Felonies
Giulitto Law Office located in Ravenna, Ohio has an experienced criminal defense lawyer handling felony criminal cases in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas.
If you are charged with a felony in Portage County, Ohio, including Kent and Ravenna, you need an experienced competent attorney. Contact criminal defense lawyer Michael Giulitto today to discuss your case. Michael Giulitto has been defending criminal defendants charged with felonies in Portage County, Ohio for over twenty years. He has vast experience in handling felonies that begin in the Kent Municipal Court or the Ravenna Municipal and proceed to the Portage County Court of Common Pleas in Ravenna, Ohio.
Felonies are the more serious crimes as defined under Ohio law. Being charged with a felony is very serious. Being convicted of a felony carries with many serious consequences including spending time in prison. If you are charged with a felony, legal assistance is extremely important. This is so important that the Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney to all individuals charged with these crimes. A public defender will be appointed if the defendant cannot afford an attorney. If the defendant can afford an attorney, it is important to make a wise choice. Attorney Michael Giulitto has been representing clients charged with these crimes for over twenty years.
The court process for felonies is incredibly complex. Cases originate in the municipal court. Sometimes a preliminary hearing is scheduled. At that hearing, a judge determines whether there is probable cause that a felony was committed. If so, the case is “bound over” to a grand jury.
Sometimes the preliminary hearing is bypassed and charges are presented directly to a grand jury. If the grand jury finds probable cause an offense was committed, they will indict the defendant. Once a defendant is indicted, a warrant is typically issued and the Defendant is arrested.
The case then proceeds in the common pleas court. An arraignment is the first appearance. The court will take a plea and address bond. It is usually advisable to plea not guilty at this stage. From there, the case will proceed in a variety of ways. The case can be resolved through plea bargaining, can be dismissed or tried to a jury or judge.
The stakes in these proceedings are high. If convicted of a felony In Ohio, the potential penalties for felonies are:
| Felony One | 3-11 years prison | up to $20,000 fine |
| Felony Two | 2-8 year in prison | up to $15,000 fine |
| Felony Three | 9 months to 5 years in prison | up to $10,000 fine |
| Felony Four | 6 months to 18 months in prison | up to $5,000 fine |
| Felony Five | 6 months to 12 months in prison | up to $2,500 fine |
Felony sentencing is very complicated. Look no further than the link below describing a “quick sentencing guide”
https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Boards/Sentencing/resources/summaries/felonyRef4pg.PDF
From the beginning of your case to the end, having a skilled, experienced attorney will help you achieve the best possible outcome if charged with a serious crime. Contact Michael Giulitto for a consultation.