Violent Crime Lawyers In Crooksville, OH

Violent crime charges are the most serious charges you can face in Crooksville, OH. These offenses can result in significant prison sentences, hefty fines, and a lasting impact on your personal and professional life. If prosecutors charge you with a violent crime, it’s essential that you understand your rights and speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Contact The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. for a consultation with a skilled member of our legal team about your case. We’re committed to providing comprehensive legal defense for those facing violent crime charges in Crooksville and the surrounding area.

Why Choose Us to Handle Your Violent Crime Case

Choosing the right criminal defense attorney is key when you’re facing serious criminal charges. Some of the main benefits of working with a lawyer from The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. are:

  • Award-Winning Attorneys: Our awards demonstrate our ability to fight for our clients’ rights. We are nationally recognized for our achievements, skill, legal knowledge, and ethical conduct.
  • 24/7 Availability: Our attorneys are available whenever you need them. We respond to calls and messages quickly and will keep you informed on the status of your case.
  • Satisfied Clients: Our firm has hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied clients, proving our commitment to providing excellent legal support.

Types of Violent Crimes Our Firm Handles in Crooksville

Our firm provides criminal defense for people convicted of any of the full range of violent crime cases, from capital offenses like murder to kidnapping and burglary. No matter what charges you are facing, our team can provide the legal support you need:

  • Murder and Homicide: These offenses involve the purposeful killing of another person and may result in the death penalty or life in prison.
  • Rape: This offense involves forcing another person into a sexual encounter against their will or without their consent.
  • Robbery: This offense involves committing a theft while possessing a deadly weapon, inflicting injury, or threatening to inflict injury.
  • Assault: This offense involves knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another person.
  • Domestic Violence: This offense involves knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
  • Kidnapping: This offense involves taking someone somewhere by force, threat, or deception, or just taking them, if the person is under 13 or mentally incompetent.
  • Involuntary Manslaughter: This offense involves causing another person’s death while committing or attempting to commit a felony.
  • Voluntary Manslaughter: This offense involves killing another person under the influence of sudden passion or rage caused by provocation.
  • Burglary: This offense involves trespassing on a property using force, stealth, or deception while someone other than an accomplice is present.

Violent Crime Penalties in Ohio

For first or second-degree felonies committed on or after March 22, 2019, Ohio swapped from definite prison sentences to mandatory minimum sentences. The sentences and fines you could face if convicted are:

  • First-Degree Felony: A first-degree felony conviction can result in a sentence of three to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
  • Second-Degree Felony: A second-degree felony conviction can result in a sentence of two to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
  • Third-Degree Felony: A third-degree felony conviction can result in a definite sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Fourth-Degree Felony: A fourth-degree felony conviction can result in a definite sentence of six to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
  • Fifth-Degree Felony: A fifth-degree felony conviction can result in a definite sentence of six to twelve months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
  • Misdemeanor: A misdemeanor conviction can result in up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.

Possible Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges in Crooksville

Depending on your case’s circumstances, you could use a few defenses to defeat or lessen violent crime charges.

Self-defense can be one of the most effective legal defenses against violent crime charges. For a successful self-defense claim, you must show that you believed you or someone else was at risk of imminent harm and that force was the only way to prevent that harm.

You may also be able to show that you were the victim of mistaken identity, have an alibi that puts you somewhere else at the time of the alleged crime, or that the accusations made against you are false. These defenses often involve showing evidence that you were not at the crime scene.

In some cases, our attorneys can help you defeat the charges against you by demonstrating a lack of evidence on the prosecution’s side. Typically, prosecutors don’t bring cases to trial until they have enough evidence to secure a conviction. However, we can file motions to suppress some evidence if there are questions surrounding it.

For example, if the Crooksville Police Department collected evidence through an unlawful search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, prosecutors cannot use it against you. Another example is if the chain of custody of evidence is unclear, it may have been contaminated and shouldn’t be allowed in court.

What to Do After Being Charged with a Violent Crime

After you’ve been charged with a violent crime, the first thing you should do is remain silent and calm, and contact a criminal defense lawyer. An experienced lawyer will advocate for your rights and provide valuable legal counsel.

You should also avoid speaking to investigators until your attorney is present. They may act like they’re on your side and are trying to clear up a misunderstanding. However, investigators use this tactic to get people to lower their guard. The prosecutors can and will use your statements as evidence of fault. Your attorney can coach you through what to say and what not to say.

Finally, if you have evidence of your innocence, such as text messages with the alleged victim, make sure to provide it to your attorney as soon as possible so they can begin building a strong defense.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Crooksville, Ohio

If you are facing violent crime charges in Crooksville, Ohio, contact The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. for a case evaluation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Our lawyers will help you understand the charges and potential penalties, explain your defense options, and answer any questions you have about the legal process.

Driving Directions to Our Columbus Law Office

Use the directions below to reach our law office at 713 South Front Street, Columbus, OH:

From the North:

Take I-71 S toward Columbus. Merge onto I-70 W via Exit 109A. Take Exit 100A for Front St, and turn left onto S Front St. Continue to 713 South Front Street. The destination will be on your left.

From the South:

Take I-71 N toward Columbus. Merge onto I-70 W via Exit 105A. Take Exit 100A for Front St, and turn left onto S Front St. Continue to 713 South Front Street. The destination will be on your left.

From the West:

Take I-70 E toward Columbus. Take Exit 100A for Front St, and turn right onto S Front St. Continue to 713 South Front Street. The destination will be on your left.