From watching movies and TV shows filled with courtroom drama, we’re conditioned to believe that eyewitness testimony is always the deciding factor in criminal cases. However, the validity of eyewitness testimony can actually be questionable and while it certainly does play a big role in a criminal trial, it’s essential to understand its limits and its potential risks.
In 2018, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill that shifted the burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors. This significant change means that prosecutors must now prove a charged individual did not act in self-defense.
Some people think that if they’re guilty of a crime, there’s no need for an attorney. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In 2021, more than 22,500 shoplifting charges were filed in the state of Ohio. And as a result, retail theft has led store owners to raise their prices to recoup their losses and cover additional expenses for security measures. For certain, retailers want to see anyone they believe to have stolen from them be prosecuted for the crime.
State of mind is often used as a defense in a criminal charge. It is a legal construct that people should only be convicted of a criminal offense if they intentionally broke the law or did so by negligence or recklessness. This raises the question about a person’s mental health issues which could affect their judgment, intent, and comprehension of the law.
In Ohio, a person may be arrested and charged with domestic violence for inflicting physical harm or injury on a family or household member. A domestic violence allegation or conviction can result in severe penalties and long-term consequences for the defendant.
Under Ohio law, causing (or attempting to cause) physical harm to a family, household member, or intimate partner may contitute a domestic violence charge. Convictions for these charges can lead to life-altering consequences, including losing the right to own, carry, or possess a gun or firearm.
If you're at risk of a domestic violence conviction, you could be facing severe penalties and life-long ramifications to your personal reputation, quality of life, liberty, career, and future. A seasoned Ohio criminal defense attorney can educate you about the costly consequences of a domestic violence charge and help strategize a solid defense.
According to the Domestic Violence Report by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, there were 51,395 reported domestic violence offenders in 2021. In Ohio, an individual may be charged with domestic violence for threatening or causing physical harm to a family or household member. When facing domestic violence charges, hiring a skilled Ohio criminal defense attorney is imperative for proper guidance and to ensure that you do not end up in the worst possible situation.
In 2019, there were nearly 5,700 reported incidents rapes in Ohio according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. And, though all accusations of rape should be handled seriously and throughly investigated, those who stand accused of such crimes also deserve to have their rights and best interests protected. This can be especially important if you’ve been accused of rape by fraud.
