Being accused of domestic violence in Port Clinton, Ohio, can be incredibly overwhelming, not to mention difficult to navigate legally. If you need help, you can trust Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers to fight to get your life back on track. You can reach us at (419) 871-3995.
Domestic violence typically requires physically harming a “family or household member” or threatening to do so. If you are accused of domestic violence in Ohio, you might face jail or prison time, hefty fines, and devastating collateral consequences.
Don’t take risks with your future. If you have been accused of domestic violence, contact our experienced team today to schedule a free consultation with a Port Clinton domestic violence lawyer. We’ll investigate your case and help you fight for the best possible outcome.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers To Help Me if I’ve Been Accused of Domestic Violence in Port Clinton?
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our team has more than 181 years of combined experience. We’ve secured countless positive resolutions for our criminal law clients, including dismissals and not-guilty verdicts.
Members of our team have been recognized by:
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 under 40
- The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Our firm has the experience, skill, and reputation you need in a domestic violence defense. If you’ve been accused, reach out today to schedule a consultation with a Port Clinton domestic violence attorney. Your first meeting is free.
Overview of Domestic Violence in Ohio
Generally, domestic violence includes misdemeanor and felony crimes of violence committed against a family or household member. In Ohio, domestic violence is defined as:
- Knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to a family or household member,
- Recklessly causing serious physical harm to a family or household member, or,
- Knowingly causing a family or household member to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm by threat of force.
Domestic violence charges in Ohio are serious. Under this statute, you don’t even need to make physical contact with the victim to be accused of domestic violence; the threat of imminent physical harm is enough.
Family or Household Member Defined
Under Ohio law, a “family or household member” means:
- A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the offender,
- A parent or child of the offender’s spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse, or another person related by blood or marriage to the offender’s spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse, or,
- The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is the other natural parent or is the putative other natural parent.
While these designations might seem confusing, almost anyone related to you or who has lived in your household may be included.
What Are the Legal Penalties for Domestic Violence in Port Clinton, Ohio?
Penalties for domestic violence differ based on the circumstances of your case, perhaps most notably your past criminal record. Domestic violence can be charged as a fourth-degree misdemeanor all the way up to a felony of the third degree.
If you are charged with domestic violence, you could face:
- Jail or prison time: You could receive a sentence ranging from 30 days in jail (fourth-degree misdemeanor) to sixty months in prison (third-degree felony).
- Fines: You could be required to pay a fee ranging from $250 (fourth-degree misdemeanor) to $10,000 (third-degree felony).
When you hire Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we’ll fight to have your charges reduced or even dropped.
Collateral Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges in Ohio
If you are charged with domestic violence, you might also face collateral consequences, such as:
- Difficulty securing employment: Many employers run background checks, and a domestic violence charge can make them think twice, even if you weren’t convicted.
- Difficulty finding housing: Landlords often screen for criminal records, and violent offenses tend to raise red flags.
- Loss of firearm rights: Federal law prohibits firearm possession after certain domestic violence convictions, and some state laws are even stricter.
- Impacts on child custody or visitation: Judges take family violence seriously. A charge like this might limit your ability to get custody or even see your child without supervision.
- Licence revocation: If you work in a field that requires a license, like healthcare, education, or law, a conviction might put your credentials in jeopardy.
- Deportment risks: If you’re not a U.S. citizen, a domestic violence charge might lead to deportation or problems renewing your visa or green card.
To learn more about what penalties you might be facing and how we can help you, reach out to Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers as soon as possible.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Domestic Violence?
If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, the situation isn’t hopeless. An experienced legal team can help you fight for the best possible outcome. Possible defenses to domestic violence we could raise include:
- False accusation: If someone falsely accuses you of domestic violence, we can look for inconsistencies in their statements and call your accuser into question.
- Self-defense: Proving that someone else was the aggressor and you were only defending yourself is a possible valid defense to domestic violence accusations.
- Consent: If the accuser originally consented to the encounter, this could be used as a defense. We’ll gather evidence to prove consent to the action that resulted in injury or fear of injury.
- Lack of intent: A key element of domestic violence involves “knowingly” or “recklessly” causing harm or fear of harm. If we can prove you did not intend to do so, you may have a strong defense against domestic violence charges in Ohio.
- Lack of evidence: In a domestic violence case, the prosecutor must prove their case “beyond a reasonable doubt.” If there isn’t enough evidence against you, we may be able to get your charges reduced or even dropped.
Schedule a time to speak with us and discuss your case and any possible defenses as soon as you are able.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Accused of Domestic Violence
If you’re facing domestic violence charges in Port Clinton, Ohio, Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is confident our team can help. When you trust us with your case, we’ll:
- Investigate your case thoroughly
- Formulate a personalized case strategy
- Keep you updated and informed throughout the proceedings
- Negotiate with the prosecution on your behalf
- Apply any applicable defenses
- Fight to get your charges reduced or dropped
To get started and protect your future, contact us today. We offer a free consultation, so there’s nothing to lose in reaching out.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, you need experienced legal counsel on your side. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has nearly two centuries of combined experience fighting for the rights of the accused. We’re ready to put our experience, connections, and skills to work for you.
When you trust our Port Clinton criminal defense attorneys, we’ll investigate your case, formulate a case strategy, determine whether defenses may apply, and fight to get your case dismissed or charges reduced.
Our team is ready to stand by you and fight for the best possible outcome if you find yourself in legal trouble in Port Clinton, Ohio. We offer a free consultation with a Port Clinton domestic violence lawyer, so don’t hesitate to reach out as soon as possible.