Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
In 1996, I received my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 1999 I received my Juris Doctor degree and graduated Cum Laude from Cleveland State University, Cleveland- Marshall College of Law. I am deeply interested in the criminal justice system and specifically the rights the Constitution provides to us as citizens. I am impressed at how well our founding fathers designed our Constitution. Both the United States and Ohio Constitutions guarantee certain personal, civil, and political rights and secure us from invasion by our government or any of its agencies.
As a criminal defense lawyer, I have made it my goal to ensure that my clients are given the benefit of all their legal rights, secured by the constitution and statutes. If you are questioned, stopped, cited, or arrested by the police, it is very important that you seek legal advice from a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible! Ideally, you should seek legal advice before you are even questioned. It makes a criminal defense attorney’s job much easier when they can assist in pre arrest strategies. You may refuse to answer any questions and contact a criminal defense attorney if the answer would tend to incriminate you. If you try to cooperate by answering questions without a criminal defense attorney's advice, you may create difficulties for your criminal defense attorney in defending youlater. Generally, if you seek legal advice early in the process, it will aid your criminal defense attorney in your defense.
I handle all types of criminal charges and traffic violations, including:
- Drunk Driving, DWI, DUI, OVI
- Traffic Violations, Reckless Driving
- Speeding
- Driving with a suspended drivers license, DUS, NOL
- Driving without insurance, FRA
- Drug Offenses
- Possession and Sell of Drugs
In order to zealously represent my clients, I invest the time interviewing witnesses, reviewing the case file, investigating backgrounds and investigating the circumstances of the arrest. If you have been charged with a DUI, OVI, DWI or other traffic violation, such as driving with a suspended drivers license DUS or driving without insurance, it is important to know that the government must have a valid reason to stop you. I will investigate the stop to determine if it is proper. Bad stops, arrests, and searches do occur.
Being charged with a DUI, OVI, DWI, drug offense or other criminal charge is a serious legal matter. Protect yourself and your rights by hiring criminal defense attorney. You can expect me, as your criminal defense lawyer, to fight for your rights. I strive to make sure that the evidence against you is appropriately collected and preserved and that all potential criminal defenses are pursued.
If you are arrested or charged with a crime, I have outlined the basic criminal procedure you may encounter. Pursuant to the Criminal Rules of Procedure if you are arrested for a criminal offense, you should be brought before the Court without unnecessary delay. (Criminal Rule 4). You are entitled to a copy and reading of the charges against you. If the officer did not release you after serving a summons, you can request the judge set a bail for your release. You are also entitled to a preliminary hearing if you have not already been indicted in a felony case. (Criminal Rule 5).
The arraignment stage is generally the first time you are brought before the court to face the charges. (Ohio Revised Code 2943.02). If you do not have an attorney, courts will likely give you a brief continuance to speak with and hire an attorney. (Ohio Revised Code 2937.21). You should seek the legal counsel before you enter a plea. I receive numerous calls from people who entered a no contest plea and the judge or magistrate found them guilty and proceeded to sentence them. They entered a no contest plea with the mistaken belief that they would be able to argue the merits of the case with the hope that the court would dismiss the charge(s). Thus, it is important to seek legal representation before entering a plea.
If you enter a not guilty plea, most courts will set the matter for a pretrial or your attorney can contact the prosecutor’s office to schedule a pretrial meeting. (Criminal Rule 17.1). If you have not sought legal counsel by the pretrial stage it is important to do so because there are certain pretrial motion deadlines that could jeopardize your case if they are missed. (Criminal Rule 12).
You have a right to a jury trial in serious offense cases and you must demand a jury within a given time period in order to preserve your jury right in petty offense cases. (Criminal Rule 23). If you are found guilty by the judge or jury, the imposition of sentence shall be imposed without unnecessary delay. (Criminal Rule 32).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on my Toll Free # (866) 334-6345 to discuss your criminal, traffic, DUI, OVI or juvenile case, or submit your questions through my Web site. Also, feel free to contact my office and request a pamphlet on what you should know about Your Rights if questioned stopped, or arrested by the police.