From a punishment standpoint, felonies are the most serious criminal charges. In Ohio, a person charged with a felony can face from 6 months up to life in prison and many thousands of dollars in fines, depending on the crime. Moreover, Ohio employs the death penalty. Not all lawyers are equipped to handle all cases. Paul thoroughly reviews every case and will give you an honest assessment, based on the information he is given.
Do not wait to hire an attorney for a felony case. An effective attorney, in some cases, can begin to produce results even before Arraignment. Whether you face Felony Non-Support of Dependents or Aggravated Robbery, you should consult a quality criminal defense attorney as soon as possible - preferably as soon as you think you MIGHT be charged. Giving your lawyer more time to work will not guarantee better results, but it will never make matters worse.
Although the ultimate punishment is not as severe, misdemeanors should be treated as seriously as felonies. First, conviction of a misdemeanor can lead to up to 6 months in a State jail. Second, fines can be as high as $1,000. Third, and for many people, most importantly, certain misdemeanor convictions preclude you from ever again owning or possessing a firearm and others require lengthy Driver’s License suspensions. As with a felony, you should not wait to hire an attorney if you have been or expect to be charged with a misdemeanor.
DUI and Traffic cases are not much different than other felonies or misdemeanors. Although most driving offenses result in only fines and court costs, some carry much more serious penalties. DUI, for instance, can be charged at the felony level. The same rules that apply to felonies and misdemeanors apply to DUI and traffic cases. Contact an experienced attorney with whom you are comfortable as soon as you are charged or expect to be charged and relay the facts as you know them completely and truthfully.
Most people released from a term of imprisonment can find themselves under the supervision of the Ohio Parole Authority or a local Community Control or Probation Department. If you violate the conditions of that supervision, you may face a hearing that could lead to more prison time. As soon as you suspect that your supervision might be revoked, contact an attorney to discuss the matter and any ways in which you might be able to minimize the damage. The felony/misdemeanor rule applies here as well; the sooner you contact an attorney, the better.
Criminal matters are always serious and you should speak to a lawyer immediately. Attorney Paul Redrup is happy to provide a free one-time consultation for any criminal case. Simply call 419.464.1225 or contact Paul Redrup and fill out the response form.