Domestic violence charges are serious. A conviction can dramatically affect your daily life and your future. The court system is not infallible, and sometimes, justice is not served. Judges and juries may have good intentions, but sometimes personal biases or procedural errors result in a defendant losing the chance at a fair trial. If you are facing domestic violence charges in Mentor, hire a Mentor domestic violence defense lawyer you can trust to represent you in court.
The seasoned attorneys at Lallo & Feldman, Co. are dedicated to fighting for Mentor residents when they need it most. Our legal team has been advocating for our clients facing criminal charges since 1979, including those for domestic violence charges. We understand all that is at stake and know what kind of support you need during this time.
In the state of Ohio, domestic violence is legally defined as physically harming or attempting to harm a family member or a person living in your household. It is also considered domestic violence if you seriously hurt a family member or household member by accident because you were behaving recklessly.
Domestic violence charges can also be filed in response to threats of physical harm. Section 2919.25 of Ohio law states that it is domestic violence to cause a family member or a person in your household to believe that you represent an imminent threat to their physical safety.
Domestic violence is a prevalent issue in the United States and in Mentor, Ohio. In 2024, Lake County alone reported just under 400 incidents of domestic violence. The total number of incidents reported in Ohio was nearly 29,000.
If you are convicted of domestic violence charges, the consequences depend on the circumstances of the case and whether this is your first conviction. For simple domestic violence in Ohio, the first conviction is a misdemeanor and can come with a large fine and a short jail sentence.
For subsequent convictions, penalties become more severe. If you are convicted of domestic violence for a second time or more, it becomes a felony, which carries significantly heavier penalties.
Fines and jail time aren’t the only possible consequences. A judge may also impose probation or mandate therapy, counseling, or anger management courses. It is also possible that sentences may be more severe if the domestic violence charges are accompanied by other charges, such as felonious assault, child abuse, or unlawful possession of a firearm.
In the United States, you have the right to represent yourself in court. However, if you are facing domestic violence charges, the first thing you should do is hire a domestic violence defense lawyer. An experienced Mentor domestic violence defense attorney can help you build a solid defense and understand the potential outcomes of your case.
The legal system is designed to be as fair as possible, but people are not perfect, and sometimes bias makes its way into legal proceedings. Hiring an attorney is the optimal way to make sure that your side of the story is heard and considered, and justice is served.
Yes, a first domestic violence offense can result in a felony charge in certain cases. If a person commits domestic violence against someone they know to be pregnant, the offense is automatically charged as a felony in the state of Ohio. Sometimes, the severity of the violence results in a felony charge, as well. For example, a domestic violence incident might be charged as a felony if the violence itself would be considered a felonious assault.
There are several factors that can result in a domestic violence case being dismissed. If there is not sufficient evidence against the defendant, the case can be thrown out. Cases can also be dismissed because of errors committed during legal proceedings or if any part of the proceedings has violated the defendant’s constitutional rights. Finally, a case may be dismissed if the defendant has a legitimate self-defense argument.
The ideal defense for domestic violence charges depends on the circumstances of the case. If the prosecution cannot bring sufficient evidence to support the charges, the defense can be built around that lack of evidence. Another way to build a solid defense is to prove that the defendant feared for their own personal safety and acted in self-defense.
The cost of a criminal defense lawyer in Ohio can vary. Many criminal defense lawyers charge an hourly rate or a flat fee. Criminal defense lawyers sometimes charge a retainer fee to initiate their services, which the attorney then draws from as they perform the work. The cost of a lawyer often depends on their experience and location as well. Cases that proceed to litigation will likely cost more than those settled in negotiations.
If you are facing domestic violence charges, your future may feel uncertain. The legal system is complicated, and sometimes defendants are not treated fairly in court. At Lallo & Feldman Co., we see each of our clients as an individual, not a statistic. We know that you are a human being with a story. Everyone has a unique background and faces specific pressures and demands from life and the challenges it brings.
We bring over four decades of experience and extensive knowledge of domestic violence defense laws. Our attorneys are very familiar with representing clients in the Mentor Municipal Court and the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, and we stand ready to help you navigate this time in your life. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case and find out how we can assist you.
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