Mentor Violent Crimes Lawyer

Mentor Violent Crimes Attorney

When you are accused of a violent crime, this can come with both criminal penalties and social stigma that can harm your reputation. Even mere allegations can have negative consequences before or without a conviction. If you are accused of a violent crime, a Mentor violent crimes lawyer can help you fight for your rights.

Understanding Violent Crime Laws in Ohio

A violent crime is any criminal offense that uses, or attempts to use, force, threats, or a weapon against another person. In Ohio, violent offenses are also known as “offenses of violence” and are more aggressively prosecuted by the prosecutor, the judge, and the court.

The use of violence in crimes leads to both extended mandatory and maximum sentences, stricter bail requirements, and diminished opportunities to seal or expunge legal records. Simply put, the presence of violence can intensify the penalties for a crime.

Violent crimes are different from non-violent offenses because they directly affect another person’s physical safety, rather than just their property or finances.

For example, theft involves taking another person’s money or property without their permission. Robbery is a form of theft, but it is also considered a violent offense because the defendant is also threatening or using force to steal. The difference can drastically affect the outcome of your case, as the use of violence can increase charges by several felony degrees.

Examples of Violent Crimes

The 2022 violent crime rate for the nation and Ohio dropped from 2021. The violent crime rate for Ohio dropped 7.5% from 2021, while the national violent crime rate dropped 1.6% from 2021. In 2022, there were 28,566 violent crimes in Ohio, including 16,657 aggravated assaults, 6,146 robberies, 5,115 rapes, and 648 homicides.

Violent crime is a broad term and can cover a range of different offenses. Some of the most common violent crimes include:

• Taking a life. This includes murder, homicide, and manslaughter, among other crimes. This also includes unlawfully terminating a pregnancy.
• Assault. This offense involves inflicting harm on another or attempting to do so. When the attack is felonious or aggravated, this can include the use of a deadly weapon.
• Domestic violence. This involves the abuse, threats, and physical violence inflicted upon someone with whom the offender has an intimate relationship, such as a spouse, significant other, or person they share a child with.
• Kidnapping. Kidnapping is taking someone from their home or place of safety without permission or authorization. This typically involves restraint and using force, intimidation, or deception.
• Robbery. When a person commits a robbery, they take another person’s belongings without permission while using force, violence, and/or intimidation to do so.

Additional violent acts include terrorist threats, stalking, and burglary. Attempts to commit these crimes can also be charged as violent crimes. For example, pointing a gun at someone during a robbery, even if no one was physically harmed, could result in several years in prison. Threatening serious bodily injury while committing another crime may also be charged as a violent felony.

Defenses to Violent Crimes

Violent crimes are not always as simple as a person inflicting, or attempting to inflict, violence on another person. A Mentor violent crimes attorney can look at the specifics of your case and build an appropriate defense. Common defenses include:

• Self-defense. If you were attempting to prevent someone from inflicting violence on you, self-defense may be an appropriate defense.
• In defense of others. In some cases, offenders were acting to protect others, especially those who cannot defend themselves, such as an infant or someone physically disabled.
• Mistaken identity. Many violent crimes rely on eyewitness testimony, which can often be unreliable, especially in the heat and swiftness of the moment.
• Lack of intent. Some violent crimes require that the prosecutor provide evidence that you had the intent to commit the crime.

An experienced attorney can look at the facts and determine what the most appropriate defense is for your circumstances.

Hire a Violent Crimes Lawyer

​​Being charged with a violent crime is one of the most intimidating things that can happen to someone. Since 2009, we have defended thousands of clients throughout Ohio in their time of need. We are located in Mentor, so we are no strangers to the Lake County Courthouse and the people who work inside of it. Our knowledge and familiarity with violent crime laws and the court procedures involved give us an edge in defending our clients.

FAQs

What Are the 4 Types of Violent Crimes?

Violent crime is divided into four categories by the FBI: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. All of these offenses involve force or the threat of force against a victim. Other crimes, such as kidnapping or arson, also involve violence, but these four have come to be seen as the most important types of violent crime in national crime statistics.

What Is a Violent Offense in Ohio?

A violent crime in Ohio, legally known as an “offense of violence,” is one that involves actual or attempted physical harm to another individual, or the threat of force, intimidation, or weapons. These crimes include assault, domestic violence, homicide, robbery, and kidnapping. Violent crimes lead to stricter punishments than non-violent crimes and remain permanently on one’s criminal record.

What Kind of Lawyer Goes Against Criminals?

Lawyers who try cases for the government against people accused of crimes are called prosecutors. Attorneys who represent people who are accused of crimes are called criminal defense attorneys. A Mentor violent crimes lawyer is a type of criminal defense attorney who represents people who have been charged with violent crimes in Ohio courts against the State of Ohio.

Can Violent Crime Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?

Yes, violent crime charges in Mentor can be reduced or dismissed in many cases. Defense strategies may involve self-defense claims, lack of intent arguments, or questioning the reliability of witness statements. Prosecutors may also agree to a plea deal that downgrades a violent felony to a lesser offense. The chances of a favorable outcome improve substantially when you hire a violent crimes lawyer to represent you.

Contact Fortress Law Group, LLC, Today

If you were charged with a violent crime, Fortress Law Group, LLC, can help you. We can fight against violent crime penalties and for a more favorable future. Contact us today to get started.

Ohio Violent Crime Resources:

• Ohio Crime Rate by City 2025 – Latest Statistics
• Federal Crimes vs Ohio State Crimes – What’s the Difference?