Case Results

After an unruly child was disciplined by her parent, the parent was then accused of domestic violence. This is a misdemeanor of the first degree and carries a maximum sentence of 180 day in jail and a $1000 fine. We were able to explain to the prosecution that this was an unruly child who was constantly disobeying her mother. The child was actually 19 years old, yet continued to live under her mother's roof, but wanted to live by her own rules. There was extensive negotiation and threat of a jury trial if the case was not dismissed. Eventually, the case was dismissed.

This was a complex case that was bifurcated between Common Pleas and Municipal Court due one incident giving rise to two separate crimes – one being felony, and one being a misdemeanor. Unfortunately, at first, we negotiated and applied her for diversion, which she was denied due to an open case in Municipal Court. After getting her possession of marijuana dismissed, we then reapplied her for diversion. Because the possession case was dismissed, she was then accepted into diversion. Therefore, if she successfully completes diversion, her felony theft offense will also be dismissed.

Unfortunately, peer pressure will make children do some terrible things. In this assault case, our client was alleged to have videotaped an assault that was taking place by one of her friends on another child. Our client was an honor roll student, in the gifted program, and had many aspirations within the community. After lengthy discussions with the prosecution, it was worked out that the case will be held open for our client until she performed some community service. Once she completed the community service, the case was dismissed.

There is nothing worse than parents using the criminal court system to win a custody battle for their children. Our client made the unfortunate mistake of involving himself with a woman that was willing to do whatever she needed to keep our client away from his child – including prosecution. At first, she attempted to file a Civil Protection Order, which after a full hearing, was subsequently dismissed. Then we proceeded to Licking County Municipal Court where the case was set for trial. Eventually, our client was offered a plea to the more appropriate charge of Disorderly Conduct and Diversion. Upon successful completion of Diversion, the case will be dismissed.

In another instance of a parent attempting to use the criminal court system to gain a competitive advantage in a custody dispute, my client was faced with Violating a Protection Order. The original protection itself was subsequently dismissed. Unfortunately, between the time period of granting the order and the order being dismissed, there was an alleged violation. Because the original protection was vacated and shown to be without merit, our firm was finally able to have the violation of that invalid order dismissed.

In this case, we represented a teen in the Licking County Juvenile Court that was charged with Domestic Violence for striking his mother during a verbal altercation. We successfully negotiated a plea, which involved a Disorderly Conduct offense (a misdemeanor of the 4 ^th degree) instead of the very serious, and enhance able Domestic Violence offense.

Our client was charged with Domestic Violence and had to appear in a Franklin County Court of Law. After much deliberation and negotiation over 6 months, the case was dismissed.

The Meranda Law Firm was able to successfully negotiate a case dismissal for a teenage girl who was charged with an OVI as well as felony drug possession.