Being charged with domestic violence in the state of Ohio can be a terrifying experience. With the help of an experienced Cincinnati domestic violence attorney at Suhre & Associates, LLC you may be able to avoid these nightmarish outcomes. Call us today at (513) 333-0014.
If convicted, you could be sent to prison and forced to pay a hefty fine. You may also lose custody of your children or be forced to leave your family home. So don’t wait any more and contact our law office today.
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Why You Should Hire the Suhre & Associates, LLC, Legal Team in Cincinnati, OH
Our skilled Cincinnati criminal defense lawyers believe that every Ohioan who is accused of domestic abuse or violence should receive a vigorous defense. When you hire us to help you fight back against your criminal charges, we will:
Protect Your Constitutional Rights
When arresting and prosecuting you for domestic violence, the state of Ohio and all of its representatives must respect your constitutional rights. Unfortunately, overzealous prosecutors and police officers have been known to step over the line from time to time.
Having worked within the criminal justice system for many years, our lawyers are experts at spotting constitutional rights violations as they occur. If a representative of the state crosses the line during your case, we will intervene immediately. If necessary, we will also raise the matter with the presiding judge.
Guide You Through the Legal Process
The Ohio justice system can be quite complex and confusing. As such, it is not unusual for defendants to make simple mistakes or missteps that make it easier for the prosecution to convict them.
Fortunately, when you work with a Suhre & Associates, LLC, attorney, you won’t need to worry about making any costly errors. Our legal team will be on hand to guide you through every stage of your legal journey in a smooth and seamless manner.
Negotiate a Plea Bargain Deal with the Prosecution
During the early stages of your domestic violence case, the prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain agreement. Unfortunately, the punishments outlined in their initial deal are likely to be quite harsh. Before accepting such an offer, it is almost always wise to attempt to secure more lenient penalties.
The lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC have been negotiating with Ohio prosecutors for many years. As such, we understand what they need to see and hear to reduce the punishments in their plea bargain agreements. When you work with us, we will use all of our experience to try to land you a favorable deal.
Have you been accused of inflicting physical or emotional abuse upon one of your family members? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the attorneys here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, in Cincinnati, OH. We are ready, willing, and able to help you fight back against your criminal charges.
Commonly Charged Domestic Violence Offenses in Ohio
The Ohio Revised Code contains a litany of offenses that the police can use to charge individuals that they believe have engaged in physical assault or sexual assault against their intimate partner or another member of their family. The most commonly charged domestic violence offenses in the Buckeye State are:
Domestic Assault/Battery
Section 2919.25 of the Ohio Revised Code states that it is unlawful for a person to:
- Knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
- Recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member.
- Knowingly cause a family or household member to believe that they are in danger of imminent physical harm.
In most instances, the state of Ohio punishes domestic assault/battery as a misdemeanor of the first degree. However, if the offender knew that the victim was pregnant at the time of the attack, it may be bumped up to a fifth-degree felony. If the offender’s actions cause serious physical harm to the unborn baby, the offense can be classified as a third-degree felony.
Sexual Assault/Battery
Section 2907.03 of the Ohio Revised Code explains that it is illegal for an individual to:
- Knowingly coerce another person to submit to sexual conduct by any means that would prevent resistance.
- Engage in sexual conduct with another person despite knowing that their ability to control their conduct is substantially impaired.
- Engage in sexual conduct with another person despite knowing that they are unaware that the act is being committed.
People who violate this statute may be arrested and charged with sexual battery. In Ohio, such an offense is generally classified as a felony of the third degree.
Violation of a Protection Order
Section 2919.27 of the Ohio Revised Code makes it illegal for a person to recklessly violate the terms of a protection order (restraining order) issued by the state of Ohio or any other state.
In the state of Ohio, violating a protection order is typically punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree. However, if the offender violates the order while committing a felony offense, this charge can be upgraded to a third-degree felony.
The lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have been representing Ohioans who have been accused of being abusive partners for many years. If you would like us to help you with your domestic violence charge as well, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We would love to arrange a free consultation at our Cincinnati law office to learn more about your case.
Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction in Ohio
The state of Ohio punishes violence against women and children quite severely. Individuals who commit domestic violence crimes in the Buckeye State are punished as follows:
- First-Degree Felonies: A prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $20,000.
- Second-Degree Felonies: A prison sentence of up to 8 years and a fine of up to $15,000.
- Third-Degree Felonies: A prison sentence of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Fourth-Degree Felonies: A prison sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Fifth-Degree Felonies: A prison sentence of up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.
- First-Degree Misdemeanors: A jail sentence of up to 180 days and a fine of up to $1,000.
People who are found guilty of domestic violence offenses in the state of Ohio may also face numerous collateral consequences of their conviction, such as:
- Difficulty Finding Housing: Many landlords do not wish to rent to individuals with criminal records.
- Difficulty Finding a Job: Employers are often hesitant to hire felons. Many companies have strict policies against doing so.
- Loss of Professional Licenses: People who are convicted of domestic violence often have trouble renewing their professional licenses. Some have their licenses revoked as soon as they are found guilty.
- Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: State and federal law ban violent felons from buying, carrying, or using firearms.
- Child Custody Issues: The state of Ohio does not wish to increase the risk of children becoming victims of abuse. As such, individuals who are convicted of domestic violence frequently lose custody of their kids.
- Immigration Issues: Federal law states that noncitizens who are found guilty of domestic abuse may be deported.
The skilled attorneys here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, in Cincinnati, OH, battle hard every day to help our clients avoid being convicted of domestic violence offenses. If you would like to have us help you fight back against your charge, please give us a call and set up a free consultation with a member of our experienced legal team.
Defenses Against Ohio Domestic Violence Charges
In many cases, a well-thought-out defense strategy is the only thing that can prevent a domestic violence charge from becoming a domestic violence conviction. The following strategies tend to be among the most widely used and effective:
Self-Defense
It is not illegal for an individual who is involved in an abusive relationship to use reasonable force to defend themselves if they are attacked. If an attorney can prove that their client struck their family member in self-defense, they may be able to get their charges dropped.
False Allegations
It is, unfortunately, not unusual for people to falsely claim that they are the victims of domestic violence. If a defense lawyer can show that their client was wrongly accused, they should have little trouble getting the case dismissed.
Lack of Evidence
To convict an individual of domestic violence, the state of Ohio must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If an attorney argues that the state has not presented enough evidence to prove its case, they may be able to get a jury to rule in their client’s favor.
Charged with Domestic Violence in Cincinnati? Our Law Firm Can Help
The knowledgeable lawyers here at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have been defending the people of Cincinnati against their domestic violence charges for years. During that time, we have achieved countless favorable outcomes for our clients. To learn more about how we can help you with your case, just give us a call or contact us online to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
