Can I Be Charged with Assault if it Was Self-Defense?

Can I Be Charged with Assault if it Was Self-Defense?

As a criminal defense attorney serving the Columbus area, I’ve had countless clients ask me a burning question: “Can I be charged with assault if it was self-defense?”

It’s a valid concern, and today, I’m diving into the legal nitty-gritty to give you the lowdown on how self-defense plays out in Ohio’s legal landscape.

What Exactly is Self-Defense?

Imagine you’re in a situation where your safety, or that of someone else, is under threat. It’s your legal right to protect yourself from harm when faced with imminent danger or the threat of it. But—and this is crucial—your response must be reasonable and proportional to the threat at hand.

Ohio’s Stand Your Ground Law: Standing Firm on Your Rights

Ohio doesn’t mess around when it comes to self-defense. We’re a “stand your ground” state, meaning you don’t have to beat a hasty retreat before defending yourself if you’re somewhere you have a right to be. If you reasonably believe your life or bodily integrity is in jeopardy, you’re within your rights to stand your ground and defend yourself.

The Castle Doctrine: Your Home, Your Sanctuary

Ever heard of the phrase “my home is my castle”? Well, in Ohio, it’s more than just a saying—it’s the law. The Castle Doctrine extends your right to self-defense to your home, vehicle, or occupied vehicle. If someone’s unlawfully barging into your sanctuary, you’re entitled to use force—yes, even deadly force—to keep yourself and others safe.

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But What About Assault Charges?

Here’s where it gets tricky. While Ohio recognizes your right to defend yourself, there’s a fine line between self-defense and assault. Your response must fit the threat. If it goes beyond what’s considered reasonable or proportional, you might find yourself facing assault charges—even if you were just trying to protect yourself.

Why Reasonableness Matters

In the eyes of the law, reasonableness is key. If you claim self-defense, you’ve got to show that your actions were justified given the circumstances. This means gathering evidence, painting the full picture of what went down, and demonstrating that you acted in self-defense to the best of your ability.

Seeking Legal Backup

Facing assault charges is no joke, especially when you were only trying to defend yourself. That’s why it’s crucial to have a savvy criminal defense attorney in your corner. We’ll sift through the details, gather evidence, and craft a defense that stands strong in the face of legal scrutiny.

Know Your Rights, Protect Your Future

Remember, while Ohio law has your back when it comes to self-defense, crossing that line into excessive force can land you in hot water. Understanding the ins and outs of self-defense laws and having a legal ace up your sleeve are your best bets for safeguarding your rights and navigating assault charges.

If you’re staring down assault charges or have questions about self-defense laws in Ohio, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to lend an ear, offer guidance, and fight tooth and nail for your rights. Your future is worth defending, and we’re here to help you do just that.

What proof is needed for a restraining order in Ohio?

What proof is needed for a restraining order in Ohio?

While getting a restraining order is important if you feel threatened, Ohio courts require clear evidence before any restrictions are put in place. If you’re the one being accused, it’s essential to know what proof is required and how to respond.

Types of restraining orders and what you need to show.

There are two main types of restraining orders in Ohio:

Temporary Ex Parte Protection Order:

  • Given on the same day a petition is filed.
  • A judge decides if there’s a good reason for immediate protection.
  • Examples considered include threats or harm, sexual abuse, and the accused person’s past convictions for domestic violence.
  • Not much evidence is needed at this stage, and the accused person isn’t there to defend themselves. The order lasts until the full hearing, usually 7 to 10 days later.

Civil Protection Order (CPO):

  • Can last up to five years.
  • Established after a full hearing where both parties present their case.
  • Evidence must convincingly show genuine fear of harm or harassment by the accused person.

Evidence that supports a protection order.

Evidence from the person seeking the order can take different forms:

  • Witness Testimony: Statements from people who witnessed abusive behavior.
  • Photographic Evidence: Photos of injuries caused by violence, with timestamps.
  • Text Messages or Emails: Messages with threatening language or detailing abuse.
  • Video Footage: Strong evidence of abuse or threats was recorded.

How to defend yourself against a restraining order. 

If you’re facing a restraining order, there are ways to defend yourself:

  • Present Evidence Contradicting Claims: Use records of messages or social media to dispute the accuser’s claims.
  • Provide an Alibi: Show proof you were somewhere else during alleged incidents, like receipts, videos, or timestamps.
  • Witness Testimony: Get witnesses who can contradict the accuser’s story.
  • Show No Genuine Fear: Demonstrate that the accuser didn’t see you as a threat, possibly through friendly interactions.

GET LEGAL HELP

If you’re dealing with a restraining order, give us a call. We will guide you through the process and make sure your rights are protected. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Talk to Nathan Akamine for FREE

If you or a loved one is facing charges, don't wait to call.

Should I Use a Public Defender or Hire a Private Defense Attorney?

Should I Use a Public Defender or Hire a Private Defense Attorney?

Facing criminal charges can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience, and one of the most critical decisions you’ll have to make is choosing between a private defense attorney or a public defender to represent you. Both options have their advantages and limitations, and it’s crucial to understand the differences to make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll explore the factors you should consider when choosing a private for-hire attorney or a public defender.

1. Expertise and Resources:

Private Defense Attorney:
Private criminal defense attorneys often have specialized expertise in specific areas of the law. They can choose their cases, allowing them to focus on their strengths and build a strong defense tailored to your situation. They also have access to a network of experts, investigators, and resources that can be crucial in building a strong defense.

Public Defender:
Public defenders are committed legal professionals, but they often have heavy caseloads and limited resources. While they possess valuable experience, they might have less time to dedicate to your case, which can impact the depth of their investigation and preparation.

2. Personalized Attention:

Private Defense Attorney:
Hiring a private attorney typically means receiving more personalized attention. Your attorney can give your case the time and dedication it deserves, addressing your specific needs and concerns.

Public Defender:
Public defenders may have numerous cases to handle simultaneously, which can limit their ability to provide the same level of individualized attention. While they will work diligently to represent you, their caseloads may affect the depth of their involvement in your case.

3. Costs and Fees:

Private Defense Attorney:
Hiring a private attorney involves costs, which can vary significantly based on the complexity of your case and the attorney’s experience. However, many private defense attorneys offer payment plans or accept legal aid if you qualify.

Public Defender:
Public defenders are provided by the state or federal government, so their services are typically free if you meet the eligibility criteria. This makes them an accessible option for individuals who cannot afford private representation.

4. Decision-Making Control:

Private Defense Attorney:
When you choose a private attorney, you have more control over the direction of your defense. You can make decisions about plea bargains, trial strategies, and other aspects of your case.

Public Defender:
Public defenders are obligated to act in your best interests, but their ability to make strategic decisions may be influenced by the policies of their office and their caseload. You still have a say, but you may have less control over the direction of your defense.

Conclusion:
The choice between hiring a private defense attorney and using a public defender is a critical decision that should be based on your specific circumstances and needs. Private attorneys offer expertise, personalized attention, and flexibility, but they come at a cost. Public defenders provide legal representation without direct fees, but their caseloads may limit their ability to dedicate as much time to your case.

Ultimately, the decision should align with your financial situation, the complexity of your case, and your comfort level with your chosen attorney. Consult with a legal professional to make an informed choice that will best serve your interests in your criminal defense case.

Looking for legal help? Call Akamine Law for a FREE case review.

The Difference Between a Bench Warrant and Arrest Warrant

The Difference Between a Bench Warrant and Arrest Warrant

No warrant that you receive should be ignored. It will still exist in your file and failing to act on these official court records will complicate your case and could cause jail time.

What is an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant must first be approved by a judge before it can be executed, but only after investigators present their findings with compelling evidence. Once the arrest warrant has been issued, law enforcement agents have the power to search for you and place you under arrest.

Following your arrest, you’ll be processed (booked) at a police station to establish proper identification, and your fingerprints and facial photographs (mugshot) will be taken by the police for entry into the legal database.

What is a bench warrant?

Bench warrants are issued for “failure to appear” or capias warrants and are the most frequently issued type of warrant. They are different from arrest warrants in that they are not issued at the beginning of criminal proceedings, but rather issued for your failure to appear at a hearing at a specific point in the criminal process.

When a bench warrant is issued, a police officer may not necessarily visit your home to carry out (execute) a bench warrant, but if an officer engages you over something else, like a traffic infraction, and runs your name through the computer, he/she will find the bench warrant and probably detain you.

How do I know if a warrant has been issued?

In either case, you can take proactive measures to find out if a court issued a warrant against you. You can search the court database online, or hire a criminal defense lawyer to do it for you. Your appearance date will be specified in the court’s paperwork, along with any penalties for missing it.

Search the public record using Franklin County Municipal Clerk Lori Tyack’s Court Access and Search Engine (CASE).

PLEASE NOTE: all individuals with outstanding warrants are strongly encouraged to contact a criminal defense attorney.

How to Choose the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer for Your Case

How to Choose the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer for Your Case

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel immediately. Even seemingly minor crimes can still result in a criminal record and harsh sentences, and having a record can haunt you for years, limiting your life, from where you work to where you live.

The reality is, when it comes to criminal defense, not all lawyers are created equal. The outcome of your case is largely dependent on having the right lawyer fighting for you. A Google search turns up thousands of results. All claiming to be the right attorney for you. So, how do you know who to choose?

Although the nature and severity of the alleged crime will factor heavily into how your case is handled, any person who is charged with a crime should ensure that their lawyer meets all of the following criteria.

1. Experience with the Charges You are Facing

Hiring an attorney who specializes in white collar crimes may not be the best choice to fight your sexual assault charge. Criminal law is complex and ever evolving, so it’s essential to work with a lawyer who has extensive experience in the specific crime with which you’ve been charged.

Do your homework and hire a lawyer who has a deep understanding of exactly what you’re going through.

2. Comfortability

Most law firms offer a free initial consultation. I recommend taking advantage of it. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and see how you interact together. Personal chemistry is an underrated, yet very important factor when choosing legal representation. If you don’t feel comfortable with your lawyer, the legal process is going to be unnecessarily long and painful, and the outcome is less likely to be favorable.

The best lawyer-client relationships are collaborative. When you trust your lawyer, the relationship becomes more of a partnership, and the chances of a successful outcome increase dramatically.

Use these questions as a guide to determine if the lawyer you’re interviewing is right for you.

  • Am I comfortable talking openly to them?
  • Does my lawyer explain things in a way that I can understand?
  • Does my lawyer seem genuinely concerned about me and the outcome of my case?
  • Does my lawyer seem trustworthy?
  • Does my lawyer appear confident?

3. Word of Mouth and Online Reviews

One of the best ways to find a good defense lawyer is word of mouth. If you know someone who has been in a similar situation, ask who they used for legal counsel and if they were happy with their results. However, just because a lawyer was a good fit for someone else, doesn’t make them a good fit for you. So, don’t just take a name and run with it. Make sure you have the consultation, then do some online digging. With the wealth of information available on the internet, there is no excuse to not do your homework.

Choosing the right defense lawyer may be one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Check the state bar association website to see if the lawyer has a record of formal discipline, and search for reviews on Facebook and Google.

IMPORTANT TIP: Although reviews can assist in guiding you, they should not be taken as the deciding factor in your end decision.

One bad review shouldn’t necessarily keep you from working with a particular lawyer, but several bad reviews should be a clear red flag. The same goes for good reviews. Just because a lawyer has 2,000 good reviews and another has 200, doesn’t mean one lawyer is better than the other. A criminal case is a personal and private matter that a lot of people don’t feel comfortable sharing with the world. So, don’t let a lack of reviews stop you from scheduling a consultation either.

4. Courtroom Confidence

If your case moves to trial, you want to know that your lawyer has confidence in the courtroom. In addition to specifically asking about courtroom experience, a lawyer’s appearance and demeanor can give big clues as to how they will perform in a courtroom. If they are neatly dressed, well spoken, and confident, these characteristics will bode well in a courtroom setting.

On the other hand, if a lawyer appears nervous or disheveled, their arguments may be less convincing to a judge and jury. As with most things, exceptions exist, but confidence is generally the hallmark of any successful trial lawyer.

It is also important that your lawyer can take direction from you. Although they will control certain aspects of your case, like filing motions and calling witnesses, the big decisions, like whether to plead guilty or go to trial, or whether to try to make a deal, are YOUR call. Look for an attorney who takes the time to get to know you and your goals, and who actively integrates your input into the legal strategy.

5. Listen to Your Gut

At the end of the day, trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t be afraid to walk away. Remember, you are interviewing the defense lawyer, not the other way around. Ultimately, this is your battle to fight, and you need the right lawyer by your side if you’re going to win.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges and in need of an experienced criminal lawyer, please contact Nathan Akamine.

Can a social media post result in criminal charges?

Can a social media post result in criminal charges?

If you’ve spent any time on social media, it’s likely that you read abusive and oftentimes offensive statements posted or left as comments. Most people are under the assumption the things said online are without repercussions. However, that may not be the case.

Perhaps you remember hearing about Justin Olsen, an 18-year-old Ohio man who was arrested last year on federal charges after investigators claimed that he made multiple entries online posting his support of mass shootings, and cited a target of Planned Parenthood.

Regardless of Olsen telling the FBI that his posts were “only a joke”, he was booked on state charges of telecommunications harassment and aggravated menacing, and the federal charge of threatening a federal law enforcement officer.

Although Olsen’s charges are considered to be severe for online behavior, a malicious or threatening post may qualify as defamation. Defamation is the publication of a statement about someone that hurts their reputation in the eyes of members of society.

Online actions can have severe consequences.

You may remember a case where social media played a major part in a case against two football players who were eventually found guilty of raping an intoxicated 16-year-old girl.

The victim says she doesn’t remember much of what happened the night when Trent Mays, 17, and Ma’lik Richmond, 16, assaulted her at a friend’s party, and that she only became aware of it after a video surfaced on social media. A key piece of evidence was an Instagram photo of the boys carrying the girl out of the house by her arms and legs.

That being said, photos and videos, whether posted publicly or obtained by police, have to meet certain criteria:

  • They must be authenticated, meaning the prosecutors have to prove the images are what they seem and have not been altered or staged;
  • they can not be shown out of context

Additional charges were later brought against two teenage girls in the same case after police were shown twitter posts threatening the physical harm to the victim if she didn’t drop the charges.

Can I be arrested for posting a video?

Richard Godbehere uploaded a 5-minute video of himself driving, cracking open a beer, then proceeding to take a drink. He then stated “We all know drinking and driving is against the law. You’re not supposed to do that. But they didn’t say anything about driving and then drinking.”

A joke, maybe. Against the law, definitely. He was surprised when the police showed up at his house prepared to arrest him on charges of consuming alcohol while operating a vehicle.

He stated the video was meant as a parody and claimed there wasn’t actually beer in the bottle, to which Police Chief Darryl Perry stated: “Our traffic laws are in place for a reason, and Mr. Godbehere’s blatant disregard for those laws is the type of behavior that won’t be tolerated.”

The moral of the story, be careful what you say online. It can, and will be used against you in a court of law.

If you or someone you love is in need of an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer, call Nathan Akamine.