Ravenna Address
121 East Main St
Ravenna OH 44266
Ravenna Phone Number 330.296.8000
Medina Address
60 Public Square, Suite 102
Medina OH 44256
Medina Phone Number 330.722.5151

 

In Ohio, domestic violence is generally defined as knowingly causing, or attempting to cause, physical harm to a family or household member.

Domestic violence is usually a first degree misdemeanor, unless the defendant has a prior domestic violence, in which case it becomes a fifth degree felony. Threatening domestic violence is a fourth degree misdemeanor.

It is the policy of most judges in domestic violence cases to restrain the defendant from having contact with any alleged victims, and it is not unusual for the judge to order the defendant out of the residence, even if the defendant owns the residence.

At the initial court appearance in a domestic violence case, the judge will usually ask the alleged victim if he or she desires a protection order against the defendant. When granted, the order often includes minor children.

  

Most jurisdictions have adopted a policy requiring officers to make an arrest in a domestic violence scenario any time the police are called out, regardless of who called the police.

Prosecutors take the viewpoint that it is their decision to prosecute, not the alleged victim's decision. Accordingly, prosecutors will often attempt to compel the testimony of the alleged victim, sometimes against their will.

Prosecutors will not dismiss the charges just because the alleged victim expresses a desire not to pursue the case.
 

If you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Portage County, Summit County or Medina County, or elsewhere in Northeast Ohio, contact Attorney Dan Weisenburger right now at 330-296-8000. Attorney Weisenburger routinely defends criminal charges in the following courts:

  • Portage County, Ohio: Ravenna Municipal Court, Kent Municipal Court, Portage County Court of Common Pleas, Portage County Juvenile Court.
  • Summit County, Ohio: Akron Municipal Court, Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court, Summit County Court of Common Pleas.
  • Medina County Ohio: Medina Municipal Court, Wadsworth Municipal Court, Medina Court of Common Pleas.
  • Trumbull County, Ohio: Newton Falls Municipal Court, Warren Municipal Court.
For a list of jurisdictions served by the municipal courts and county courts in Portage County, Medina County, Summit County and Trumbull County, click on the arrow.
All crimes in Ohio are strictly defined by law. For a list of definitions of the most common felony and misdemeanor offenses, click on the arrow.
Disclaimer: The ohiocrimelawyer.com website is designed for general information only. Any information on this site is not to be construed as formal legal advice on criminal or DUI defense, nor formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Persons accessing this site are encouraged to seek personal advice regarding their individual legal issues.
Copyright © 2007 Weisenburger & Gaeckle, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Last Modified: August 18, 2007 11:21 PM