OHIO Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense in Licking County, Franklin County, Muskingum County, and Fairfield County, Ohio.

If you have been charged with a crime or are facing potential criminal charges, you need the best defense possible. Your money, your job and your very freedom may be at stake. Jail time, expensive fines, or a driver’s license suspension can be life changing.

On top of that, a permanent criminal record can make it especially difficult to get a job, have custody of your children, or enroll in school. If you’re currently employed, you might be terminated for having a criminal conviction.

That’s why it’s important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you and protect your rights through the criminal process. We help you understand your legal options so you can make the best decision for your situation. Our experience and skill insure that you receive every consideration available under the law.

While we work hard to negotiate with the prosecution, we are prepared to go to trial when necessary to get the most favorable outcome for your case.

Misdemeanor and Felony offenses

Misdemeanor Penalties

Misdemeanor in the 1st degree:

Maximum of 180 days in Jail and/or
Maximum of $1,000 fine

Misdemeanor in the 2nd Degree

Maximum of 90 days in jail and/or
Maximum of $750 fine

Misdemeanor in the 3rd Degree

Maximum of 60 days in jail and/or
Maximum of $500 fine

Misdemeanor in the 4th Degree

Maximum of 30 days in jail and/or
Maximum of $250 fine

Minor Misdemeanor

No jail
Maximum of $150 fine

Felony Penalties

Misdemeanor Penalties

Felony in the 1st degree:

3 years to an Indefinite Sentence (See Reagan Tokes Act below)
Maximum of $20,000 fine

Felony in the 2nd Degree

2 - 8 years in prison and/or (Reagan Tokes Act Applies)
Maximum of $15,000 fine

Felony in the 3rd Degree

1 - 5 years in prison and/or
Maximum of $10,000 fine

Felony in the 4th Degree

6 - 18 months in prison and/or
Maximum of $5,000 fine

Felony in the 5th Degree

6 - 12 months in jail and/or
Maximum of $2,500 fine

Bond information

Arraignment:

Appearance Bond

Unsecured Bond

The misdemeanor & felony processes begin with arraignment. At the arraignment, the magistrate or judge sets a bond. The purpose of bond is to ensure you, the accused, will return to your various other court dates.

Unsecured Bond

Appearance Bond

Unsecured Bond

An Unsecured or Recognizance bond is the least restrictive type of bond. This is generally referred to as an “O.R.” or “Signature” Bond. A recognizance bond does not require any payment of money, and is no more than a unsecured promise by the accused to appear in court when scheduled to do so. Your attorney should have the Court set this type of bond so that you can be released from jail without payment.

Appearance Bond

A standard bail bond requires a deposit of 10% of the stated bond amount with the Court. This is generally referred to as an “Appearance” or “10%” bond. It requires the Court to return 90% of the 10% deposit at the close of the case. This is the second most desirable type of Bond to have the Court set.

Cash Bond

Miscellaneous

Appearance Bond

The third and most costly type of Bond is a Cash or Surety Bond. A Cash Bond requires full payment of the bond amount to the court in advance of release. Upon compliance with the bond’s conditions, the full amount is refunded at the end of the case.

Surety Bond

Miscellaneous

A Surety Bond involves a bondsman, who charges a premium and then issues an insurance policy to the court ensuring payment of the entire bond amount in the event that the Defendant fails to appear at court. If a person has a Cash or Surety Bond, he can elect whether to pay the full amount to the court, or to hire and pay a bondsman to post an insurance policy ensuring that you will appear at court.

Miscellaneous

Bond types can vary, and may be part surety, appearance, and recognizance. Courts can also attach other conditions on bond, such as restrictions on travel, residence, employment, electronic monitoring, or prohibitions against contact with witnesses or alleged victims.