Domestic Violence Attorney in Cleveland, Ohio
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ToggleWhen someone is accused of domestic violence or assault, he or she is almost always arrested. While this is sometimes appropriate, it can also result in unnecessary burdens on a family. If your loved one is being held in jail, contact our Willoughby domestic violence lawyer to find out what his or her options are.
Call the law office of Lallo & Feldman in Lake County or Cleveland at (440) 953-0362 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Our attorneys can represent you or your family member in a domestic violence or assault charge.
An assault or domestic violence conviction can result in serious penalties, such as protection orders, fines and permanent loss of your rights. Our attorneys know what you are facing and how to effectively defend you. We will work to show your side of the case and to have your charges dismissed or reduced.
Multiple assault or domestic violence convictions can turn into felonies, so it is important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. We will explore strategies to avoid a felony charge, such as anger management and counseling programs.
Many times, restraining orders (often called protection orders) result from domestic violence incidents. Though these orders are put into place to protect a victim of domestic violence, many family members are wrongly accused and subjected to inconvenient protection orders. At the law office of Lallo & Feldman, we will work to preserve your rights and keep you in your house following a domestic violence charge.
Among other remedies, we may be able to get you into various diversion programs for help with this very serious matter.
Domestic violence charges often result from domestic disturbance calls. Heated arguments that spiral out of control often unfold behind closed doors in neighborhoods like Downtown Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, and Lost Nation. Once the police show up, they often make an arrest, leaving defendants facing serious charges and an uncertain future.
According to the 2023 Ohio Domestic Violence Report, the Willoughby Police Department recorded 35 domestic violence incidents, including two that resulted in DVI (domestic violence injury) charges and 44 labeled as “no charge” cases. Statewide, Ohio documented 28,566 violent crimes in 2022. The violent crime rate in Willoughby is around 1.789 per 1,000 residents in a typical year.
The right legal defense strategy can help you beat your domestic violence charge or at least greatly reduce the penalties that you potentially face. Domestic violence charges are a unique class of violent crime because the victim intimately knows the suspect.
Relationships can be messy and lead to regrettable decisions on both sides. If you and your spouse or former partner have a history of heated disputes, that can cast doubt on your criminal intent and potentially lead to reduced or dropped charges. Any evidence showing that the harmful verbal or physical acts were mutual could also help your case.
Domestic violence charges are more prone to false or exaggerated accusations than other crimes. If two parents are in a custody dispute or going through a divorce, one party may seek to leverage criminal charges to harm the other’s reputation and gain an advantage in family court. Self-defense is another potential defense strategy that your attorney can explore.
A conviction for a first-time domestic violence charge would leave you guilty of committing a misdemeanor in the first degree. Anyone convicted of committing domestic violence multiple times or with aggravating factors can face a felony on their record.
Beyond the potential for confinement in jail or prison and paying heavy fines, a conviction could also lead to long-term harm to your reputation. A conviction could create barriers to finding future housing and job opportunities. Few crimes carry the stigma of domestic violence, which is why fighting the charges upfront is crucial.
If you are facing domestic violence charges, your top priority should be to hire a domestic violence lawyer. With representation from a Willoughby domestic violence attorney, you can fight your charges by relying on your lawyer’s years of experience handling complex domestic violence cases.
Ohio’s domestic violence laws carry harsh penalties for anyone convicted of committing domestic violence, but those same laws also detail the elements of the crime that prosecutors must prove. Your attorney can focus on making sure that prosecutors never reach their burden of proof.
By scrutinizing the evidence and finding weaknesses or inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, your lawyer can seek to have your charges reduced or dropped. Lawyers are skilled negotiators who can work to resolve your case on favorable terms. If needed, your lawyer can take the case to trial for a judge or jury to decide the outcome of your case.
A: Yes. Defendants facing domestic violence charges may have been falsely accused. Unfortunately, the wheels of justice can turn slowly once someone is arrested. With strong legal representation, you can fight your charges and protect your reputation. If you were falsely accused, your attorney can formulate a strategy based on that fact. Gathering new evidence that questions the credibility of the victim can support your case.
A: Lawyers charge hourly or flat rates based on their years of experience and reputation. An attorney who has practiced law for several years or decades would generally charge more for their services than a lawyer with fewer years of experience. While legal fees are never insignificant, many defendants see the cost of legal representation as an investment in their future.
A: Domestic violence covers acts of harm perpetrated against family or household members. The laws also cover romantic partners, whether they are married or not. Conduct ranging from physical assault to threats or intimidation that cause fear of harm can qualify as domestic violence. The criminal laws heavily penalize acts of violence against intimate partners, and a conviction can lead to life-altering consequences for defendants.
A: Domestic violence cases are dismissed more often than other types of crimes for a few reasons. The victim may stop cooperating with prosecutors. In other cases, prosecutors may learn that the victim is not as credible as they thought. Romantic relationships can be messy, and the criminal justice system does not always need to intervene when couples argue. Legal representation can play a key role in how your case plays out.
A: Prosecutors need evidence that the defendant caused harm to a family or household member. Photographs of bruises and medical records can provide grounds for prosecuting a case and seeking a conviction. The defense can also gather evidence to support its position. The defendant’s own testimony and witness testimony can cast doubt on the prosecution’s narrative of events and position the defendant for a favorable outcome in court.
A criminal charge in Willoughby has the potential to upend your life and threaten your freedom and reputation. Protecting your future requires having a defense team that knows how to challenge evidence and protect your rights in local courts.
Since 1979, Lallo & Feldman Co. has defended individuals in Willoughby and throughout Lake County with a focus on trust, loyalty, and hard work. We are committed to building a defense strategy that reflects the unique circumstances of your case. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and gain representation from a firm dedicated to safeguarding your future.
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