Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio

Have you or a loved one been arrested or charged with a crime in Ohio?

If so, you’re likely looking for a criminal defense lawyer to represent you. 

If you’ve been arrested for a crime, the first thing you need to do is contact an experienced Dayton criminal defense attorney. 

At Gounaris Abboud, LPA, we have many years of experience fighting for the rights of our clients.

Our Ohio criminal defense lawyers are always ready to provide clients with aggressive and reliable representation.

If you’ve been charged with any of the following crimes, let our criminal lawyers fight for your right:

• Drug Charges
• OVI/ DUI Charges
• Weapon Charges
• Domestic Violence
• Theft Charges
• Assault Charges
• White Collar Crimes
• Sex Crimes
• Violent Crimes
• Juvenile Crimes
• Forgery
• Bench Warrants
• Appeals

If you’re facing any of the above criminal charges, hire an experienced Dayton criminal defense attorney for a devoted lawyer and personalized defense specific to your charges.

Why Choose Our Criminal Defense Lawyers?

Our criminal defense lawyers in Dayton are experienced in the courtroom and will make sure that you get the defense you deserve.

Give us a call or fill out an online form to start your defense today.

If you’re not ready, take a look at some commonly asked questions about criminal defense in Ohio below.

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

When facing criminal charges, your freedom is at stake.

Both misdemeanor and felony charges can be severe, so it is crucial to have knowledgeable representation.

To protect your future, you need an experienced Dayton criminal defense attorney to fight for your rights.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

With any criminal charge, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

A criminal defense lawyer understands the charges (and laws behind them) and the criminal defense process. Criminal defense attorneys always have your best interest at heart and fight for the best possible outcome.

What Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Do for Me?

A devoted criminal defense lawyer in Dayton will help you every step of the way in your trial and case process. 

Our firm has extensive experience with getting clients trials, innocent verdicts, and plea bargains. When you discuss your case with an attorney, they help you understand the following:

• The criminal charges filed against you;
• Possible defense strategies against the charges;
• Evidence to support your innocence;
• Possible plea deals;
• What you can expect at trial, should the case proceed to trial; and
• Possible punishments if convicted.

Research Dayton law firms and attorneys to decide which one is most qualified to represent you. Look at firms’ experience, how long they’ve practiced law and the verdicts of their previous cases. 

A reputable criminal defense attorney will be able to help you by:

• Minimizing the charges against you (for example, a felony to a misdemeanor);
• Reduce the punishments for the crime you were charged with (for example, probation instead of imprisonment);
• Crafting and perfecting a defense strategy that will win at trial.

What Can I Expect from a Preliminary Hearing in Ohio?

If you or a loved one faces felony charges in Ohio, you should know what to expect from a  preliminary hearing. 

When a defendant is charged with a felony in Ohio, a preliminary hearing takes place at the local municipal court.

A preliminary hearing determines if there is probable cause to hold the defendant and if the criminal case should move forward in the legal process.

For more information about what to expect in your Ohio preliminary hearing, watch the video below. 

What is the Criminal Defense Process in Ohio? 

If you or your loved one faces criminal charges in Dayton, Ohio, you need to know what to expect from the criminal defense process. As a basic overview of the process, an arrested defendant in Ohio will face the following: 

Criminal Booking

After an arrest, police take the defendant to the local precinct. 

Arraignment

Arraignment is a defendant’s first appearance in court.

The defendant can enter a plea about the charges against them at the arraignment. Do not plead guilty without first consulting with a Dayton, OH defense lawyer. 

Legal Discovery

After arraignment comes discovery. At this point, your attorney gains access to the evidence collected by the prosecution.

After reviewing the evidence, your Dayton criminal defense attorney makes a defense strategy. 

Plea Bargain

Few criminal cases make it to a full trial. During the plea bargain stage, your Dayton, OH criminal defense lawyer will negotiate a deal.

Pre-Trial Hearing

Between the arraignment and a criminal trial, there is at least one pre-trial hearing.

In a felony case, defendants get a preliminary hearing.

This is where the prosecution tries to prove that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

During this hearing, the prosecution must prove to the court that it has sufficient evidence to proceed with the case. 

Criminal Trial

You may have to take your case to trial. If you are going to trial, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. 

At Gounaris Abboud, LPA, our criminal defense lawyers in Dayton, Ohio are experienced advocates for our clients. 

Do not go up against prosecutors alone.

Seek professional support as soon as possible after an arrest.

How Long Will it Take to Resolve My Ohio Criminal Defense Case?

Most people want to get through the criminal process as quickly as possible. 

So how long does it take to resolve a criminal case in Ohio?

It depends on several factors, including the severity of the charges and the complexity of your case. For example, minor misdemeanor offenses can be resolved within a couple of months.

However, a felony trial involving a complex criminal charge can take years to resolve. 

Although you may want to resolve your criminal case quickly, you should never accept an unfair plea bargain.

Our top-rated criminal defense lawyers in Dayton, Ohio fight to protect your rights. We work to get your case resolved in an effective, efficient manner and make sure that you get the best results.

What is a Bond? How Do I Get a Bond in Ohio?

After police arrest a defendant in Ohio, the defendant is eligible for release if they post “bail” or receive a “bond”. A bond gets a defendant out of jail as the case progresses.

In Ohio, there are three different types of bonds: 

Recognizance Bonds

A recognizable bond allows the release of the defendant on their promise to appear for all of their scheduled hearings. In other words, no money or property is posted to the court. 

Cash Bonds

With a cash bond, the defendant (or a loved one) posts the bail funds. If the defendant shows up to all court dates, the court returns the bail funds. 

Surety Bonds

With a surety bond, the defendant gets the funds for their release through a third party. If you cannot afford to post a bond, then you may be able to work with a third-party bail bonding company. Keep in mind there are fees associated with getting a surety bond. 

If you have any questions about getting a bond for yourself or your loved one, our Dayton criminal defense lawyers are ready to help. We can help you take the proper steps to get your loved one out of jail so that they can defend their case.

What’s the Difference Between a Felony and Misdemeanor?

In Ohio, criminal offenses have two broad categories: felonies and misdemeanors. The difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the severity of the corresponding criminal penalties. 

Misdemeanors are less serious offenses. Some of the most common examples include petty theft, trespassing, and vandalism.

To be clear, being arrested for and charged with a misdemeanor in Ohio should not be viewed as a “minor” issue.

Certain misdemeanor offenses can be punished by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A misdemeanor conviction will also cost a defendant a clean criminal record.  

Felonies are more serious offenses—they often involve allegations of violence or other types of severe criminal misconduct. In Ohio, felonies are divided into five different classes.

The most serious is a first-degree felony. Generally, felony offenses carry the potential of significant jail time. In some cases, felonies are even subject to mandatory sentences.  

All criminal charges are serious. Being arrested and charged with a crime is stressful: you do not have to go through the process alone. If you or your loved one was charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense in Ohio, contact a Dayton criminal defense attorney for help.

What if I’m Being Charged at the Federal Level?

 Don’t let a federal charge ruin your future.

If you are convicted of a federal crime, you could face prison time, steep fines, and a lengthy probation sentence.

A federal conviction can also impact your personal life by having a criminal record attached to you for the rest of your life. Criminal records can have devastating effects on your relationships, your personal reputation, and your educational and job opportunities.

To avoid these life-long consequences, it is in your best interest to get an experienced Dayton criminal defense attorney on your side.

Don’t Wait to Get a Lawyer ― Protect Your Rights

If you are being investigated for a crime or contacted by a federal law enforcement agency, you need legal representation right away. 

Always speak to your Ohio federal crime attorney before giving any statements to law enforcement. Remember that your statements could be used against you in court.

It is crucial to have a Dayton criminal defense attorney who can help you with the following:

• Explain your legal rights during the investigation process;
• Gather evidence to prove your innocence;
• Minimize your punishment if convicted; and
• Determine and craft a strong defense.

Should I Accept a Plea Bargain or Take My Case to Trial?

One of the most common questions that our criminal defense lawyers in Dayton hear from people after an arrest is: should I take the plea bargain offered by the prosecutor? This is a complicated question that does not allow for easy answers. 

Whether you should accept a plea bargain will always depend on the specific circumstances of your case—including the charges in question, the evidence obtained by the prosecutor, the strength of their case, and the fairness of the deal. Never accept a plea bargain without speaking to your Dayton criminal defense attorney. 

Unfortunately, prosecutors do not always offer a fair plea bargain. It is always in your best interest to speak with an Ohio defense attorney. An attorney may be able to get you a better deal, reduce the charges, dismiss the charge, or pardon the charge.  

Can I Get a Crime Removed from My Record?

A criminal record can cause significant, long-term problems. Criminal information that comes up in a background check could make it hard to get a job or housing. 

In Ohio, certain criminal records can be sealed through a legal process called expungement. Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 2953.31), you may be eligible for expungement if:

• You were not sentenced to a mandatory prison term;
• You waited for a sufficient amount of time before applying for expungement; 
• You have no current criminal charges against you; and
• Removal of your conviction is not excluded by law. 

Getting a crime removed from your records in Ohio can be a complicated and confusing process. A defense lawyer with experience sealing criminal histories will be able to help you navigate the expungement process. 

If you have any questions about getting criminal records sealed or expunged, contact our criminal defense lawyers in Dayton, Ohio for help.

Work with Trial-Tested, Award-Winning Attorneys

Once you enter the criminal justice system facing the possibility of conviction, you need a skilled legal advocate to help you maneuver the process. With the help of a Dayton criminal defense lawyer from our firm, you can increase your chances of reaching a successful outcome. Our legal team is made up of former prosecutors and judges, so we know our way around the criminal justice system.

With many years of experience interpreting and understanding the laws regarding criminal defense, our office has successfully defended countless clients in virtually all types of misdemeanor and felony cases in juvenile court proceedings, state courts, and federal courts.

Read Real Reviews from Our Dayton Criminal Defense Clients

Contact a Dayton Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Gounaris Abboud has extensive experience in defending the rights of all our clients. When you hire an Ohio criminal defense lawyer from our firm, we promise you that we will fight passionately and effectively for your rights.

To schedule a free and confidential initial consultation, contact our Dayton criminal defense law firm today.

After reviewing your case with our criminal defense attorney, we can discuss possible strategies for your defense.