The reality of our criminal justice system is that most people who face criminal charges are going to end up being sentenced by a judge. Dismissals and not guilty verdicts are rare. There is an art and science to representing a client at a sentencing hearing. The...
Criminal Defense
What Are Pretrial Services and Pretrial Supervision?
The majority of courts in Southwest Ohio utilize either a pretrial services division and/or some type of pretrial supervision program. In either instance, they are designed to assist courts in setting bonds and to ensure that defendants with a pending case (or stated...
A Shift in Ohio’s Weapons Under Disability Law
The second amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right for citizens to keep and bear arms. This amendment is highly debated, argued over, and often used as a headline to spark debate during election season. While the right to bear arms is sacred...
What Does A Criminal Trial Look Like?
The vast majority of criminal cases are usually resolved in one of two ways. Most criminal cases resolve through some sort of negotiated plea bargain which results in a guilty plea to one or more offenses. Other cases, though, end with a trial. At trial, your defense...
Ohio Senate Bill 288
Today, Ohio Senate Bill 288 ("SB288") goes into effect. It cleans up Ohio’s sealing law, which has been a little confusing over the years. Instead of requiring a two part-analysis of: 1) eligible offender; and 2) eligible offense, SB288 removes the eligible offender...
Move Over….It’s The Law
Rising temperatures mean more cars on Ohio highways as people hit the road for summer vacations and other warm weather activities. Over the last few years, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has been ramping up the enforcement of a law not always observed by motorists....
Do I Have to Show Up for My Arraignment in Ohio?
The answer depends on the type of crime you were charged with, the court where you were ordered to appear, and whether your lawyer is able to waive your appearance or appear without you. If you have been charged with a criminal or traffic offense, there are likely...
Do I need a lawyer if I was charged with a crime?
After a person receives a summons or gets arrested, a common question is whether a lawyer is needed. The decision to hire a lawyer is a big one, especially in criminal defense cases. The answer is not a black and white one. A good rule is that whenever there is a...
What is a Pretrial in a Criminal Case?
In most criminal cases, regardless of if they are a misdemeanor or felony, the court date after arraignment (initial appearance in front of the judge) is a called a “pretrial.” Some courts call this a “plea or trial setting.” Regardless of what the court calls it,...
2022 Criminal Defense Success
As this year ends, we proudly share the variety of ways we helped people achieve justice who were accused of crimes over the past 12 months. There is no greater honor than representing another human being. We take pride in ethically and zealously defending the...