Felony Attorney in Columbus
Are You Facing Felony Criminal Charges?
Most of us understand that felony charges involve serious crimes that can lead to grievous consequences; but just how much of an impact can a conviction have on your future? The truth is that prison sentences can be hard to avoid if you are convicted of a felony offense, as well as steep fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record that will negatively impact your future.
What is your next step if you've been arrested? Contact a Columbus felony lawyer from our firm for defense today.
Types of Felony Charges Against Which We Defend in Ohio
Although felonies can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the federal government defines them as crimes punishable by at least one year in prison, all the way up to the death penalty, depending on the offense.
If you have a previous misdemeanor criminal record, that can also lead to a repeat misdemeanor offense being charged as a felony. In addition to lengthy prison sentences, fines, and probation, you may also be subject to restrictions on your right to own a firearm, community service requirements, loss of your privilege to drive, restrictions on financial aid and educational opportunities, and future difficulty in finding employment opportunities in many lines of work.
Common examples of criminal activity considered to be felonies can include:
Ohio Felony Classifications & Penalties
In Ohio, felony offenses are classified based on the seriousness of the crime and the potential punishment. Ohio has five felony classifications, ranging from the least serious (fifth-degree felony) to the most serious (first-degree felony).
Here is a brief overview of the felony classifications in Ohio:
- First-Degree Felony: This is the most serious felony offense in Ohio. It includes crimes like murder, aggravated murder, and rape. The punishment for a first-degree felony in Ohio is imprisonment for a term of 3 to 11 years and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
- Second-Degree Felony: This includes offenses such as voluntary manslaughter, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. The punishment for a second-degree felony in Ohio is imprisonment for a term of 2 to 8 years and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
- Third-Degree Felony: This includes crimes like aggravated assault, robbery, and certain drug offenses. The punishment for a third-degree felony in Ohio is imprisonment for a term of 9 months to 5 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
- Fourth-Degree Felony: This includes offenses such as theft of a motor vehicle, forgery, and certain drug offenses. The punishment for a fourth-degree felony in Ohio is imprisonment for a term of 6 to 18 months and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
- Fifth-Degree Felony: This is the least serious felony offense in Ohio. It includes crimes like breaking and entering, theft, and drug possession. The punishment for a fifth-degree felony in Ohio is imprisonment for a term of 6 to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Lastly, you could be sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, certain sex crimes involving minors younger than 13 years of age, kidnapping with sexual motivation, and other serious offenses.
Keep in mind, these are just general guidelines, and the actual punishment for a specific offense can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, the defendant's criminal history, and other factors.
Work One-on-One with a Premier Attorney
Without doubt, you will need the assistance of a criminal defense legal team that is not only well-versed in procedure and experienced in negotiation and litigation, but consists of Columbus felony attorneys who are truly concerned about protecting your rights and best interests. We at The Meranda Law Firm LTD have more 15 years of legal experience and will work closely with you, involving you in the decision-making process. We willl ensure that you are kept fully informed and are well-communicated with. You can trust our team to provide you with personalized attention and the skilled legal representation you need during this difficult time.
Facing felony charges? Call our Columbus felony attorney at The Meranda Law Firm LTD to schedule your free initial consultation and get started on your defense today.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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I am very happy with The Meranda Law Firm. I hired Mr. Meranda to help me with a case and i am very pleased with the outcome. I would recommend him to everybody he's a very good lawyer.- Kristina Poulton
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I would give The Meranda Law Firm a 10 out of 10 for the pre-case advice, the genuine concern about his client, and the time and effort that was put into the case from beginning to the end. If there is anytime in the future I would need an attorney Zach has earned my business. Thank you Mr. Meranda for all that you covered and all that you helped me with.- Andrew
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I hired Mr. Meranda to represent me in a case and he did an excellent job. I am very pleased with the results of the case. Mr. Meranda was very professional and honest. He's is definitely a straight shooter. Thank you Mr. Meranda.- Aaron Jacks
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I have nothing but good things to say about Meranda Law Firm, more so Zack. He was a very professional attorney. Made sure that I knew what was going on and that I understood everything. He seemed to be very involved in the case doing what he could to get the best results. Most importantly Zach always made me feel comfortable and was very good about communicating with me. I would recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone needing legal advice or any legal help.- Alexandria Trejo
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Zach Meranda is very professional and really seemed to care about my case! Very friendly, and explained everything so I understood exactly what was going on. Answered all of my questions and never judged. He was great!!! I would recommend him to anyone who wants a great attorney. Can’t thank him enough.- Anonymous
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Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
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Professional, upfront, attentive, most of all comforting in the fact that the communication was clear. Never a doubt by always respectful. Admired the standard in which the company, more so Zach, displayed. I was so impressed and would if needed use his services again.- Anonymous
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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Should I be worried if I am innocent?The short answer to this question is yes. Our legal system, though endowed with powerful rights and time-tested procedures, is far from perfect. Proclaiming yourself innocent is far from a legal defense, and you will need the assistance of an experienced attorney to gather information and refute evidence. It is a sad fact that innocent people are sometimes convicted of crimes they did not commit. If you have been arrested, a team member from The Meranda Law Firm LTD, serving both Columbus and Newark, can go to immediate work on constructing a strong defense and on seeking to have unfounded charges dropped.
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What important legal rights am I entitled to?If you find yourself crossways with the law, you have important rights that must be protected. First, you have the right to be informed of your rights by police should you be arrested. You have the right to remain silent, which can help you avoid self-incrimination. You also have the right to avoid subjection to an unreasonable search and seizure. Perhaps most importantly is your right to an attorney, and should you face criminal investigation or arrest, you should be in immediate contact with a Columbus criminal defense attorney for knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel.
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Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?When you are facing a criminal charge, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, your future stands at serious risk. Not only do you face the prospect of jail time, fines, and probation, but if you are convicted you will also carry with you a permanent criminal record that can make such things as obtaining employment, educational opportunities and housing problematic. A lawyer can make sure that your legal rights are well-protected and that a strong defense is mounted on your behalf. Going it alone in the criminal justice system can put you in peril of many unwanted consequences.
