Ohio Violent Crime Lawyer

Being charged with a violent crime in Ohio can carry serious consequences for your freedom and your future. The government wants to be seen as “tough on crime,” especially violent offenses. But situations that give rise to charges are usually complicated. If you have been charged with assault, domestic violence, homicide, or another violent crime, it’s important to take control of the narrative quickly.

It’s hard to do that without the help of a seasoned violent crime lawyer. You can trust that the government is marshaling its vast resources with one goal: portraying you as a criminal and convicting you of the charges against you. Wes Buchanan knows the truth isn’t that simple, and that one decision shouldn’t define your future. He knows how to bring the truth to light and fight back against the picture the prosecution is trying to paint.

At Wesley Buchanan, Esq., we understand what is at stake for you when you have been accused of a violent crime. The earlier you call on us, the sooner we can get started protecting your rights, and identifying the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. Contact Wes to learn how we can help you.

Types of Violent Felonies and Misdemeanors in Ohio

In Ohio, some violent crimes are charged as misdemeanors, but most are charged as felonies. Misdemeanors may be punished with jail time of up to six months and fines, but they can follow you around long after a sentence is completed, affecting your employment, professional licenses, access to housing, and firearm rights.

Felonies are even more serious, exposing you to the possibility of incarceration in state prison, post-release control, and thousands of dollars in fines. You could lose your firearm rights permanently, and collateral consequences include inability to work in certain jobs or careers; suspension or revocation of professional licenses; limitations on your access to housing or government benefits; and negative impacts on your immigration status, if applicable, and custody of your children. Your reputation and relationships could be permanently damaged.

Our firm represents clients in the wide range of Ohio violent crime charges, including:

• Assault
• Felonious Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Menacing
• Aggravated Menacing
• Kidnapping
• Abduction
• Robbery
• Aggravated Robbery
• Burglary
• Voluntary Manslaughter
• Involuntary Manslaughter
• Negligent Homicide
• Murder
• Aggravated Murder

A misdemeanor conviction can seriously disrupt your life; a felony can change it forever. We know that what you’re facing feels overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. We will keep you informed and advise you throughout your case. We won’t sugarcoat the facts, but we will develop a strategic plan to deal with them. Then we’ll fight for you every step of the way, because we know the system well and we understand what’s on the line.

Aggravating Factors in Ohio Violent Crime Charging and Sentencing

The facts of your case can make the difference between a serious charge and a lesser one, or between a conviction and an acquittal.

Some of the factors that commonly increase the severity of a charge include:

• Serious physical harm, which can bump a misdemeanor to a felony, or a lower-level felony to a higher level
• Number of victims, which can lead to additional counts or a higher-degree charge
• Use or display of a deadly weapon, which elevates the degree of an offense and may add firearm specifications
• Possessing, displaying, brandishing or discharging a gun during a crime (firearm specification), which can add mandatory consecutive prison time
• Victim is a protected person such as a peace officer or corrections officer, which automatically increases the degree of the charge
• Victim is a child or elderly person, which increases the degree of the charge and creates enhanced sentencing exposure
• Family or household relationship, which converts an assault charge to domestic violence and enables felony escalation
• Prior conviction of similar offenses, which can bump a misdemeanor to a felony, or a lower-level felony to a higher level
• The charged offense happened during another crime, which elevates charges
• Mental state; committing a crime intentionally or knowingly is more serious than acting negligently or recklessly.
• Committing an offense in a school zone, detention facility, or occupied structure can elevate the degree of the offense or trigger mandatory penalties

A knowledgeable violent crimes lawyer can challenge evidence so that only legally admissible facts are considered, and improper or unreliable evidence is excluded. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side from the start.

How a Violent Crime Lawyer Helps

At Wesley Buchanan, Esq., our focus is on protecting your rights and your future, standing up against the government machine that doesn’t see you, just the allegations against you. Wes Buchanan has devoted his entire legal career to criminal defense, and he knows how to identify and exploit weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

His focused experience means that Wes is able to realistically assess cases and strategize for them. If negotiating a deal is the best option to protect what matters to you, Wes is skilled at working with other players in your case to achieve the best possible result for you.

But he’s also a fighter at heart, an experienced litigator who loves being in the courtroom and knows how to argue the law. He will never shy away from a trial if that’s what it takes to protect your rights and interests.

Work with an Experienced Ohio Violent Crime Lawyer

Your choice of criminal defense attorney can shape your entire case and its outcome. Contact Wes to get the guidance you need and an attorney who knows how to fight for your future.