If 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.