Tag: Cleveland criminal defense attorney

When and Why You May Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

Cleveland CourthouseIf you are being charged with a crime in Ohio, the consequences can be devastating. Not only can you be put in jail or on probation, but the courts can also impose hefty fines. Being convicted of a crime in Ohio can also impact your future: Professional licenses can be suspended or revoked; your employment status can be negatively affected and the opportunity to find good paying job will be diminished; and your reputation in the community can be tarnished. Those convicted of a felony lose their right to own firearms as well as their right to vote while imprisoned.

Cleveland Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Cuyahoga County and all of Northeast Ohio

If you are facing criminal charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney can ensure that you are protected and treated fairly during the litigation process. As a criminal defense attorney, I have helped hundreds of clients in the greater Cleveland area for more than 22 years, defending them against misdemeanor and felony offenses.

What Is the Role of a Criminal Defense Attorney? 

The job of your criminal defense attorney is to make sure you are treated fairly. This means that your attorney will make sure the rules are followed regarding the way the government obtains its evidence and how they handle the criminal proceedings in court.

Every person in this country has the right to be presumed innocent unless guilt is proven beyond all reasonable doubt. So it is my job as your criminal defense attorney to make sure that the evidence introduced is fairly obtained, that any interviews conducted of you and other witnesses are properly performed, and that no exculpatory evidence (evidence that would prove your innocence) is overlooked or unfairly hidden from the jury and judge.

The job of a criminal defense attorney is more than just playing a role in defending the individual client. He or she works to protect your freedom during the court process and employs investigators that conduct their own inquiries, to determine what really happened. Criminal defense attorneys play a role in protecting all Ohio citizens from the Government’s use of unfair practices.

Criminal Cases in Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio 

No two criminal defense cases are the same, and no two defendants are either. I work carefully to represent and defend you by focusing on your individual needs. The same criminal case may even be handled differently in different counties, and I consider your location, whether you’re in Cuyahoga County or elsewhere in Northeast Ohio, in my approach to your defense. I have experience representing clients who have been charged with both misdemeanors and felonies in many counties through-out in Ohio by providing the following services:

  • Researching legal issues
  • Comprehensively investigating the facts of the case
  • Suppressing illegally obtained evidence and witnesses
  • Assisting you in preparing for trial
  • Negotiating with the prosecutor’s office
  • Representing you during the trial
  • Selecting the best possible jury when necessary
  • Representing you during sentencing if necessary

If you have been charged with a serious crime in Cleveland or Northeast Ohio, you need an experienced criminal attorney to help you navigate the criminal process. For more information and a free consultation, please contact Jeff Hastings, experienced Cleveland Criminal Defense Attorney.

Reduce Your Legal Expenses by Choosing a Smaller Law Firm

If you have ever watched some of the most popular legal shows, whether you were an “LA Law” fan or prefer “The Good Wife,” you may get the idea that the law is exciting and full of intrigue at every turn. While there are moments of excitement for every attorney, the reality is that is that most lawyers often work very long hours both during the week and on the weekend.

Attorneys, in private practice, generally either work for large law firms that employ many attorneys (let’s say over ten) or a smaller law firm with less than ten attorneys. The larger law firms generally come with a lot of overhead expenses. There are the large offices, the high downtown rent and parking, the salaries for the partners, associates, paralegals, administrative assistants, etc. While higher hourly rates for a large law firm’s partners and associates may be charged for the knowledge and skill of the attorney assigned to your case (and the complexity of the case), the large law firms also charges higher hourly rates to cover its many overhead expenses.

A small firm or solo practitioner, with same knowledge and professional skills as a partner in a large firm, will also provide excellent legal representation while often charging a much lower hourly rate because of lower overhead (smaller offices, lower rent, etc.) and fewer employee paychecks to distribute.

As an attorney, associated with a smaller law firm and with over 23 years of legal experience, I provide affordable and competent criminal defense and civil litigation services to a variety of clients in Cleveland and around Ohio. If you have a legal question or concern, contact Cleveland Ohio criminal and civil attorney Jeff Hastings for a free consultation.