Northeast Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney

We believe preparation is the key to winning your criminal case. That’s why we get down to the nitty-gritty and look at every fact. That’s how we find a robust and effective defense and resolve charges in your favor.

Not every criminal case goes to trial, though that might be the right move for you. Long before trial, we’ll see if your charges could be reduced, dropped, or dismissed. If it isn’t possible, we’ll explain the pros and cons of a plea or defending yourself against criminal charges at trial.

We will never push you to accept an easy resolution to save time. What we do is your decision, but we’ll tell you if a plea is a bad deal or if going to trial is a gamble. Whatever route you choose, we’ll fight hard for you.

At Erb Legal, you get honest, personalized representation. This isn’t a stuffy, big law office. We’re just people who want to help others through the NE Ohio criminal court system, so a mistake or misunderstanding doesn’t define their life. You are not alone and can get through this. Let us protect your rights and fight for you.

Ohio has various courts that handle criminal charges. Ohio’s municipal and county courts deal with misdemeanors and conduct preliminary hearings for felonies. The Ohio Court of Common Pleas General Division handles all felony cases.

• Common Pleas Court
• Medina County Juvenile Division
• Medina Municipal Court
• Wadsworth Municipal Court
• Brunswick Mayor’s Court

Going to criminal court in Northeast Ohio for the first time doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. We’ll explain what going to court is like, when to arrive, what to wear, and what to do during the hearing. You won’t say much in court when you’re represented by a criminal defense lawyer from Erb Legal. Your job is to appear in clean, professional clothing and answer when spoken to.

You can learn more about the local criminal courts to prepare for your case.

At your criminal arraignment, you must enter a plea. There are three choices: Guilty, Not Guilty, and No Contest (nolo contendere).

No contest is not a guilty plea, but there are similarities. You will have a conviction on your record, and a judge will sentence you. But by pleading no contest, your plea can’t be used against you in other legal matters, like a civil case related to these charges.

We recommend you plead not guilty and allow yourself to work with a skilled NE Ohio defense attorney.

Ohio has a cash bail system, which means you may be required to pay a fee to get out of jail before your trial. If you have a loved one in jail right now, reach out to Erb Legal on their behalf. Local jurisdictions often set bail amounts for misdemeanors, but a judge determines the bail bond requirement for felony charges. Wesley immediately gets to work to get his clients out of jail.

Yes, you should always have legal representation when facing criminal charges in Northeast Ohio. Even if this is not your first time charged with a crime, you do not know the law or legal system well enough to defend yourself. A local criminal defense lawyer with years of experience will have a better chance of beating the charges or mitigating the consequences of a conviction.

Hire a defense lawyer. Defendants often make the mistake of thinking they can clear things up with the police. That is not true. You should not say anything to the police. Invoke your right to remain silent immediately, then hire an attorney who can gather evidence of your innocence.

It depends on the level of the charge, but most likely, you’re facing jail time. Ohio misdemeanors are punishable by weeks or months in jail, while felonies are punishable by years in prison. But when you work with Erb Legal, we fight for you to avoid incarceration.

Erb Legal offers criminal representation in Northeast Ohio at reasonable rates. We know how intimidating attorney’s fees are, so we work to keep our client’s costs down. During your free consultation, we’ll explain our rates and billing processes.