At Patituce & Associates, we handle criminal matters through all stages of the justice process. Our criminal defense lawyers in Cleveland, OH, have a reputation for getting results, and we are ready to stand by you at every step in your case. Our lawyers have 70+ years of combined experience and are backed by a track record of results.
We have handled numerous criminal cases, including drug crimes, federal crimes, juvenile crimes, sex offenses, theft crimes, violent crimes, and white collar crimes. Through every case, we remain focused on protecting our clients’ rights.
We have extensive experience defending charges of DUI. Our criminal defense team consists of three former prosecutors. We know what the other side needs to prove to obtain a conviction, which means we know how to build strategies to counter them.
We thoroughly review every detail to aggressively fight charges. Our team also assists clients already convicted. In such cases, we pursue every post-conviction relief vehicle available to help clients seek a second chance. We work toward overturning wrongful convictions, seeking early release, and challenging unlawful confinement.
Criminal offenses in the state of Ohio are generally classified into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries more severe penalties including a more damaging loss of civil rights.
In Ohio, misdemeanors are classified into five levels:
Minor, Fourth-degree, Third-degree, Second-degree, and First-degree misdemeanors.
A minor misdemeanor is the least serious type of misdemeanor (and crimes in general). This carries no jail time and a maximum fine of $150. First-degree misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor crimes and carry a maximum of 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.
In Ohio, felonies are classified into five degrees:
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Felony of the fifth degree is the least serious type of felony and carries a prison sentence of 6-12 months and a fine not exceeding $2,500 whereas felony of the first degree is the most serious type of felony and carries a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum fine of $20,000.
Yes! We strongly advise that you talk to an experienced criminal defense before making any statements to the police. Remember, anything that you say can and will be used against you, even if you don’t think it is incriminating. An attorney will guide you on what to say and what not to say.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees your right to remain silent and you should exercise it.
The habitual offender law is a special law that gives the judge the discretion to apply stricter penalties based on the presence and number of previous convictions.
For instance, penalties for a DUI conviction increase in severity with every subsequent conviction. While a first offense carries a jail term of 3 days to 6 months and a fine ranging from $375 to $1,075, a fourth conviction within 10 years carries a fine ranging from $1,350 to $10,500 and a jail term of 60 days to one year . A fifth DUI conviction within 20 years leads to you being added to the Habitual Offender Registry.
How much it will cost you to hire your own attorney will vary depending on a range of factors including the type and severity of your charge, the experience of the attorney, and whether or not your case goes to trial. But regardless of the cost, nothing beats quality legal representation. At the end of the day, it is your reputation, freedom, and future that are on the line.
Yes! In fact, there are many benefits that come with hiring your own attorney vs a public defender. To begin with, court-appointed attorneys are often overworked and underpaid. Sadly, what this means is that they have very limited time and resources to dedicate to your case. Additionally, they don’t have much incentive to fight hard and ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Working with a private attorney, on the other hand, ensures that you get the quality and personalized representation that you need. A private attorney is able to dedicate more time and attention to your case. Additionally, they have access to more resources and more connections, which means that they are able to work with the best experts in relevant industries to support your case. They have much more incentive to fight hard for you until the end.
Yes, the fifth amendment guarantees your right to represent yourself in a court of law. However, this is the worst decision that you can possibly make. The chances of a conviction are almost always 100% and you are likely to be hit with more severe consequences than you would with an attorney.
This all depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your case and the nature of the plea offer presented by the prosecutor. An attorney will be able to help you determine whether entering a plea bargain is the best option for you.
Getting a guilty verdict doesn’t have to mean the end of the line for you. Every conviction comes with an automatic right to appeal. To initiate the process, you will need to file a Notice of Appeal with the court within 30 days of the trial court filing its sentencing entry. It is important to note that appealing a conviction doesn’t mean holding a new trial, rather it means that you are asking a higher court to determine whether the process and subsequent conviction were fair. The main point here is to identify any legal errors that were made during the trial level.
If the Court of Appeals chooses to reverse the conviction, the case will be sent back to the trial court and the prosecutor will need to decide whether to try the case afresh, however, this rarely happens, and may just choose to dismiss.
The consequences of a criminal conviction, even for a misdemeanor, can be too much to bear for any defendant. Besides serving time in jail, incurring hefty fines, and the risk of losing important civil rights, having a criminal record can negatively affect your reputation, and future employment, education, and housing opportunities. It also affects your ability to be approved for certain loans.
With everything that is potentially at stake, getting expert legal assistance is paramount. And this is what you get with Patituce & Associates. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced Cleveland criminal defense attorneys who are prepared to do what it takes to protect your rights, reputation, freedom, and future. Call us today at 440-471-7784 to get started.
At Patituce & Associates, our main focus is on you, the client. We don’t work for the government. We work for you. Our Cleveland criminal defense attorneys understand that each and every client brings a new set of issues, problems, and difficulties that they need to overcome. Often, these problems can appear to be overwhelming, and even impossible, to deal with. Our law firm does not feel that way.
Depending on the nature of your case, you might worry that even the best criminal defense lawyer can’t help. However, if you are facing a felony or misdemeanor, it is imperative that you contact a skilled legal representative right away. There is no case that is hopeless, and if your freedom is on the line, our attorneys will fight for you.
In Ohio, a majority of violent crimes carry many years in prison plus hefty fines. This is why it is wise to contact an experienced violent crime defense lawyer as soon as possible. At Patituce & Associates, we fight aggressively against a system that is designed to find you guilty. Our team has 70 years of experience and includes former prosecutors. We defend clients facing charges of murder, kidnapping, assault, and more.
The penalties for driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs in Ohio are serious. A conviction can lead to stiff fines, suspension of your driver’s license, and even jail time. You need the help of an experienced DUI defense lawyer. With extensive trial experience and a team that includes former prosecutors, we know how to fight for the best outcome in your case. Call us anytime 24/7 for a free case review!
Whether it’s sexual battery, rape, prostitution, or child porn, sex crime cases have high stakes. You could face a long prison sentence and be forced to register as a sex offender if convicted. Our sex crime lawyers know how best to challenge forensic evidence and witness testimony in these cases. We will fight to protect your freedom and your reputation. We have a well-earned reputation for handling the toughest and most complex cases.
White-collar crimes are financial crimes that don’t result in physical injury to others, but it doesn’t mean that the Federal Government or the state of Ohio considers them to be less serious than other offenses. If you are charged with fraud, counterfeiting, or another white-collar crime, you need the best defense lawyers on your side. Our team at Patituce & Associates has decades of experience and a record of success.
What Is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude?
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Will Your Criminal Case Go to Trial?
You have the constitutional right to a trial in a criminal case. A trial allows you, the defendant, to challenge the evidence against you and cross-examine witnesses. It protects the assumption that you are innocent
Dos and Don’ts After Being Arrested
Being arrested can be a frightening experience. When emotions are high, it can be difficult to fully understand what’s happening. In some cases, it can cause a person to act out of character, which could
