Criminal law is best understood as it differs from civil law. Where civil law involves individuals disagreeing over their rights, and seeking restitution or compensation, a criminal lawyer deals with people who have (or may have) committed crimes.

Understanding What Criminal Law Attorneys Do

Where the civil law attorney is often trying to get a financial settlement for his or her client, the criminal law attorney is seeking the avoidance of punishment. The punishments in criminal cases vary widely, from small fines to lengthy prison sentences.

Every state has its own criminal code, and those states’ codes are often drastically different from one another. The U.S. Congress has codified certain crimes, in Title 18 of the U.S. Code (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), to be federal crimes.

Ohio’s criminal code differs from those of Kentucky and Indiana, and all three states update their criminal codes from time to time. The complete criminal code for each state is available to read. The attorneys at Donnellon, Donnellon & Miller know Ohio’s criminal code thoroughly, and can help answer any questions you may have.

No state may prosecute a person for an action that was not declared criminal at the time it was committed. As an assertion of this concept, the U.S. Constitution forbids any law that is “ex post facto,” or applicable retroactively.

If the state had declared the action in question criminal, however, the individual who carried out that action can be apprehended and taken to criminal court. Similarly, an omission in violation of a law ordering it – for example, not paying your taxes – can make an individual subject to criminal law proceedings.

Criminal Law Issues

Generally, there are three types of crimes a Cincinnati criminal lawyer deals with:

  • Misdemeanors (usually punished with less than a year of prison time)
  • Strict liability offenses (an action committed regardless of intent or mental state, such as statutory rape or possession crimes)
  • Felonies (usually punished with more than a year of prison time)

The defense strategies for strict liability offenses are generally different. Since there is no need to demonstrate a lack of criminal intent, these cases are often more driven by logistics and knowledge. For example, did the defendant know the other person was underage, regardless of consent?

Misdemeanor trials are handled differently from felony cases. Misdemeanor hearings can move relatively quickly through the court system – often taking less than a year. There will be many court dates, but those court dates are often grouped closer together in time. Most defendants plead guilty in misdemeanor cases, and that guilty plea can happen in any of those court dates.

As misdemeanor cases carry comparatively slight penalties, the court tries to be as efficient as possible in getting these cases processed. Felony trials generally take significantly longer.

Since the punishments are potentially so harsh and lengthy for felonies, it is crucial that the court follows strict procedures. This helps protect the rights of the defendant. By having strict rules and adhering to them, the court can help ensure fair treatment for anyone being tried for such a serious offense. The possibility of a case being thrown out as a “mistrial” is always present in a felony case, so the administrators of the court and the teams of attorneys are always on their guard to make sure the case is being conducted according to the letter of the law. Hence the numerous possible objections from the attorneys, be they sustained or overruled. The legal experts at Donnellon, Donnellon & Miller are vigilant about making sure their clients receive a fair trial. Even the smallest potential misstep from the court catches our attorneys’ attention and is called out for review.

Low-level felonies are generally related to property or drugs. Possession of small amounts of controlled substances, or sales of those substances in small amounts, is felonious, but considered low-level. Class H or Class I felonies include such property crimes as embezzlement, obtaining property by false pretenses, or larceny. A defendant may receive probation for such an offense. Sentences that are probationary may include house arrest, community service, counseling for substance abuse, or weekends in jail (but weekdays working and staying at home). Low-level felonies are often resolved with the use of plea deals to reduce charges. The maximum penalty for a Class I felony — the least serious type of felony — is two years in jail. In cases happening in the courts of Cincinnati, Ohio, a criminal lawyer can often fight for a significantly reduced sentence for a low-level felony.

Mid-level felonies can lead to lengthy prison sentences, depending on the case and circumstances. Class E, Class F, and Class G felonies may be related to sexual assault, violent assault, involuntary manslaughter, or habitual DUI or driving while impaired. Drug trafficking crimes can also fall into this mid-level category. Probationary sentences are possible, but are generally much more intensive than those awarded for Class H or Class I felony sentences.

High-level felonies are often violent crimes. Arson, voluntary manslaughter, murder, armed robbery, and forcible rape are most commonly categorized as Class A, Class B1, Class B2, Class C, or Class D felonies. Some drug trafficking cases can fall into the high-level classifications, as can cases of statutory rape or burglary. High-level felonies carry the maximum sentences, and can lead to decades in prison, life sentences, or capital punishment. For such felonies, it is particularly important that you find the right criminal lawyers in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Importance of a Competent Attorney

Criminal defense attorneys can make or break a defense case. Arguably more so than in other types of law, criminal defense rests largely on the presentations in the courtroom. Where other areas of law may deal more with settling out of court, or plea bargaining, or dealing with contract negotiations, criminal defense law is much more likely to deal with an actual physical trial in front of a judge and jury.

Having an attorney that can represent your defense in person is crucial. If you are facing a criminal charge, you need an attorney who can communicate clearly. You need a legal representative who can turn your side of the situation into a clear story.

Perhaps most importantly, you need an attorney who understands how such cases are tried, and the strategies that can win for the defense.

If you are in Cincinnati and are in need of a criminal law attorney, please call Donnellon, Donnellon, and Miller at 513-891-7087 for a consultation.