July 30, 2015

Maumee, Ohio is one of the largest suburbs of Toledo OH. Like a lot of places, the urban sprawl of Toledo OH has a high crime rate. However, if you have been charged with a crime in Maumee, Ohio, you are innocent until proven guilty. Being able to avoid a conviction can save your freedom and livelihood. It’s always important to hire a seasoned Toledo criminal lawyer if you have been charged with a crime. Below are just some of the reasons why.

1. The Consequences of a Conviction Can Be Severe

Being convicted of a crime in Ohio is serious business. Ohio is not a state that is lenient in regards to prosecuting crime. For example, a fourth drunk driving charge could result in:

• up to a year in jail
• up to a $10,000 fine
• a permanent license suspension

Serious felonies could result in even harsher punishments. An aggravated robbery, for example, could result in up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. To avoid the worst possibilities, you need a competent criminal attorney to present a proper defense in court.

2. Ohio Is a Capital Punishment State

However, time behind bars and large fines are not the worst of it. If you are implicated in someone else’s murder, there is a possibility you could be executed for your crime. Ohio is a death penalty state and has been since 1885. There is no political momentum in Ohio to change this anytime soon.

Being charged with a murder in Ohio could mean the end of your life. Over 100 people are currently on schedule to receive a lethal injection from the state. While there is a lengthy appeal process for a death penalty conviction, the best way to avoid receiving capital punishment is to be acquitted. You need a skilled criminal defense lawyer to do so.

3. Criminal Defense Lawyers Have the Right Experience

You may be tempted to hire a lawyer with a general practice. Some people even choose to represent their selves in court. However, this is a mistake in a criminal case. Criminal court is not the same as traffic court or small claims court. The stakes are much higher, and successfully navigating a case through criminal court can very complicated.

A criminal defense lawyer may need to do things like collect evidence, hire competent expert witnesses, cross examine the prosecution’s witnesses and make complex legal arguments. Even knowing how a jury is likely to react to certain arguments and evidence requires years of experience. It is not something that should be attempted by a novice. If you want the best result, you should choose an attorney that has experience in the Toledo area and knows the court system, judges and jury pool.

Overall, if you are charged with a crime in Maumee, Ohio, you should absolutely seek out the services of an experienced Toledo criminal lawyer. It will certainly be worth it if it protects you from the stiff penalties of a conviction.

Contact Michael E. Bryant’s Toledo, OH law office today to get the justice you deserve. Find Michael E. Bryant online at www.mebryantlaw.com, visit our law office in Toledo, OH on the second floor of 1119 Adams St. or call us at (419) 243-3922.