Violent crimes carry severe, life-altering sentences if you are convicted. Even beyond the fines and prison time, a criminal history showing a conviction for a violent crime will limit your opportunities long after you have completed your sentence.
When facing serious felony charges, contact my criminal defense practice for help. I am a Pickerington violent crimes lawyer with more than 25 years of experience helping people accused of serious crimes and I can represent you in your case as well.
Generally speaking, a violent crime involves force or the threat of force. Except for homicide, physical injury is not necessary for a crime to be considered violent. I defend Pickerington residents accused of the full range of violent crimes. I have a long record of success representing people accused of:
Any crime that involves a weapon is also considered a violent crime, even if the weapon was never used. A weapon need not be a gun or knife to rise to the level of a violent crime. Box cutters, screwdrivers, heavy objects, and even toy guns can elevate a charge to a violent crime, depending on the circumstances.
Most violent crimes are felonies. Sentences can be longer if you have a criminal history, the alleged victim is a child, police officer, or vulnerable person, if you were armed when the alleged crime happened, or the alleged victim suffered harm. I always approach a violent crime defense with the intention of obtaining a dismissal or acquittal, but also try to overcome any circumstances that might enhance a sentence upon conviction.
Simple or negligent assault is a misdemeanor, but other forms of assault are felonies. A person commits aggravated assault when they seriously harm someone or cause physical harm using a weapon, and the attack occurs when the assailant is experiencing sudden passion or rage. The crime is a 4th degree felony and the prison term is six to 18 months.
Ohio Revised Code § 2903.12 describes felonious assault as seriously harming someone or physically harming someone with a weapon. Felonious assault is a 2nd degree felony and the sentence is two to eight years in prison.
Some theft crimes are property crimes only, but aggravated burglary and robbery our violent crimes.
Aggravated burglary, Ohio Revised Code § 2911.11, is entering an occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime inside the structure and physically harming, or attempting to harm, one of the occupants. A person can also commit aggravated burglary by entering the structure while armed with a deadly weapon. The crime is a first-degree felony punishable by three to 11 years in prison.
Robbery is attempting to steal something while armed with a deadly weapon, or using physical force or threatening to use physical force to accomplish the theft. There are several degrees of robbery, and depending upon the charge for which you are convicted, jail sentences could range from a few months to several years.
Any crime that results in someone’s death is a homicide. Unintentional homicides are called manslaughter, while intentionally killing someone is murder. Involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide convictions can lead to lengthy prison sentences. Attempted murder can lead to a prison sentence of three to eleven years, while aggravated murder can lead to the death penalty.
My priority when developing a defense to a violent crime in Pickerington is a thorough investigation. I closely review the records of the law enforcement investigation and arrest, looking for inconsistencies and ensuring that they respected your rights. If there were violations, I can move to suppress evidence or ask that the charges be dismissed.
Physical evidence is critical in many violent crimes. I have special expertise in forensics, including DNA, fingerprints, and ballistics, among other types of physical evidence. I am uniquely qualified to successfully challenge the physical evidence the prosecutor presents when attempting to prove a case against you.
Depending on the case, I may use the services of a private investigator to ensure that every lead is followed up and potential items of exculpatory evidence are identified. I have a network of experts in various disciplines that I can call upon when they can help support your case.
Defeating violent crime charges requires help from a skilled and experienced defense attorney. You need a Pickerington violent crimes lawyer like me to give you the best possible chance of overcoming the prosecutor’s evidence.
I will use all my knowledge, training, resources, and experience to present the most effective defense available in your situation. There is a way out and I will work with you to achieve the best outcome, so reach out to me as soon as you are arrested on a violent crime charge.
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.