Painesville Assault Lawyer

Painesville Assault Attorney

Facing assault charges in Ohio can lead to serious consequences that can alter your life. The truth is that a single act of violence can change your relationship with your family, affect future employment, and restrict your freedoms. A skilled Painesville assault lawyer can help secure a favorable outcome for you.

At Fortress Law Group, LLC, we understand that everyone’s situation is unique. You may have acted under duress, defending yourself, or being falsely accused. We are familiar with the strategies the prosecution will use to convict you due to our experience as a state prosecutor.

Assault Cases in Painesville

Assault is defined in Ohio as knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm to another person. There are three types of assault charges in Ohio:

• Assault. Simple assault is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio. Penalties result in up to 180 days of jail time and fines up to $1,000. If a simple assault is against a protected party like a teacher, police officer, or health care worker, then the conviction is elevated to a fourth-degree felony assault. This can result in six to 18 months in prison and fines up to $5,000.

• Aggravated assault. This is an increased charge that comes from knowingly causing serious physical harm with or without a deadly weapon. Penalties can be six to 18 months in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

• Felonious assault. An assault is upgraded to felony charges if you knowingly caused or attempted physical harm to another person by means of a deadly weapon. This is a very serious crime and is charged as a second-degree felony, which carries a potential sentence of two to eight years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Misdemeanor assault cases are heard at the Painesville Municipal Court on Richmond Street. Felony cases are heard at the Lake County Court of Common Pleas on North Park Place.

Violent crimes are unfortunately common in Ohio, with over 30,000 violent crimes reported in 2023. Unfortunately, an assault conviction will add to your criminal record and can affect your future in many ways.

A criminal record can affect your future employment if employers conduct background checks, and affect your ability to keep professional licenses. It may also cause challenges in securing housing if applicants are screened. If there are protective orders against you, it may limit your ability to move or reside in certain areas.

Common Defenses and Legal Strategies

While every assault case is unique and in some cases very personal, there are common defenses that your attorney may use. If you were acting in self-defense, you are allowed to use reasonable force to protect yourself from imminent harm. The same applies if you are acting in the defense of others.

For the prosecution to be able to convict you of assault, they will need to prove that you acted with the intention to cause harm. If you accidentally caused harm or acted in defense, the prosecution may not be able to secure a conviction.

The prosecution must also prove that, beyond a reasonable doubt, you committed assault. When you hire an assault lawyer, they can look at the evidence law enforcement has against you and the method of collection. If law enforcement violated your rights, any evidence collected may be suppressed.

A skilled Painesville assault lawyer can also negotiate with the prosecution and attempt to reduce charges or penalties. With proven results, our team at Fortress Law Group, LLC, can build a defense strategy to win you a favorable outcome.

FAQs

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for Assault?

An assault lawyer’s cost can vary significantly based on the severity of charges, case complexity, your attorney’s experience, and location. Fees are often structured as hourly rates or flat fees.

Complex cases will cost significantly more as they require more legal work and often lead to litigation. More experienced lawyers and those in major cities will often charge higher fees than newer lawyers in rural areas.

What Evidence Is Needed for Assault Charges?

The evidence that is needed for assault charges has to prove intent. The prosecution needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the intent was to cause physical harm. The most common evidence they will gather is victim and witness statements, physical proof like injury photos or medical records, DNA, weapons, correspondence, and any surveillance footage if applicable.

In most cases, the victim’s word is not enough to cause a conviction; there needs to be corroborating evidence.

How Much Jail Time for Assault in Ohio?

Jail time for assault in Painesville, Ohio varies greatly based on the charge. For simple assault, a first-degree misdemeanor, you may only face up to 180 days. Felonious assault, a very severe form of assault using a deadly weapon, is a second-degree felony and can result in two to eight years in prison. An attorney can help you receive a lesser sentence with a solid defense strategy.

What Is the Optimal Defense for Assault Charges?

The most optimal defense for assault charges is self-defense, defense of others, or defense of others or property. If either of these applies to your individual case, then you have the right to defend yourself using equal force as your attacker. Another strong defense is the lack of intent, proving that the action was not intentional or was accidental, such as accidentally hitting someone in a crowd. If the environment had low lighting, another defense includes mistaken identity.

Hire an Assault Lawyer

With robust experience representing clients accused of assault, our team at Fortress Law Group, LLC, can help. Our founding attorney offers a unique background, having served as an assistant prosecutor in the past.

We use solid defense strategies and utilize DNA evidence to help win favorable outcomes for our clients. Our experienced defense team will explore your case at every angle and use the most robust strategies in the field.

With over 25 five-star reviews on Google, our client reviews speak highly of our attorney’s abilities to create an unwavering defense for you. Contact us today to get started.

Painesville Assault Lawyer Reviews

Meet Your Attorney

Matthew C. Bangerter

Founder, Fortress Law Group, LLC

Matthew draws on his unique background as a former Assistant Prosecutor and his scientific expertise in molecular genetics to bring unparalleled precision and strategy to criminal defense in Northeast Ohio. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor charges, serious felony indictments, or federal prosecution, he builds defense strategies rooted in forensic evidence analysis, cutting-edge legal theory, and an unwavering commitment to protecting your constitutional rights and positioning you for the strongest outcome in court.

Call (440) 659-1315