Have you been arrested for a crime in Erie County, Ohio? We know how scary that situation can be, especially if you have never been arrested before. You need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side who can help protect your rights and put together a strong defense to your charges.
The team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has more than 181 years of combined legal experience, and you can put our experience to work for you today. We help clients in Erie County navigate the criminal justice system after drug crimes, theft crimes, and nearly all other types of criminal matters.
If you are facing criminal charges in Erie County, contact us today to learn more about how we can help. Let us get started putting together a defense to help you avoid jail time or get a complete acquittal. Call us now at (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free case evaluation with an Erie County criminal defense lawyer.
How Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers Can Help If You’re Arrested
The time after an arrest can be scary, and you might feel like you have nowhere to turn. You probably think that the authorities have already made up their mind that you are guilty. Thankfully, there is somewhere you can turn for help.
You have a right to get your day in court and defend yourself against any criminal allegations brought against you. The experienced team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is here to help you do that. If you are facing criminal charges, let us help you by:
- Reviewing your indictment or other documentation to understand the details of the charges against you
- Explaining all your legal rights and options and offering you sound legal advice
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses who can help prove your innocence
- Filing motions to have improper evidence thrown out and not presented to a jury
- Negotiating a plea deal with the prosecution to have your charges reduced or dropped
- Taking your case to court and presenting your defense to a jury
Going through criminal proceedings in Erie County, OH, can be difficult, but you do not have to do it alone. The team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers will be here to help you every step of the way. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation with an Erie County criminal defense attorney and let us put our experience to work for you.
Overview of Criminal Defense in Ohio
Criminal defense in Ohio spans a potentially wide range of charges. Putting together a good defense requires a deep understanding of the law and how it applies to your specific situation. Some of the most common charges you may be facing in Erie County include:
DUI / OVI Charges
DUI charges are taken very seriously in Ohio. Arrests for this offense are usually based on an officer’s observations that you are operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both. The law in Ohio sets specific blood alcohol content limits for drivers, such as:
- 0.08% for most drivers
- 0.04% for commercial drivers (CDL drivers)
- 0.02% for drivers under 21
The repercussions of a DUI conviction can be harsh and long-lasting. If you are facing DUI charges, you need an experienced lawyer who knows the ins and outs of these types of cases.
Drug Charges
Drug offenses are one of the most common types of criminal offenses that occur in Ohio. There are many potential aspects to drug charges, including simple possession, distribution, trafficking, and manufacturing. The penalties for these crimes vary based on the specific activity involved as well as the drugs involved in the case. Additionally, your criminal history can play a role in the potential penalties for drug offenses.
Theft Crimes
Taking or using someone else’s property unlawfully generally falls under one of the categories of theft crimes in Ohio. Theft crimes are fairly broad under Ohio law, and they can span anything from simple shoplifting to burglary. Vandalism and other property-related crimes are also related to the general category of theft and property crimes. The degree of a theft crime and the severity of the punishment usually depend on the value of the property that was taken.
Sexual Offenses
Rape, sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct are a few of the most common types of sexual offenses prosecuted under Ohio law. There are several factors that must be considered when determining the appropriate charge, and the age of the victim plays a large role in this determination.
Sexual crimes against children or young victims carry harsher charges and penalties. Similarly, sexual crimes committed with a weapon or by other means of force also carry more severe penalties.
Assault and Other Violent Crimes
Assault crimes are fairly common, and these crimes are committed when someone physically harms another person or threatens to physically harm them. Most basic assault charges carry a first-degree misdemeanor charge. However, those charges can increase to a felony if serious harm is inflicted or if a weapon is involved.
Likewise, an assault against a public servant may be prosecuted as a felony. This may include assaults against police officers, emergency healthcare workers, or correctional facility staff.
What Are the Penalties for Criminal Convictions in Erie County?
If you are convicted of a crime in Erie County, you may face a variety of penalties. Some of the most common are:
Fines
Fines are financial penalties imposed on defendants convicted of certain crimes. The amount of the fine can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the nature and severity of the crime. Subsequent convictions can result in even higher fines. Monetary fines serve as punishment for a defendant’s behavior as well as a deterrent to committing a similar crime in the future.
Probation
Probation is sometimes used instead of jail time, although it may be used in conjunction with jail time in some cases. Probation requires a convicted defendant to stay under the supervision of the criminal justice system for a certain period of time. Any subsequent offenses committed during the probation period may carry harsher penalties than normal.
Jail Time
One of the most common penalties after a conviction is jail or prison time. Jail time is typically shorter and usually served locally in the city or county where you were convicted. Prison sentences, however, are usually much longer and are typically served in a state facility.
Misdemeanors usually result in jail time of less than one year. On the other hand, a felony conviction can result in a prison sentence of many years. In some cases, a convicted felon may even face life in prison.
What Defenses Can I Raise if I’m Arrested?
An experienced Erie County criminal defense lawyer can help you put together a proper defense to your charges. Challenging the state’s case and evidence is crucial to clearing your name and getting acquitted of your charges. Some of the most common defenses available are:
Self-Defense
One of the most common defenses in cases involving physical altercations is self-defense. If the alleged victim was actually the aggressor, you have a right to defend yourself using a reasonable amount of force. If you can produce witnesses or other evidence to prove that self-defense occurred, you may be able to obtain an acquittal.
Alibi
Alibis can be used to prove that there was no way you could have committed the crime you are being charged with. For instance, if you are being charged with robbery, but you can prove that you were at work on the other side of town when the robbery occurred, you have likely produced a strong alibi that can get you out of the charges.
Violation of Your Rights
You might be surprised to learn how often a defendant’s rights get violated by the police or the prosecution. The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from illegal searches and seizures, and any evidence obtained illegally may be thrown out. Perhaps you were arrested without a warrant or probable cause, or questioned without having been read your Miranda rights. An experienced lawyer can help you get illegal evidence dismissed, and this can truly weaken the prosecution’s case.
Insufficient Evidence
In some cases, the prosecution’s case against you may be so weak that you can argue there is not sufficient evidence to support the charges. Remember that in criminal cases, the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. It is difficult to meet this standard with weak or limited evidence, and you may be able to get a “not guilty” verdict using this strategy.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Erie County Criminal Defense Lawyers
If you have been charged with a crime in Erie County, Ohio, contact the experienced team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers today. We will get to work examining the specific charges against you and begin to put together your best defense strategy. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with an Erie County criminal defense lawyer who is ready to get started helping you.