» Athens Criminal Defense Lawyer » Athens, OH Assault Lawyer » Athens Felony Assault Lawyer
Felony assault charges carry significant penalties, including potential imprisonment and a criminal record that can impact your future. I am an Athens felony assault lawyer who can help you understand these charges, protect your rights, and build a strong defense.
I can advise you on your rights, guide you through interactions with law enforcement, and ensure those rights are respected. It is vital that you work with an assault defense attorney who can explain the specific charges against you and the potential penalties, empowering you to make informed decisions at every stage of your case.
A single punch or merely threatening someone with a deadly weapon can lead to a charge of felonious assault. Felonious assault is much more serious than simple assault, and a conviction will have devastating consequences. You may face a long prison sentence in addition to financial and other consequences. I can help.
A comprehensive investigation, including witness interviews, evidence gathering, and analysis of police procedures, is essential for a successful defense. In some cases, early intervention strategies, such as negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges, can be beneficial. Felonious assault charges can lead to significant penalties, including prison time, fines, and a criminal record, so a strong defense from an Athens attorney is critical.
In Ohio, felony assault is defined under Ohio Revised Code § 2903.11. The offense involves knowingly causing serious physical harm to another person or an unborn child, or causing or attempting to cause physical harm with a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance. Ordnances include items like explosives, automatic or sawed-off firearms, and other military-style weapons.
Felony assault is generally a second-degree felony, but can be elevated to a first-degree felony if the alleged victim is a peace officer or an investigator from the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, and if the victim suffers serious physical harm. Felony assault carries much harsher penalties than simple assault, as defined under Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.13, which is typically classified as a first-degree misdemeanor.
Felony assault charged as a second-degree felony can be punishable by up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. First-degree felonies can result in up to 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
If you are facing felonious assault charges, do not wait to seek the help of an Athens attorney. I can explore the potential legal defenses at your disposal, such as self-defense, lack of intent, or challenging the prosecution’s evidence. I can fight for the best possible outcome, whether it is a dismissal of charges, a not guilty verdict, or a reduced sentence.
I have helped many clients facing charges of felonious assault in my 25-year career. Often, charges of felonious assault depend upon the nature and extent of the physical injuries a person received. My background as an Athens felony assault lawyer litigating complex medical cases such as shaken baby syndrome (SBS) and my experience with forensic pathology in murder cases allow me to assess the true nature of the injuries. When you work with me, you can be sure that I will devote my attention to your case and fight relentlessly for you. I represent clients throughout Ohio, and I focus on helping Ohio University students charged with crimes from my office in Athens.
The successful defense against felonious assault charges begins with a thorough investigation of your case. Witnesses need to be interviewed, physical evidence needs to be examined and law enforcement’s investigation needs to be scrutinized in order to effectively tell your side of the story. I recognize and take seriously the fact that the rest of your life is at stake.
Preparing your defense may also involve investigating and challenging the forensic evidence in your case. I am uniquely qualified in DNA evidence and have experience in other forensic issues such as fingerprints, ballistics, crime scene investigation, eyewitness identification and more. When appropriate to the case, I work with experts who can assist with such issues. Providing expert analysis of evidence may demonstrate an alternate theory of the crime or prove your innocence. Call today.
Client was accused of forcing his way into a house. Ultimately, I was able to demonstrate that the alleged victim was lying in an effort to cover up her illegal activity.
Neighbor called police as a result of hearing arguing. The wife was “pressured” into pursuing charges by the officer, and as a result, the case was dismissed.
Son (Client) was in town visiting his mother and her boyfriend. After dinner Client’s mother and her boyfriend began to argue. The Client got involved and tried to diffuse the argument, but this only irritated the boyfriend. The boyfriend was asked to leave and reluctantly did so. However, once on the porch, the Boyfriend began to yell and make threats. The Client (son) went outside to tell him to leave the porch and go home. At that point, the boyfriend turned and began to aggressively move toward the Client. The client discharged his handgun multiple times, hitting the boyfriend three times. Client was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder and Felonious Assault. In working with the Client and witnesses, Andrew was able to recreate the events and demonstrate the that Client was acting in self-defense. The prosecutor dismissed the charges prior to trial.
Client and best friend returned home from a night of drinking and began to play “fake Russian Roulette.” Unfortunately, Client was unaware that the handgun was actually loaded and he shot his best friend in the head. Miraculously, the victim survived. Client was a graduate student who had a bright future ahead of him. After extensive negotiations, Andrew was able to secure the Client diversion, providing him with the opportunity to have a successful and rewarding future.
Client and girlfriend were driving an ATV on country roads when a man (who was an off-duty officer) appeared on the road and held up his hand instructing them to stop. The Client and his girlfriend were told to exit the ATV. Unsure exactly who had stopped them or why, the Client exited the vehicle. At that point, his girlfriend became agitated and combative and got into a verbal argument with the off-duty officer. The client intervened and got into a scuffle that resulted in both falling into barbed wire. The officer was seriously injured. The client was charged with 1st-degree Felonious Assault on a police officer. The client was facing a mandatory 5 years and the loss of his professional license. In the end, the case was resolved as a misdemeanor and the client retained his license.
Client was accused of a felony assault against a law enforcement officer in Athens County. Attorney Andrew Stevenson managed to secure a diversion, allowing his client to avoid a prison sentence.
Client was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and assault, facing extended jail time and a significant fine. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated with the prosecutors office to enroll his client into a diversion program, avoiding that sentence.
Client was charged with both disorderly conduct and assault, facing serious jail time and possibly a fine. Thanks to Attorney Andrew Stevenson, their case was fully dismissed with no sentence dispensed.
Client was charged with Domestic Violence and Assault, both first-degree misdemeanors carrying up to 180 days in jail and, for the DV charge, a lifetime federal firearms prohibition. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated a resolution that reduced the charges to a fourth-degree misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, eliminating the firearms ban and making the conviction eligible for sealing.
A client was charged with Criminal Damaging, a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail. Attorney Andrew Stevenson negotiated with the prosecution and the charge was amended to Disorderly Conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a maximum of 30 days in jail.
The client came to the firm charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, facing up to 180 days in jail and the lasting consequences of a domestic violence conviction. Andrew Stevenson got the charge dismissed, but as part of the resolution the client’s firearms were forfeited.
Client was charged with a misdemeanor assault. If convicted, they could face up to 90 days in jail, as well as a $750 fine. Attorney Andrew Stevenson was able to negotiate this charge down to attempted assault.
The client came to the firm facing multiple assault charges and a count of resisting arrest, exposure of up to 6 years in prison. Andrew Stevenson secured a resolution through diversion, keeping the client out of prison and avoiding a felony conviction.
Client came to the firm facing aggravated riot and vandalism charges as well as the felony prison exposure that comes with them. Attorney Andrew Stevenson secured a resolution of six months on each count, served concurrently, holding the client’s total time to six months.
The client came to the firm facing a domestic violence charge, the prospect of incarceration and a permanent record. Attorney Andrew Stevenson was able to advocate for the client, and get the charge dismissed.
Client was charged with both disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, carrying a combined potential of up to 120 days in jail and $1,000 in fines. Attorney Andrew Stevenson got the disorderly conduct charge dismissed, leaving only the resisting arrest only facing up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
Client came to the firm charged with first-degree felony assault on a police officer, a fourth-degree felony assault, and resisting arrest, facing up to roughly 18 years in prison, with the first-degree count carrying mandatory prison time. Attorney Andrew Stevenson got the felony assault on the officer dismissed and the second felony knocked down to a misdemeanor. The client would plead to misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest, avoiding a felony conviction.
An aggravated menacing charge brought the client up to 180 days of potential jail time and a first-degree misdemeanor on the record. Attorney Andrew Stevenson reduced the charge to a minor misdemeanor, closing the case through bond forfeiture.
Four misdemeanor charges (domestic violence, assault, attempted strangulation, and unlawful restraint) put the client at exposure of roughly 20 months in jail across the stack, plus the federal lifetime firearm prohibition that a domestic violence conviction triggers. AttorneyAndrew Stevenson secured a dismissal of every charge.
Two M1 charges, domestic violence and assault, left the client facing up to a year in jail combined and the lifetime federal firearm ban that flows from a DV conviction. Attorney Andrew Stevenson got both charges dismissed, with no conviction on either count.
With three prior convictions on record, Attorney Andrew Stevenson’s client faced four counts of misdemeanor assault. The four first-degree misdemeanor counts together carried a potential sentence of up to 720 days in jail and $4,000 in fines. Stevenson negotiated a guilty plea with a sentence of 30 days in jail.
Attorney Andrew Stevenson’s client was charged with one count of open container and three counts of persistent disorderly conduct, carrying a combined potential of up to 90 days in jail and $900 in fines. Stevenson got the open container charge and two of the disorderly conduct counts dismissed. The remaining count of persistent disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, carries up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.