Attorney Tony Abboud Selected to 2019 Super Lawyers

Assault charges can vary greatly, depending on the circumstance of the crime and the harm inflicted on the supposed victim. If you are accused of assault, it is important that you act fast and find out what you can about the charges laid against you, and seek competent legal counsel to begin building a solid defense. An assault conviction could lead to jail or prison time, probation, community service, costly fines, a criminal record, and other penalties that could severely impact your life. But, what exactly can you do to protect yourself from assault charges? When faced with criminal charges, even for violent crimes like assault, there are a number of ways your attorney might build your defense. 1. Prove Self-Defense Considered one of the most common types of defense against assault charges, claiming the defendant’s actions were in self-defense is one way in which he or she could seek the dismissal of all charges. To prove the accused acted in self-defense, he or she must have had the threat of unlawful harm against them, an honest fear of that harm being inflicted, and there must have been no chance of escaping the situation. Also, they accused must not have provoked or harmed the other person involved. Similarly to self-defense, to prove the defendant acted in defense of others he or she must have had a genuine fear of harm to another person, or group of people, to justify the resulting actions. 2. Defense of Property There are also laws in place to protect those accused of assault if they were defending their home or property. The force used must be considered reasonable in comparison to the threat, which is open to the interpretation of the court. This defense is usually used when a homeowner defends his or her property against invasion or theft but can be applied to other situations as well. 3. Prove Consent Another way to defend against assault charges is to prove the supposed victim consented to the acts in question. If the act was consented to, it is not legally considered assault. Some courts are more strict with this defense than others, sometimes considering any act seen as harmful to be a violation of public policy. 4. Prove Innocence If the accused is innocent, his or her case could be defended through the use of an alibi. If the defendant was elsewhere when the crime was committed, this would most likely prove innocence. A criminal defense attorney may also be able to prove innocence by showing any reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the accused. 5. Plea Bargain In certain circumstances, a plea bargain proves to be the best course of action, especially when other options could result in heftier penalties. When the stakes are particularly high and other defense options are unavailable to you, it is sometimes best for the defense attorney to discuss alternatives with the prosecution, where the two may be able to agree to lesser charges with a lighter sentence if the accused pleads guilty. While all of these defensive strategies can be strong in their own right, each case is different and should be evaluated by an experienced legal professional. At Gounaris Abboud, LPA our criminal defense attorneys will review the circumstances of your case and come up with the best course of action to effectively defend your case and protect your future. To get started,contact Gounaris Abboud, LPA for a free case evaluation.

Sobriety checkpoints are a tool commonly used by law enforcement in an attempt to spot individuals who are driving under the influence (DUI). As with any police encounter, it is critical to understand your rights in order to stay safe. If you make the wrong move at a checkpoint, you could end up in trouble with the law, even if you have done nothing wrong. Below, we outline what to do and what not to do in the event that you find yourself stopped at a DUI checkpoint. What Not to Do During a DUI Stop Do not consent to a vehicle search: Unless the police possess probable cause or a warrant, they require your consent to perform a search of you or your vehicle. In the case of a routine traffic stop, drivers are typically not singled out and thus it is extremely unlikely that police will have the legal foundation to conduct a search. Telling a police officer “no” may be uncomfortable or may even feel unlawful but you are well within your rights to do so. Do not take a field sobriety test: If the officer has reason to believe that you have been drinking, you may be asked to perform a field sobriety test. The three tests commonly administered are the one leg stand test, the walk and turn test, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. What law enforcement may not want you to know is that all three tests are optional and you cannot be punished for the refusal to participate. Sobriety tests are not meant for a driver to prove their innocence. Do not take the breathalyzer: A breathalyzer given before an arrest is another example of a police action that requires your consent. While it is possible that denying this test may raise an officer’s suspicion, if he or she is planning to arrest you, there may be little you can do to stop it. Participation only serves to give the police evidence to build a case against you. It is important to note that the chemical tests given after an arrest are a separate animal. Refusal of a chemical test at the police station can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. What to Do During a DUI Stop Limit what you say: If an officer pulls you over at a DUI stop, it is likely that he or she will ask questions about what you have been doing. Remember, law enforcement may be looking for signs of driver intoxication and any information you give them may be used against you. It can be best to limit what you say or to remain silent. If the police continue their line of questioning, you can state that you are exercising your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Be polite: While you do not have to answer every question a police officer asks, it can be helpful to remain courteous. At the very least, by remaining calm and collected, you can show the officer that you have nothing to hide. Furthermore, it can reduce any chance that your behavior will be interpreted as resistant or aggressive. At a DUI stop, cars are typically chosen randomly and police may want to check in with you and move on to the next person in line. Remaining calm can help the process to move along quickly. Comply with basic requests: While you do not have to perform field sobriety tests or answer detailed questions about your business, you should cooperate with basic requests. For example, if an officer asks you to provide identifying information, you should do so. However, when law enforcement asks to take actions such as a search of your vehicle, you can withhold your consent. Contact an attorney: In the event that you are accused of DUI or another crime as the result of a sobriety checkpoint, do not waste any time in securing legal representation. A knowledgeable attorney will know your rights and can advise you on your legal options for overcoming any charges you face. You have the right to an attorney and you do not have to deal with the police without your lawyer present. Get the DUI Defense You Deserve! While following the tips above can help you to stay on the right side of the law, if you are charged with driving under the influence, it is vital to take legal action immediately. You may have only several days in which to contest a license suspension and our Dayton DUI attorney can help you to protect your driving privileges. At Gounaris Abboud, LPA, we have substantial experience helping clients to defend their rights and have been named to the list of Top 100 DUI Attorneys in Ohio for our legal ability. Get the aggressive defense you need and contact our firm today. Call 937-222-1515 and request a FREE case evaluation to learn about your legal options

In recent months, and even in recent years, there has been much media attention on gun laws all across the country. Despite the news feeds and stories about firearms, their responsible handling, and their potential dangers, clarity on actual gun laws is difficult to find. In order to help our clients make sense of pertinent firearm laws and any weapons charges they might be facing, our Dayton criminal defense attorneys at Gounaris Abboud have compiled some of the basic information that should be known by everyone in Ohio here in this blog. Please give it a read if you want to know Ohio State’s gun possession, permit, and carry laws. If you need legal representation, you are encouraged to contact us without delay to set up your free case evaluation as soon as possible. Ohio Gun Laws 101 Ohio State legislation currently (circa March 2016) does not require a permit to purchase a rifle, shotgun, or handgun, nor does it require mandatory registration for any such firearm. Owners also do not require licensing, and only handguns require a permit to carry openly in public. If you want to carry a concealed weapon of any kind, either on your person or in your automobile, you will need a specific concealed weapon permit. In order to qualify for a concealed weapon permit, you must be: 21 years of age or older. A legal United States resident. Live in Ohio State for at least 45 days. Live in your specific Ohio State county for at least 30 days. Able to complete a firearm safety and training course. Able to prove you read a firearms safety manual provided by local sheriff departments. In order to be eligible for your concealed weapon permit, you must also not be: A fugitive of the law. Convicted of or facing felony charges. Convicted of or facing misdemeanor charges involving violence or drugs. Convicted of resisting arrest within the last 10 years. Considered mentally dangerous. Subject to a current order of protection or restraint. Ohio State will also recognize an official concealed carry license or permit from any other state in the union. If you are convicted of carrying a concealed firearm with no valid permit, you could face: $1,000 fine Six months in jail Firearm safety retraining Our Lawyers Can Help If you still have questions about gun laws in Ohio, or if need help with a legal issue relevant to a weapon you own or control, call 937-222-1515 to connect with our Dayton weapons charges lawyers.

Gounaris Abboud, LPA is proud to announce the inclusion of its founding partners, Attorneys Tony Abboud and Nick Gounaris, to the 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers® list! This great distinction is reserved for only 5% of attorneys in each state and is awarded in recognition of a lawyer’s unparalleled advocacy and client satisfaction. This marks the second year in a row that Attorneys Abboud and Gounaris have been recognized with this distinction. Requirements for Super Lawyers® Recognition In order to be considered by Super Lawyers®, an attorney must demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and excellence in their field and pass through an extensive vetting procedure. Nominated lawyers must pass each step of the qualification process, with only the most highly esteemed and accomplished attorneys being approved. Attorneys are evaluated on the following characteristics: Track record of success Legal experience Published works Education and employment history Standing amongst peers Client testimonials Community involvement Each of these attributes is given a different point value by both an independent review board and by fellow attorneys in within the legal community. Those with the highest point values are included on the Super Lawyers® list, with different categories based on state and practice area. This honor further proves our firm’s unmatched commitment to providing our clients with premier legal representation – no matter the size nor complexity of the case at hand. We are proud to have Attorneys Abboud and Gounaris within our ranks and look forward to their future contributions to our firm’s success. If you are in need of award-winning legal assistance, our top-rated Dayton lawyers can help you get tackle your legal struggles head-on and fight for a positive outcome on your behalf. To find out how we can help, call 937-222-1515 or request a free consultation today!

Gounaris Abboud, LPA is excited to announce that former Federal Special Agent Tom Buchenroth has joined our team as an in-house investigator. Our firm has always had an intense focus on gathering the most evidence to support or defend our clients. With Mr. Buchenroth’s assistance, we will be even better and more efficient at this task, pushing us further ahead of the competition and giving you even stronger representation than ever before. Special Agent Tom Buchenroth worked closely with federal prosecutors and other officials for the FBI and DEA for years. In fact, he personally has more than 25 years of experience investigating a variety of criminal cases, including, but not limited to: Drug crimes Drug conspiracy cases Money laundering charges Unlawful gun charges Tax Charges White Collar Crimes His experience provides our clients with an impressive insight to the legal process from the first step to the last. Our new specialist will be of great assistance to our clients by applying his unique talents to any number of tasks, such as: In-depth key witness interviews Comprehensive trial preparations Thorough evidence analysis and evaluation Material and document discovery Mr. Tom Buchenroth is truly a tremendous asset to our law firm and we are so appreciative of his talents. We cannot express enough how proud we are to have partnered with him. If you are facing charges or have been arrested, contact a Dayton criminal defense attorney at Gounaris Abboud, LPA today and ask how we, and Mr. Buchenroth, can help you. We do offer free, initial consultations to those inquiring.

Gounaris Abboud, LPA is thrilled to announce the inclusion of our firm’s partners, Attorneys Nicholas G. Gounaris, Jeremiah Denslow, and Antony Abboud, in the 2015 Super Lawyers® list for Criminal Defense. In order to be recognized by Super Lawyers®, an attorney must illustrate exemplary skill in the courtroom and have their efforts lauded by their peers. With over 13 million people nationwide reached by the Super Lawyers® lists and various publications, our firm is proud of our partners who are recognized for their hard work. Super Lawyers® Qualifications Super Lawyers® is a rating service that highlights attorneys from 70 areas of legal practice that have reached both a high level of professional achievement and peer recognition. An attorney must pass each step of the qualification process before being included on a Super Lawyers® list. Lawyers are selected by being nominated by their peers or independently selected by a research team. Less than 5% of all attorneys in each state are selected for honors. In order to be included on a Super Lawyers® list, an attorney will be evaluated upon their: Trial settlements and outcomes Legal experience Honors and awards Education and employment background Lectures and writings Licenses and certifications Position in law firm Professional activities Representative clients Community service work Each of these factors are first weighed and evaluated by an independent review board. Attorneys who receive the highest point values will be asked to rate other lawyers in their field. Depending on the firm size, the highest ratings from both the independent review and peer rating will be used to create a Super Lawyers® list. All of the founding partners of the firm have consistently received high accolades in the legal community for their skill in the courtroom. Longtime residents of Ohio, Attorneys Gounaris, Denslow, and Abboud have experience as criminal prosecutors, bringing their knowledge of how the court punishes crimes to those they defend. In addition, all remain deeply involved with the Ohio legal community, staying up to date on important legal trends and information. Have you been charged with a crime? You deserve criminal defense attorneys who know how to prove your innocence and protect your freedom! Call Gounaris Denslow Abboud Co. LPA for a free case evaluation right away.

Antony Abboud has been selected for inclusion in the 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list under the Criminal Defense practice area. While up to five percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Ohio Super Lawyers® list, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list in the entire state. Mr. Abboud has since been voted to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list consecutively from 2011-2014. Mr. Abboud is also a 10.0 “Superb” rating by Avvo, which is an attorney rating website recognized around the nation and has he has also been honored by The National Association Trial Lawyers as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer.

The legal team at Gounaris Abboud, LPA is proud to announce that our firm was recently successful in securing a protection order on behalf of our client. Our client asked the court to issue a protective order for her juvenile daughter who lives in her home. It was a uniquely successful case because normally, the Greene County Juvenile Court only issues protection orders for 100 feet or less; furthermore, they typically won’t force someone to move out of their home as a result of the protection order. In the case that our firm represented, however, we were able to accomplish both. Not only did we obtain a 500-foot protection order, but the opposing part was forced to move out of the home. The ultimate goal of the litigation was to get the family out of the neighborhood because of the irresponsible parents and unruly children, but we were initially unsure of whether or not the court would grant our request. Fortunately, the court did just that after two days of trial. Our client was happy with the outcome of the case, as was most of the neighborhood. If you have been faced with a similar situation, we encourage you to seek legal counsel from a Dayton criminal defense lawyer at our firm. The team at Gounaris Abboud, LPA offers more than four decades of collective courtroom experience, so you can trust that your case will be in capable hands. Not to mention, our firm is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), setting us apart from our competitors. All you have to do is call today at 937-222-1515 or fill out a free case evaluation form online to get started.