Assault Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio
An assault conviction in Ohio can result in years of prison time and decades of financial obligation. If someone has accused you of threatening him or her with violence, being negligent in failing to protect them from injury, recklessly endangering them, or harming them in a sexual way, you need legal representation from Leist Warner.
What Does ‘Assault’ Mean in Legal Terms?
Unlike many states, Ohio does not make a clear distinction between the crimes of assault and battery. Rather, § 2903.13 of the Ohio Revised Code states:
(A) No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn.
(B) No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn.
This means that both making someone fear for their safety and actually hurting them can leave you facing assault charges. Sexual battery, which includes all forms of coerced and non-consensual sex that do not meet the stricter definition of rape, also falls under the broad category of assault in Ohio.
Are There Different Types of Assault?
Yes. Ohio law recognizes simple assault, negligent assault, felony assault, and aggravated assault. Without going too deeply into specifics, a fistfight or online bullying might bring simple assault charges, while a car accident or intentionally ignoring safety regulations could bring negligent assault charges. Both of these kinds of assaults typically get prosecuted as misdemeanors, meaning the maximum criminal penalties for each initial conviction could be 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Aggravated assaults get categorized as felonies. “Aggravated” indicates special circumstances pertained when a serious injury occurred.
Specific charges and higher penalties for aggravated assaults apply when the victim is a law enforcement official, unborn baby, emergency responder (e.g., firefighter, EMT), school employee or youth coach, or court or correctional professional. Additionally, sexually assaulting a child, shooting someone, or putting a sexual partner at risk by intentionally not disclosing your HIV-positive status automatically counts as felony, aggravated assault in Ohio.
Depending on the identity of the victim, the extent of the injuries inflicted, and the intent of the perpetrator, a felony assault conviction in Ohio can result in up to 11 years in prison, a criminal fine of as much as $20,000, and a court order to make monetary restitution to the person who got hurt.
Do Not Ask if You Need a Columbus Assault Defense Attorney
Your freedom, professional license, citizenship rights, and reputation are at stake from the moment you know you have been accused of assault. Beginning at the first minute of the first day police and investigators get involved, you need a legal champion in your corner, representing your best interests and protecting your rights as a defendant. Leist Warner’s Columbus sexual battery lawyers and assault attorneys possess the experience and expertise to review all the evidence and keep prosecutors honest. Contact us today by calling (614) 222-1000 or filling out this web form. We offer no-cost case evaluations, and we may be able to help you.
