The City of Waynesville does not have a municipal court but rather has a Mayor’s Court located at 1400 Lytle Road, Waynesville, Ohio. Mayor’s Courts have the authority to hear cases involving traffic and criminal offenses in alleged violation of local ordinances and state traffic laws. Magistrate Robert Kaufman presides over the Court.
A Waynesville, Ohio, criminal defense attorney can answer any of your questions and help protect your constitutional rights. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience helping individuals facing criminal charges.
If you need advice after receiving criminal charges, contact our office online or call (937) 222-1515 today to schedule a free initial consultation. We are a criminal defense law firm you can trust.
Cases Our Waynesville, Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyers Handle
Any criminal charge can impact your livelihood and your future. You cannot afford to take criminal allegations lightly. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending time in jail or paying thousands of dollars in costs and fees.
Weapon Charges
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution gives U.S. citizens the right to own and carry a firearm, with certain limitations.
Ohio prohibits possession of a firearm for people who:
- Were charged with or convicted of a violent felony;
- Were charged with or convicted of a felony drug offense that involved illegal drug possession, sale, distribution, or trafficking;
- Are fugitives from justice;
- Are deemed mentally incompetent, mentally defective, or mentally ill by the court;
- Were ordered by the court to live in a mental institution;
- Suffer from chronic alcoholism;
- Suffer from drug dependency or are in danger of suffering from a drug dependency.
If you are facing weapons charges, contact our criminal defense lawyers in Waynesville, OH.
Driving Under the Influence Charges
Ohio imposes severe consequences on those convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even a first DUI conviction is considered a first-degree misdemeanor.
A first-degree misdemeanor sentence includes:
- A mandatory minimum 3-day jail sentence
- A maximum jail sentence of 6 months
- A fine of up to $1,075
- Mandatory attendance at a driver’s intervention program for three days
Our criminal defense attorneys in Waynesville, Ohio can listen to the details of your case and determine whether a valid defense applies to your case. In some cases, a legal defense may help you get your charges reduced or dismissed.
Drug Charges
Drug crimes vary widely based on what substance you are accused of having, how much of it, and what you are accused of doing with it.
Drug crimes you may be charged with include:
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Trafficking of controlled substances
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Drug or paraphernalia possession charges typically carry the least severe consequences when compared to other drug crimes like trafficking. However, even a paraphernalia possession conviction can lead to negative consequences.
Section 2925.14 of the Ohio Revised Code outlaws individuals from knowingly using drug paraphernalia or possessing drug paraphernalia with the intention of using it. Possession of paraphernalia is considered a minor misdemeanor or a fourth-degree misdemeanor, depending on the controlled substance the paraphernalia was allegedly used for.
If you are facing criminal charges, contact a Waynesville, Ohio, criminal defense attorney today.
Theft Charges
The consequences of a theft crime often depend on the type and value of the property that was allegedly taken.
Forms of theft crimes include charges such as:
- Shoplifting
- Receiving stolen property
- Larceny
- Car theft
- Destruction of property
For example, a receiving stolen property conviction in Ohio starts as a first-degree misdemeanor if the property was valued below $1,000. If the property received is valued between $1,000 and $7,500, the crime is considered a fifth-degree felony. A first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio carries the potential of up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, while a fifth-degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
Contact Gounaris Abboud to Talk to a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Waynesville, Ohio
A defense lawyer can provide a vital advantage when you are facing criminal charges by:
- Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your case
- Negotiating for a favorable plea agreement
- Determining whether a legal defense applies to your case
One of our managing partners, Nick G. Gounaris, is a seasoned litigator with a prior history as a prosecutor, magistrate, and acting judge.
He has earned recognition from the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDA) as a “Nationally Ranked Top 10” in 2014 and 2015, and he was named a recipient of the “10 Best Client Satisfaction” Award for Criminal Law by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys in 2014 and 2015.
Contact our office today at (937) 222-1515 or send an online message to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.