Criminal Defense

Whether you have been cited for a minor misdemeanor or charged with a serious felony, you have constitutional rights. Signil Law Firm, LLC. SLF provides vigorous and competent criminal representation, in making sure your constitutional rights are not violated and your interest are protected. From traffic tickets, petty theft and OVI, to trespassing, assault and serious felonies, SLF is prepared to advocate for you.

Some defendants believe they do not need an attorney to assist them. However, the criminal justice system can be complex, slight technicalities or misunderstandings of the law can be the difference between:

  • fines vs. community service;
  • detainment vs. dismissal;
  • probation vs prison;
  • charge reduction vs. charge enhancement;
  • guilt vs. innocence;

At SLF we strongly encourage you to contact our office for a consultation as soon as possible.

Misdemeanors

Steps in a Misdemeanor Prosecution (Per Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure)
  1. Charges filed, arrest or citation
  2. Arraignment/Initial Appearance – Defendant must enter initial plea (one of the following):

    a. Guilty – defendant is convicted, and then sentenced, no trial
    b. No Contest – admission of the facts in the prosecuting instrument, facts can not be used against the defendant in a later civil trial
    (For pleas of guilty and not guilty – the court will likely sentence the defendant the same day or not long after entering plea)
    c. Not Guilty
    d. Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity – must be plead at the time of arraignment
    (For pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity, case proceeds to trial)

  3. Discovery

    where the prosecution and defense exchange evidence planned to be used during trial

  4. Pre-Trail Motions

    any defense, objection, evidentiary issue, or request that is capable of determination prior to trial.
    The most common is the motion to suppress evidence from being admitted. (Settlements are often reached during this period)

  5. Filing of Notice of Alibi

    must file no less than 7 days before trial

  6. Pre-Trail Conference
  7. Trial
  8. Sentencing

    *if convicted

  9. Appeal
Classes of misdemeanor offenses and sentencing guidelines
# Offenses (Some examples) Jail Terms (ORC 2929.24) Fines (ORC 2929.28v1)
Minor Misdemeanor Most Speeding Tickets N/A Up to $150 (not including court cost)
1st Degree Misdemeanor (M1) Assault
Aggravated Menacing
Petty Theft (under $1000) (ORC 291.02b2)
Passing Bad Checks (ORC 2913.11f)
Receiving Stolen Property (ORC 2913.51)
(offense increases based on the value of stolen property)
Aggravated Trespass (enter or remain on the land or premises of another with purpose to commit on that land or those premises a misdemeanor, the elements of which involve causing physical harm to another person or causing another person to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to him) (ORC 2911.211)
Up to 6 months Not more than $1000
2nd Degree Misdemeanor (M2) Criminal Damaging of Property of Another (similar to vandalism) (ORC 2909.06)
Commits Neglect of a Patient in Care Facility (ORC 2903.34e)
Caretaker’s reckless failure to provide care to an impaired person (ORC 2903.16)
Up to 90 days Not more than $750
3rd Degree Misdemeanor (M3) Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle
Criminal Mischief (interference with property of another)
Up to 60 days Not more than $500
4th Degree Misdemeanor (M4) Menacing (ORC 2903.22)
Disorderly Conduct (ORC 2917.11)
Criminal Trespass (Knowingly enter or remain on the land or premises of another) (ORC 2911.12)
Up to 30 days Not more than $250
Factors A Court Takes Into Consideration When Determining A Sentence (ORC 2929.22v1) (Bold Added Not in Statute)
  • a. Nature and circumstances of the offense or offenses;
  • b. History of persistent criminal activity and that the offender's character and condition reveal a substantial risk that the offender will commit another offense;
  • c. Offender's history, character, and condition reveal a substantial risk that the offender will be a danger to others and that the offender's conduct has been characterized by a pattern of repetitive, compulsive, or aggressive behavior with heedless indifference to the consequences;
  • d. Whether the victim's youth, age, disability, or other factor made the victim particularly vulnerable to the offense or made the impact of the offense more serious;
  • e. Whether the offender is likely to commit future crimes in general;
  • f. Whether the offender has an emotional, mental, or physical condition that is traceable to the offender's service in the armed forces of the United States;
  • g. The offender's military service record.

Felonies

Steps in a Felony Prosecution
  1. Initial Appearance – charges are read to the defendant, and defendant is given right to counsel
  2. Preliminary Hearing – to determine probable cause, unless waived by defendant, to determine probable cause
  3. Grand Jury – to determine whether or not to indict
  4. Arraignment – defendant enters a plea

    a. Guilty – defendant is convicted, and then sentenced, no trial
    b. No Contest – admission of the facts in the prosecuting instrument, facts cannot be used against the defendant in a later civil trial For pleas of guilty and not guilty – the court will likely sentence the defendant the same day or not long after entering plea
    c. Not Guilty
    d. Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity – must be plead at the time of arraignment

  5. Pre-Trial Motions – must be made before trial (motion to suppress is most common)
  6. Discovery – where the prosecution and defense exchange evidence planned to be used during trial
  7. Notice of Alibi – must be filed seven days before trial
  8. Pre-Trial Conference - judge, prosecutor, defense attorney & law enforcement representative meet to discuss case
  9. Trial
  10. Sentencing - if convicted
  11. Appeal
Felony: Theft/Robbery/Vehicle Robbery Offenses
# Offenses (Some examples) Jail Terms Mandatory Minimum (as of 03/22/19) Fines
1st Degree Felony Aggravated Theft ($1,500,000 or more) (ORC 2913.02b2)
Counterfeiting ($1,000,000 or more) (ORC 2913.30)
Aggravated Robbery ( in attempting or committing…or fleeing a theft offense…having a deadly weapon...on or about the offenders person…and either display the weapon, brandish it, indicate that the offender possesses it, or use it..) (ORC 2911.01)
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or eleven yrs (ORC 2929.14 A1(a)) up to $20,000 in fines
2nd Degree Felony Aggravated Theft ($750,000 - $1,499,000) (ORC 2913.02b2)
Counterfeiting ($100,000 - $999,999)
Aggravated Robbery (in attempting or committing a theft offense or in fleeing immediately after the attempt or offense, (1) Have a deadly weapon on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control; (2) Inflict, attempt to inflict, or threaten to inflict physical harm on another; ) (ORC 2911.02)
two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight yrs; (ORC 2929.14 A2a) up to $15,000 in fines
3rd Degree Felony Aggravated Theft ($150,000 - $749,999) (ORC 2913.02 b2)
Counterfeiting ($5,000 - $99,999)
twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-six, forty-two, forty-eight, fifty-four, or sixty months; (ORC 2929.14 A3a) up to $10,000 in fines
4th Degree Felony Grand Theft ($7500 – $150,000) (ORC 2913.02 b2)
Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle (ORC 2913.02 b5)
Counterfeiting (under $5,000)
six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen months (ORC 2929.14 A4) up to $5,000 in fines
5th Degree Felony Stealing a Credit card, motor vehicle license plates (ORC 2913.71) six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months (ORC 2929.14 A5) up to $2,500 in fines
Felonies Involving Firearms (Firearm Specifications)
Offense Mandatory Sentence
"...with having a firearm that is an automatic firearm or that was equipped with a firearm muffler or suppressor on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control while committing the offense and specifies that the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a [firearm] specification" (ORC 2929.14 B 1 a iv) Nine Years
"...Possession of an automatic firearm…on or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control while committing the offense" Six Years
"...offender with having a firearm on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control while committing the offense and displaying the firearm, brandishing the firearm, indicating that the offender possessed the firearm, or using the firearm to facilitate the offense and that the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a specification of the type described in section" (ORC 2929.14 B1 A v) 54 months
"...having a firearm on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control while committing the offense and displaying the firearm, brandishing the firearm, indicating that the offender possessed the firearm, or using it to facilitate the offense;" (ORC 2929.14 B1 A ii) Three Years
"...offender with having a firearm on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control while committing the offense and that the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a specification" (ORC 2929.14 B1 A v1) 18 Months
"...having a firearm on or about the offender's person or under the offender's control while committing the offense;" (ORC 2929.14 B1 A iii) One Year
Murder
Offense Sentence
Aggravated Murder (purposely cause death…prior calculation) 15 years to Life (penalties varies if the victim was under the age of 13 or if the crime rape)
Murder 15 years to Life (penalties varies if the victim was under the age of 13 or if the crime rape)
Voluntary Manslaughter (sudden passion….brought on by serious provocation) three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or eleven yrs.
Involuntary Manslaughter (proximate result of the offender's committing or attempting to commit a felony.) (ORC 2903.04 A) three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or eleven yrs.
Assault
# Offense Jail Terms Fines
2nd Degree Felony Aggravated Vehicular Assault
if driving under suspension
two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight yrs; up to $15,000
2nd Degree Felony Felonious Assault
knowingly…cause serious physical harm to another or to another's unborn
two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight yrs; up to $15,000
3rd Degree Felony Aggravated Vehicular Assault
No person, while operating or participating in the operation of a motor vehicle… shall cause serious physical harm to another person or another's unborn
twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-six, forty-two, forty-eight, fifty-four, or sixty months; up to $10,000
4th Degree Felony Aggravated Assault
under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage…brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim…knowingly..cause serious physical harm to another
six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen months up to $5,000
1st Degree Misdemeanor Assault
knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another
Up to 6 months up to $1,000
1st Degree Misdemeanor Aggravated Menacing
knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause serious physical harm to the person or property of the other person
Up to 6 months up to $1,000
4th Degree Misdemeanor Menacing
knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person
Up to 30 days Up to $250
OVI/Drunk Driving (Operating A Vehicle Under the Influence)
“No person shall operate any vehicle...under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.” (ORC 4511.19 A1a)
Amount of Alcohol in System Mandatory Jail or Intervention Program Fine Possible Drivers License Suspension
.08% - .17% of alcohol in blood (ORC 4511.19 A1b) 3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.096% - .204% of alcohol in the person's blood serum or plasma. (ORC 4511.19 A1c) 3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.08% - .17% of alcohol per 210 liters in the breath (ORC 4511.19 A1d) 3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.11% to .238% by weight of alcohol per 100 milliliters of the person's urine (ORC 4511.19 A1e) 3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.17% or greater of alcohol in blood (ORC 4511.19 A1f) 3 days and intervention program, or mandatory 6 days $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.204% or greater of alcohol in blood serum or plasma (ORC 4511.19 A1g) 3 days and intervention program, or mandatory 6 days $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.17% or more of alcohol or more per 210 liters in the breath (ORC 4511.19 A1h) 3 days and intervention program, or mandatory 6 days $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
.238% of alcohol or more by weight of alcohol per 100 milliliters of the person's urine (ORC 4511.19 A1i) 3 days and intervention program, or mandatory 6 days $375 - $1,075 1-3 years
Drug Offenses
Drug Amount in System Mandatory Jail Time Fine
Amphetamines (ORC 4511.19 A1Ji) Urine = 500 nanograms per mL
Blood/Plasma = 100 nanograms per mL
3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075
Cocaine (ORC 4511.19 A1Jii) Urine = 150 nanograms per mL
Blood/Plasma = 50 nanograms per mL
3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075
Heroin (ORC 4511.19 A1Jiv) Urine = 2,000 nanograms per mL
Blood/Plasma = 50 nanograms per mL
3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075
LSD (ORC 4511.19 A1Jvi) Urine = 25 nanograms per mL
Blood/Plasma = 10 nanograms per mL
3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075
Marijuana (ORC 4511.19 A1Jv1) Urine = 10 nanograms per mL
Blood/Plasma = 2 nanograms per mL
3 Days in Jail (up to 6 months) and/or Intervention program $375 - $1,075

Expungement / Record Sealing

Expungement/Record Sealing (ORC 2953.31)

The state of Ohio believes that just because someone has made a mistake at one point in their life, that mistake should not haunt them for the rest of their life. The state of Ohio allows certain criminal offenses to be sealed. At SLF we are strong advocates of record sealing, and we look forward to helping our clients remove past indiscretions from their record and start a new chapter in life.
If you have previously been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, please contact our office for a consultation for record sealing.
Below are some basic facts about the record sealing process in Ohio.

  1. Record Sealing

    a. Eligibility

    i. Five or less offenses
    ii. Felonies of the 4th or 5th Degree
    iii. Misdemeanors
    ***Excludes offense of violence or felony sex offense***

    b. Time Period for Filing

    i. Three years after the discharge of felony
    ii. Four years after discharge if convicted of two felonies
    iii. Five years after discharge if convicted of 3,4 or 5 (b)
    iv. One year after discharge of misdemeanor

    c. Process

    i. File an application
    ii. Four years after discharge if convicted of two felonies
    iii. Five years after discharge if convicted of 3,4 or 5 (b)
    iv. One year after discharge of misdemeanor