A domestic violence conviction can carry not only stiff criminal penalties, but a pervasive social stigma that can drastically affect many areas of your life. Even a relatively minor charge may lead to judgment from friends and family members. It could even risk your relationship with your children. If you stand accused of any type of domestic violence charge, a solid defense strategy is the best way to protect your reputation and your future.
There is no reason you have to face domestic violence allegations by yourself. A domestic violence defense lawyer in Colerain Township, OH can help you understand what to expect and mitigate the effect this charge has on your life, as well as managing your criminal defense. The Law Offices of Steven R. Adams, LLC can go to work on your case today. Call us at 513-929-9333 to learn more.
Potential Consequences of a Colerain Township Domestic Violence Charge
The potential consequences of a Colerain Township domestic violence charge depend heavily on how the state grades the charge. A minor charge usually means probation (called community control in Ohio), while a serious charge means spending significant time in jail or prison.
The biggest factors in how they grade the charge against you include:
- The nature of the alleged crime
- Specific details of the alleged crime
- The strength of the case against you
- The severity of the victim’s injuries
- Your criminal history
If they accuse you of committing or attempting to commit physical violence, you will likely face first-degree misdemeanor charges. This could mean up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. We often try to negotiate community control (probation) for this type of offense.
They may grade more serious crimes, especially those where the victim suffered serious injuries, as felony charges. A felony comes with significantly increased penalties. Many felony convictions come with mandatory minimum prison sentences. This means you will need to serve at least some prison time before serving time on probation.
Domestic violence charges also frequently involve restraining orders. If the court issues this type of order, it bars you from visiting certain places or contacting certain people. This may mean you cannot visit your family and must find a new place to live. This could impact your ability to see your children or even sleep in your own bed.
Avoiding Jail Time After a Colerain Township Domestic Violence Charge
If you enlist our help for your Colerain Township, Ohio domestic violence case, we will work to achieve the best possible outcome for you. Often, our clients voice the desire to, above all, avoid spending time in jail.
We will thoroughly investigate and analyze what occurred during the time the police accuse you of committing domestic violence. With the information we gain through this process, we will develop a defense strategy to help us fight the charges against you. We will employ every possible resource and work to clear your name or mitigate the damage done by a conviction.
Depending on the facts of your case, we can put a plan in place to help us get a more favorable outcome for you. Sometimes, this even allows us to avoid taking your case to trial. We will consider whether we can:
- Present evidence to compel prosecutors to drop the charges entirely
- Convince the district attorney to grade the charge in a more lenient manner
- Challenge some or all of the evidence the prosecution will present against you
- Negotiate a plea deal for a lesser charge or a charge with a more lenient grade
In some cases, we need to take your case to trial and present a strong case for acquittal to help our clients avoid jail time. As a Colerain Township trial lawyer, our attorney knows the prosecutors and judges who work this type of case and understands how they typically handle them. Knowing what to expect gives us an advantage when it comes to presenting an effective case in court.
We will represent you in all court appearances, and during your trial. We will present your side of the story to the jury, explaining your innocence and countering the prosecution’s claims against you. Our goal here is to raise reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors. If we can do this based on the circumstances of your case, they should return a not guilty verdict.
In some cases, we may be able to work on mitigating the effects of a conviction even if the jury finds you guilty. For example, by presenting facts to the judge to show s/he would best serve the interests of justice by sentencing you to community control (probation), we may be able to get you less time in jail.
We also handle criminal appeals. This means we may be able to work for you to clear your name even if the court already convicted you of a domestic violence charge. We will review your case to see if it may support a successful appeal. If we identify a problem with the original case or ruling, we can file an appeal for you. This takes your case in front of an appellate court, where they could throw out your conviction or offer a retrial.
Talk to a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Colerain Township, OH
Criminal defense attorney Steven R. Adams will work to help you get the best possible outcome in your domestic violence case. We know that even false allegations of domestic violence can cause a significant disruption in your life, yet they are not uncommon after a minor argument.
Are You Looking for a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cincinnati, OH?
If you are facing criminal charges, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Cincinnati office directly at 513-929-9333 to schedule your free consultation.
