminal charges against clients, so you can count on us to provide a strong defense against the felony or misdemeanor charges you face in Northeast Ohio. Some examples of the criminal charges we have handled for Ohio residents include:

• Assault
• Arson
• Burglary
• Domestic violence
• Drug trafficking
• DUI
• Kidnapping
• Murder
• Rape
• Robbery
• Trespassing
• Vandalism

If you were accused of these or other serious crimes, it’s essential that you hire an experienced lawyer to protect your civil rights. Otherwise, you could be convicted and sentenced to years in jail or prison if you plead guilty or represent yourself. You deserve help from Summit County, OH attorneys with the legal knowledge and experience to get the best possible outcome, so call us to discuss your case.

What Penalties Could You Get If Convicted?

At our law firm, we view all types of criminal charges as serious and worth defending our clients over. That being said, some crimes have more severe consequences than others, and you should know what they are before your case begins.

In Ohio, misdemeanor crimes are often punished by up to six months in jail and $150 to $1,000 in fines. Some examples of misdemeanors in this state include petty theft, vandalism, trespassing, and disorderly conduct.

Just as in other states, felonies are more serious than misdemeanors in Ohio, and the penalties reflect this. You could be sentenced to anywhere from months to years in prison, depending on the degree of felony you’re convicted of.

For example, a fifth-degree felony could be punished by 6 to 12 months in prison and $2,500 in fines. The prison time, fines, and other penalties increase accordingly for fourth, third, and second-degree felonies.

First-degree felonies are among the most serious charges, with maximum fines going up to $20,000 and up to 11 years in prison. The only more serious crime you can be charged with is an unclassified felony, such as murder, which can result in 15 years to life in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Whether you’re accused of a misdemeanor or felony in Ohio, you deserve the chance to avoid serious penalties, and hiring a criminal defense lawyer is the recommended way to do this. If you’re ready to discuss your legal options with a Summit County criminal defense attorney who genuinely cares about the outcome of your case, contact our law firm today.

What Are the Possible Outcomes of Criminal Defense Cases in Ohio?

It’s important to understand how hiring an attorney could affect your criminal defense case, as there are many opportunities for your legal team to fight for you along the way. The first step usually takes place during the preliminary hearing, when your lawyer finds out what evidence the prosecutor has and fights it with the goal of getting the case dismissed. They might also file a motion to suppress the evidence against you to get the charges dropped.

If the judge determines there is enough evidence for the case to progress, your attorney will gather evidence to show you did not commit the crime as charged. If they believe your case is strong enough to have a good chance of getting a not-guilty verdict, it could proceed to trial. If not, your lawyer might recommend a plea bargain so you don’t risk being found guilty in the courtroom.

More specifically, your lawyer might choose a charge plea bargain for your case, where you plead guilty to a less serious offense. Another option is a sentence plea bargain, where you plead guilty to the original charge in exchange for less serious penalties. Either way, the outcome is typically more beneficial than simply pleading guilty at the start of the case without a lawyer advising you.

When Should You Call Criminal Defense Lawyers in Summit County, OH?

As soon as you’ve been arrested, you should request to talk to an attorney, as you can typically make a phone call once you’ve gotten through the booking process. After all, Ohio criminal courts schedule court appearances, such as arraignments, very quickly after an arrest, and you will want guidance from a skilled lawyer before you make any decisions on your case.

For this reason, you should call Weisenburger Law Offices, LLC at 330-296-8000 immediately after you’ve been arrested. When you contact us for legal support, you can expect to speak with a caring lawyer who will listen to the details of your case before creating a defense angle specific to your needs. Call us today for your initial consultation.