Murder Defense Lawyer in Columbus
Get an Aggressive Defense Against Your Charges
There are fewer criminal charges that can shake one's life as severely as the accusations of manslaughter or murder. You may be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, or confusion during this time, but the good news is that you are not alone. Knowing that your future and freedom are at stake, your first call should be to a Columbus criminal lawyer who is fully committed to protecting your rights and best interests.
You need the strongest defense possible when faced with such serious charges. Our firm was named to the list of Ohio & Kentucky Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™ and was awarded the Avvo Clients' Choice for 2012 in criminal defense law. This goes to show how hard we work on our client's behalf and how successful we have been in handling their criminal defense cases. We can contest your murder or manslaughter charges and work to secure the best outcome for your situation.
What penalties do I face for a conviction?
Murder is the most serious offense in Ohio, carrying the threat of the death penalty for offenders. Ensure you have the vigorous defense of a Columbus, OH criminal defense attorney by calling The Meranda Law Firm LTD as soon as possible. We know how to fight your charges!
For a murder conviction, the prosecution will need to prove one of the following:
- You intentionally caused the death of another person;
- While attempting to commit a violent felony, you cased another person's death; or
- With a former record, you caused a death while committing any crime.
You can be charged with an elevated aggravated murder charge if it can be proved that:
- You premeditated an act which would kill another person;
- You caused a death while committing or attempting to commit a felony;
- You caused the death of someone under 13 years of age; or
- You intentionally killed a police officer in the line of duty.
Punishments for murder depend largely on the details of the case. A murder conviction typically carries anywhere from 15 years to life in prison with a $15,000 fine. Aggravated murder is punishable by a $25,000 fine and either a life sentence or the death penalty. Even attempted murder can put you behind bars for up to 11 years.
Get the Legal Defense You Need to Maintain Your Freedom
Regardless of what you may be accused of, you have the legal right to a strong defense and The Meranda Law Firm LTD is committed to providing that for clients just like you. Allow our team to aggressively advocate on your behalf and work to make sure your voice is heard in court. Your livelihood and future are at risk unless you take swift action to protect your name.
Contact a Columbus criminal defense attorney from our firm immediately to begin your defense.
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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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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We are very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Zach Meranda. The outcome was positive and he made us feel secure in an out of control situation. Felt glad to have him defending us and having his common sense approach to our case. We would recommend his services to anyone in need.- Anonymous
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There are three reasons I recommend Zachuary Meranda if you are arrested for DUI. First off, he is a straight shooter. Never did he sugar coat my situation. Second, he handled everything while keeping me informed and walked me through everything as it progressed. Third, he got me the result- NO DUI!!! Thanks Zak!- Shane Dolen
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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
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Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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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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Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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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
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.