With two offices in Southeast Ohio and more than 25 years of experience, Andrew H. Stevenson provides premier criminal defense for residents in Fairfield, Hocking, Meigs, and Athens counties.
Life comes to a halt when you’ve been charged with a crime. As a Nationally Recognized Top Defense Attorney, Andrew H. Stevenson understands that accusations of criminal misconduct, such as assault, sex crimes, or DUIs, can be stressful and traumatic. When your future is on the line, you need a defense attorney who understands the local legal system and has experience navigating the process.
Andrew has an office in Lancaster and one in Athens, allowing him to provide coverage across the southern part of Ohio, and giving you access to a dedicated criminal defense attorney who understands that your charges can have lifelong consequences. He’s ready to fight for you.
Athens & Meigs Counties
We defend clients in Athens and Meigs counties from our Athens, OH office, helping people living in:
- Albany
- Amesville
- Athens
- Chauncey
- Coolville
- Glouster
- Hockingport
- Jacksonville
- Middleport
- Millfield
- Nelsonville
- New Marshfield
- Pomeroy
- Racine
- Rutland
- Shade
- Stewart
- Syracuse
- The Plains
- Trimble
- Tuppers Plains
Fairfield & Hocking Counties
We serve clients in Fairfield and Hocking counties from our Lancaster office, located across from the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court. We help clients living near:
- Lancaster
- Amanda
- Baltimore
- Bremen
- Carbon Hill
- Carroll
- Fairfield Beach
- Laurelville
- Logan
- Millersport
- Murray City
- Pleasantville
- Rockbridge
- Rushville
- Stoutsville
- Sugar Grove
- Thurston
- West Logan
- West Rushville
Find Our Offices
Attorney Andrew H. Stevenson has two offices where he meets with his clients, either for consultations or other important meetings.
His Athens office is located Uptown, at 14 N Court St, Ste 302. You can find his Lancaster office at 301 E Main St.
Local Courts
When you’re criminally charged, your case will be seen by a judge in the county where the alleged crime took place. For our service area, we take cases in different courts according to the level of crimes. If you’re facing felony charges, your case will be heard in the respective county’s common pleas court. Misdemeanor charges are heard in municipal courts. Some rural areas may have a different court structure, but Attorney Stevenson is prepared to represent you wherever your case is heard.
Athens County Courts
Athens County Common Pleas Court
1 S Court St
3rd Floor
Athens, OH 45701
Athens County Municipal Court
8 E Washington St. St #201
Athens, OH 45701
Fairfield County Courts
Fairfield County Common Pleas Court
224 E Main St
Lancaster, OH 43130
Fairfield County Municipal Court
136 W Main St
Lancaster, OH 43130
Meigs County Court
Meigs County Court
100 E Second St, Room 304
Pomeroy, OH 45769
Hocking County Courts
Hocking County Common Pleas Court
1 E Main St, #305
Logan, OH 43138
Hocking Municipal Court
105 W Hunter St
Logan, OH 43138
FAQs About Courts & Criminal Defense
How is it determined which court an Ohio criminal case will be heard?
In Ohio, the court that hears a case depends on the severity of the charge (felony vs. misdemeanor) and where the alleged offense occurred.
- Mayor’s Courts: Operating in some smaller Ohio villages and cities, these courts handle local ordinance violations and traffic infractions (minor misdemeanors). They are not courts of record.
- Municipal and County Courts: These courts handle traffic offenses and misdemeanor crimes (punishable by up to 180 days in jail). They also handle the very early stages of felony cases, such as initial appearances and preliminary hearings.
- Courts of Common Pleas (General Division): Every one of Ohio’s 88 counties has a Court of Common Pleas. This court has exclusive jurisdiction over all felony cases (serious crimes carrying prison sentences of six months to life).
- Juvenile Courts: If the accused is under 18 years old, the case is typically handled in the Juvenile Division of the Court of Common Pleas.
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Ohio?
The primary differences involve the severity of the offense, potential penalties, and where time is served:
- Misdemeanors: Less severe offenses divided into five degrees (plus minor misdemeanors). Penalties range from fines only up to a maximum of 180 days in a local jail.
- Felonies: Serious offenses divided into five degrees (plus unclassified felonies like murder). Penalties range from 6 months in prison to life imprisonment. Convicted felons serve their sentences in state prisons rather than local county jails.
The police didn’t read me my rights. Will my case be dismissed?
Common Misconception: Officers are only required to read your Miranda rights (“You have the right to remain silent…”) if you are in custody (not free to leave) AND being interrogated (questioned about the crime).
If police fail to read your rights under those specific conditions, the case is not automatically dropped. Instead, your attorney can file a motion to suppress, meaning any statements you made during that interrogation cannot be used against you. If the prosecutor’s case relies entirely on your confession, it might lead to a dismissal, but independent evidence (like video or witness testimony) remains admissible.
Should I talk to the police if I am being investigated or suspected of a crime?
No. You should politely but firmly decline to answer questions until you have an attorney present. It is a myth that cooperating makes an innocent person “look innocent.” Investigators gather evidence to build a case, and innocent statements can easily be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Simply state: “I am invoking my right to remain silent, and I want to speak with a lawyer.”
What happens at an arraignment in Ohio?
An arraignment is your very first appearance before a judge or magistrate. Its primary purposes are to:
- Inform you of the formal criminal charges.
- Advise you of your constitutional rights.
- Allow you to enter an initial plea (typically “Not Guilty” at this stage).
- Set bond/bail conditions, which dictate whether you can leave jail while your case is pending and under what restrictions.
Am I automatically entitled to a jury trial for any charge in Ohio?
Not always. Under Ohio Revised Code § 2945.17, you have a right to a jury trial in a criminal matter unless the charge is a minor misdemeanor, or an offense where the potential penalty does not include jail time and the maximum fine is $1,000 or less. Minor traffic tickets or low-level infractions are instead decided by a judge in a “bench trial.”
Can I refuse a field sobriety test or a breathalyzer during an OVI (DUI) stop in Ohio?
Yes, but the consequences differ:
- Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs): Physical and cognitive tests (like walking a straight line or standing on one leg) are completely voluntary. You can politely refuse them, and your refusal cannot trigger an automatic license suspension.
- Chemical Tests (Breath, Blood, Urine): Under Ohio’s “implied consent” law, driving on Ohio roads means you consent to a chemical test if lawfully arrested for OVI. You can still refuse, but doing so triggers an immediate, automatic Administrative License Suspension (ALS) by the BMV, which is often longer than the suspension for failing the test.
What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a bench warrant?
- Arrest Warrant: Issued by a judge at the request of law enforcement or a prosecutor when there is probable cause to believe you committed a crime.
- Bench Warrant: Issued directly by a judge “from the bench” because you failed to comply with a court order—most commonly, failing to show up for a mandatory court date or violating probation conditions.
Can I just “make a deal” with the prosecutor on my own?
While you have the legal right to represent yourself, negotiating directly with a prosecutor is highly discouraged. Prosecutors represent the state, not you, and are under no obligation to look out for your best interests. A defense attorney understands the nuances of Ohio law, knows what mitigating factors to present, and can negotiate a much more favorable plea bargain or diversion program.
What is the difference between “sealing” and “expunging” a record in Ohio?
Ohio law distinguishes between these two options:
- Sealing a Record: The criminal record still exists legally, but it is filed away and made invisible to the general public, landlords, and most employers.
- Expungement: The record is completely destroyed and permanently erased from existence.
Ohio law allows many offenses to be eligible for sealing or expungement, though certain severe crimes (like OVI, domestic violence, and sex offenses) generally cannot be cleared.
What are “collateral consequences” of a criminal conviction?
Collateral consequences are the penalties and civil disabilities that automatically trigger because of a criminal conviction, completely separate from court-ordered jail time or fines. In Ohio, these can include:
- Loss of the right to possess firearms (especially for felony or domestic violence convictions).
- Suspension or revocation of professional licenses (nursing, teaching, real estate, etc.).
- Temporary loss of voting rights (only while actively incarcerated for a felony).
- Difficulty securing housing, employment, or student loans.
What is a “preliminary hearing” in an Ohio felony case?
If you are charged with a felony and your case begins in a municipal court, a preliminary hearing must be scheduled within a specific timeframe (usually 10 to 14 days depending on whether you are in jail). At this hearing, the prosecutor must present enough evidence to show probable cause that a felony was committed and that you committed it. If they succeed, the case is “bound over” to the county’s Court of Common Pleas.
However, if you are indicted by a grand jury prior to your scheduled preliminary hearing, the preliminary hearing is cancelled by operation of law. The reason is that the prosecutor established probable cause before the grand jury thereby eliminating the need to do so before a judge at the preliminary hearing.
What should I do if a loved one is arrested in Ohio?
- Do not discuss the facts of the case over the phone. Jail phone calls are recorded and routinely monitored by law enforcement and prosecutors.
- Find out which jail facility they are being held in and what their initial charges are.
- Secure financial resources for potential bail or bond.
- Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately so they can represent your loved one at their initial appearance and argue for a reasonable or personal recognizance (O.R.) bond.
Can I just represent myself to save money?
You have a constitutional right to represent yourself (pro se), but doing so carries immense risk. Ohio’s criminal procedures, rules of evidence, and sentencing guidelines are complex. Without formal training, you may miss critical legal defenses, fail to recognize illegally obtained evidence, or inadvertently waive your rights. Investing in skilled counsel is an investment in protecting your long-term freedom and future.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Now
When you’re facing criminal charges, you need legal representation that understands what is at stake and knows the criminal justice system where your charges are being heard. Attorney Andrew H. Stevenson is ready to hear your case and start building a defense. A criminal conviction can have lifelong effects, and we know that some cases result from misunderstandings. We make sure your side of the story is thoroughly represented.
Start your defense with our firm today. Call (740) 654-4998 or fill out an online form to get started.
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer Now
When you’re facing criminal charges, you need legal representation that understands what is at stake and knows the criminal justice system where your charges are being heard. Attorney Andrew H. Stevenson is ready to hear your case and start building a defense. A criminal conviction can have lifelong effects, and we know that some cases result from misunderstandings. We make sure your side of the story is thoroughly represented.
Start your defense with our firm today. Call (740) 654-4998 or fill out an online form to get started.
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