Columbus, Ohio Criminal Defense Practice Areas and
Legal Definitions

Ohio laws and procedures related to criminal defense are complicated and require a skilled lawyer to properly navigate through the process. The Columbus criminal defense attorneys of Heckert & Associates, Co., L.P.A. fight for the rights of alleged offenders in Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding Ohio cities and counties within the following areas:

Ohio Misdemeanors:

Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.

Ohio Juvenile Court:

Juvenile law is the area of law that deals with criminal acts alleged to be committed by juveniles - persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts, which in most states involves children under the age of eighteen. The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, juveniles can be transferred into adult court if the juvenile court waives or relinquishes its jurisdiction.

Juvenile crime is called an act of "delinquency" and requires court intervention to correct the delinquency. Juvenile courts have their own special rules and procedures. If a child or teenager is found guilty of a juvenile law crime, he or she may be sent to a reform school or another public institution, placed in a foster home or returned to the parents and placed on probation or house arrest. If your son or daughter has been arrested or charged with an offense in juvenile court, call the Columbus, Ohio juvenile defense attorneys of Heckert & Associates, Co., L.P.A. today.

Ohio Felony Crimes:

Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.

Ohio OVI /DUI:

"DUI" stands for Driving Under The Influence ("OVI" stands for Operating a Vehicle Under The Influence) and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their Blood Alcohol Content is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DUI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years; it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit. Plus, a DUI could also jeopardize your employment opportunities.

However, if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving accident, it is possible the defendant will be charged with a felony (and if the victim dies, the driver may be charged with vehicular manslaughter). Further, a DUI conviction will likely be raised to a felony if it is the driver's fourth DUI offense or the driver has had a prior felony DUI offense within 10 years of the new charge. For more information, please contact the Columbus, Ohio OVI and DUI lawyers of Heckert & Associates, Co., L.P.A..

Ohio Traffic Violations:

Traffic violations are specifically addressed in state statutes and can include: driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, DMV hearings and appeals. There is an entire body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways that can be difficult to interpret and apply. It is important to contact an experienced traffic/DUI/OVI defense lawyer if you have been charged with any traffic violations. Violations on your driving record can affect your eligibility for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) as well as insurance premiums and your ability to get certain types of employment.

Ohio Driver's License Revocation:

Typically, a driver's license will not be revoked for one or even two traffic tickets resulting from a moving violation such as speeding, running a stoplight or stop sign. However, if the offense is extremely reckless and/or if the driver has had previous convictions for moving violations in the past, his or her license may be revoked or suspended. If the driver is charged with drunk driving, reckless driving, or is involved in a hit-and-run, the defendant's license may be suspended for a year or more.

Ohio Drugs and Narcotics Charges:

Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.

Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e., prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine) and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.

Ohio Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking.

Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life. To protect your legal rights in court, contact the Columbus, Ohio domestic violence defense attorneys of Heckert & Associates, Co., L.P.A. today.

Ohio Assault and Violent Crimes:

By definition, a violent crime is a behavior against persons or property that intentionally threatens, attempts or inflicts physical harm. The seriousness of the injuries to the victim(s), whether or not guns or other weapons were used and/or whether or not the alleged perpetrator has a criminal record will determine the seriousness of the charge. Most violent crimes are considered felonies and are subject to be considered a "strike" in a state that has adopted three strikes laws. Violent criminal charges can include: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, hate crimes, etc.

Take Action to Protect Your Rights:

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a criminal case in the courts of Franklin County, Delaware County, Licking County, Morrow County, Fairfield County, Knox County or within the surrounding cities and counties of Ohio, and you need the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, call Heckert & Associates, Co., L.P.A. today at (866) 641-9975, or complete the contact form provided on this site to begin your free consultation.

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