Cleveland Criminal Defense Lawyer

At HMW Law, our attorneys handle both civil cases, such as personal injury claims, and criminal cases, such as felonies and homicide. These cases are very different and are handled by different courts. A criminal case is brought by a state prosecutor against an individual who is being accused of committing a crime. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it is the prosecutor’s job to produce enough evidence to prove the defendant did indeed commit the offenses that the state is accusing them of. The consequences for a criminal conviction typically include jail or prison time and fines. In contrast, a civil case (such as a personal injury case) is brought by a plaintiff to a civil court. The plaintiff is seeking damages compensation for the losses the defendant has allegedly caused them. If the plaintiff can successfully prove their case to a civil court, they may receive monetary compensation for their losses.

If you have been charged with a crime, you may naturally be feeling scared and worried about what will happen next. In this situation, it may be difficult to remember that being charged with a crime does not automatically mean you will be convicted – especially with a skilled criminal defense attorney on your side. The sooner you reach out to a criminal defense lawyer, the sooner your attorney can start working on your case in order to get your charges reduced or even dismissed whenever possible.

In Ohio, criminal offenses are classified according to their severity. A misdemeanor is considered a less serious type of crime. Common types of misdemeanor offenses include petty theft of items valued at less than $500, reckless driving, passing bad checks, or driving with a suspended license. A misdemeanor conviction may result in fines and may or may not lead to jail time. In contrast, a felony offense is much more serious and includes crimes such as murder, manslaughter, drug trafficking, gun-related charges, and assault. A felony conviction may typically result in penalties such as prison time and fines.

If you filed an insurance claim after being injured in an accident caused by a negligent party and discovered that your claim was denied, your first step should be to request a written explanation from the insurance company with the reasons why they denied your claim. Once you receive their letter, you should contact a personal injury attorney right away to discuss your case. Your attorney can help you negotiate with the insurance company, file an appeal, or advise you on the feasibility of choosing litigation for your case.

In both personal injury and criminal cases, it is possible to act as your own attorney and represent yourself. However, it is rarely advisable to do so. For instance, if you are seeking compensation for your injuries after an accident that was not your fault, you will be dealing with an enormous amount of tasks – such as handling insurance phone calls, filling out forms, and gathering evidence to support your case – all while you are trying to recover from your injuries. Your chances of securing a favorable outcome are greatly reduced without the legal knowledge and skills an attorney brings to the table. Even if you are unsure whether you want to hire an attorney for your case, reach out to HMW Law to discuss your situation and learn your options.