Criminal Defense Lawyers In Mt. Gilead, OH

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Mt. Gilead, OH

If you are facing criminal charges in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, you need a criminal defense attorney who can fight for your legal rights. Whether you were recently arrested by the Mt. Gilead Police Department or already have a court date scheduled at the Morrow County Courthouse, it’s essential to take the charges filed against you seriously.

Contact The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. for a free consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense lawyers. We’ll review your case, go over some of the defenses you could use, and answer your questions about criminal trial proceedings.

How Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Mt. Gilead Can Benefit Your Case

Our firm has over 100 years of combined legal experience defending those charged with crimes in Ohio. When you hire our team, we’ll work to protect your rights by:

Investigating Your Case

Our lawyers will investigate your case to identify possible defenses and gather evidence supporting your innocence.

Providing Legal Advice

We’ll provide sound legal advice throughout the process, including telling you what to say and what not to say when speaking to police and prosecutors.

Seeking Plea Agreements

We can help you seek a favorable plea agreement that reduces the charges or penalties you’re facing.

Preparing for Trial

Our team will help you prepare for trial, including by performing practice depositions and cross-examinations.

Representing You at Trial

Finally, we’ll represent you and fight for your rights in court, seeking to beat the charges.

Criminal Defense Cases Our Firm Handles

At The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc., we handle various types of criminal defense cases, including:

Our team can also assist you with other legal issues, including:

Arrest and bench warrants
Bail and bonds
Self-defense claims

What Penalties Could You Face in Mt. Gilead?

If charged with a felony crime in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, you could face the following penalties, depending on the classification of the crime:

Unclassified Felonies

Example: Murder
Penalties: Between 15 years and life in prison, or the death sentence in aggravated murder cases

First-Degree Felonies

Example: Rape
Penalties: Between three and 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000

Second-Degree Felonies

Example: Criminal assault
Penalties: Between two and eight years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

Third-Degree Felonies

Example: Robbery
Penalties: Between nine months and five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

Fourth-Degree Felonies

Example: Sexual misconduct with a minor
Penalties: Between six and 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000

Fifth-Degree Felonies

Example: Breaking and entering
Penalties: Between six and 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500

Misdemeanor charges are less severe and may result in imprisonment in a local jail instead of state prison. The misdemeanor classifications and their penalties are:

First-degree misdemeanors may result in up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Second-degree misdemeanors may result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.
Third-degree misdemeanors may result in up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Fourth-degree misdemeanors may result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
Minor misdemeanors may result in a fine of up to $150.

Mandatory Sentences

Some criminal charges in Ohio involve mandatory sentences that differ from the penalty guidelines for specific charge classifications. For example, if prosecutors charge you with a fourth OVI offense, you may face a mandatory minimum sentence of six months and a maximum sentence of 30 months.

Your attorney can help you determine if the charges you’re facing have mandatory minimum sentences that differ from the general sentencing guidelines.

Additional Penalties

Some charges also have additional penalties beyond prison sentences and fines. Examples of additional penalties include post-release control (PRC), community control (probation), and registering as a sex offender with the state’s sex offender registry.

Community control can last up to five years and places certain restrictions on offenders, such as not committing any additional criminal offenses.

Post-release control is for offenders convicted of first- and second-degree felonies, felony sex offenses, or third-degree felonies involving violence. It places more restrictions on the offender than community control, such as dictating where the offender can and can’t live or work, and the duration depends on the type of offense:

Five years for felony sex offenses
Between two and five years for first-degree felonies
Between 18 months and three years for second-degree felonies
Between one and three years for third-degree felonies involving violence

Sealing and Expunging Criminal Records in Ohio

In Ohio, sealing and expunging criminal records refer to the same act, which involves clearing convictions, non-convictions, and arrests from an individual’s record. Both felony and misdemeanor charges and convictions can be expunged as long as the offender meets certain criteria and an exception doesn’t explicitly exclude the offense from expungement.

Examples of offenses not eligible for expungement include those where the victim was less than 13 years old and OVI convictions.

The first step to get a charge expunged is to wait until the statutory waiting period passes. For eligible felonies, this waiting period lasts for three years after the end of the individual’s sentence. The second step is to file for expungement with the court. Courts in Ohio can have different procedures for expungement, so working with an experienced attorney can make the process smoother.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Mt. Gilead

Are you facing criminal charges in Mt. Gilead, Ohio? Whether the charges you’re facing are for a felony or misdemeanor offense, The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. is here to help.

Our firm can also help with various other legal issues surrounding criminal charges, including getting a record expunged or having a bench warrant dismissed. Don’t let a criminal record permanently impact your life. Take the first step toward protecting your rights by contacting our law office today for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney about your case.

Driving Directions to Our Mt. Gilead Law Office

Use the directions below to reach our law office at 19 East High Street in Mt. Gilead, OH:

From the North:

Take I-71 South toward Columbus. Exit at State Route 95 (Exit 151) and turn right, heading west toward Mt. Gilead. Continue on State Route 95 for approximately 4 miles into downtown Mt. Gilead. Turn left onto East High Street. The office is located on the left.

From the South:

Take I-71 North toward Cleveland. Exit at State Route 95 (Exit 151) and turn left, heading west toward Mt. Gilead. Follow State Route 95 for about 4 miles into downtown Mt. Gilead. Turn left onto East High Street. The office is on the left.

From the East:

Take US-42 West toward Mt. Gilead. Once in town, continue onto South Main Street. Turn left onto East High Street. The office is on your left.

From the West:

Take US-42 East toward Mt. Gilead. In town, follow South Main Street and turn right onto East High Street. The office is located on your left.