Experienced Assault Defense Attorneys In Ohio
If you are convicted with an assault charge in Ohio, you are at risk of receiving various criminal penalties, including fines, jail time and a possible permanent felony record. Your assault conviction can also tarnish your personal relationships and limit your employment options in the future. With stakes this high, you need strong criminal defense representation to try to avoid these outcomes.
If you need legal assistance for your assault case in northeast Ohio, our team of criminal defense lawyers at Gemelas, Wilson, Merrill & Fritz Co. LPA will learn the details of your case and help build a solid defense. With over 130 years of combined experience, our attorneys are ready to fight hard and dedicate our firm’s resources to help safeguard your interests.
How An Assault Conviction Can Affect Your Life
Depending on the degree of your alleged assault conduct, your penalties upon conviction may include:
- First-degree misdemeanor: A simple assault may result in up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and probation.
- Fourth-degree felony: An aggravated assault may be punished with up to 18 months in jail, a $5,000 fine and a permanent felony record.
- Second-degree felony: A felonious assault conviction can mean up to eight years in jail, $15,000 fine and extended probation requirements.
Beyond the punishments the court inflicts, life after an assault charge often brings forth a string of additional challenges for your relationships, career prospects and mental well-being. With a permanent criminal record in your name, your opportunities for growth and personal interactions with the world become more limited.
Whether you are trying to apply for a job, rent an apartment, buy insurance policies or volunteer within your community – your assault conviction’s consequences will always warrant a background check and create obstacles for you and your family.
Strategic Defenses Against Assault Charges In Ohio
Depending on the circumstances of your case, three common defense strategies include:
- Self-defense: You had a reasonable belief in imminent harm, which led you to defend yourself against the other party.
- Lack of intent: Your actions at the incident were accidental, and there was no clear intention of causing harm to the other party.
- False accusations: You were falsely identified as the perpetrator of the incident, and the witness statements were not fully dependable.
With our defense lawyers’ experience in criminal defense cases and passion to defend, we can thoroughly investigate every substantial detail in your case and tailor a strategy that can challenge the prosecution’s evidence.
By collaborating with our assault defense lawyers in Ohio, you will get the help you need to protect your rights and learn how to fight your assault charge/s effectively and aggressively.
Contact A Full-Service Northeast Ohio Law Firm Today
When you reach out to us, our Elyria criminal defense lawyers will take the time to get to know you, your situation and your goals. Get started on your legal journey today by scheduling a free initial consultation with our firm at 888-506-0340 or by clicking through our online contact form.