Canton, Ohio, Civil and Criminal Law Attorney
DUI/DWI Defense
Drunk driving is called operating a motor vehicle while impaired, or OVI, in Ohio, although it is more commonly known as DUI or DWI. The penalties are very serious. For a first offense, you face a minimum of three days in jail, a fine of $300 to $1,000 and a driver's license suspension of six months to three years. When you add the cost of paying high-risk insurance once your driver's license is reinstated, a DUI/DWI conviction poses a significant hardship on your family. More information about DUI/DWI defense.
Domestic Violence
Ohio is a preferred-arrest state in cases of domestic violence. This means that if police are called to your home following a domestic disturbance, somebody is probably going to jail. Once the 911 call is made, it is easier for police to arrest than not arrest, even if they have a weak case. More information about domestic violence.
Drug Charges
With the exception of possession of a small amount of marijuana, all drug charges in Ohio are felonies. This "one-size-fits-all" approach to drug crimes has had a devastating effect on the lives of many people. More information about drug charges.
Sex Crimes
Many people who are arrested for sex crimes such as public indecency or soliciting are embarrassed and quickly plead guilty or no-contest with the hopes of making the charges go away. However, the charges won't go away. Any misdemeanor or felony sex crime conviction will result in a lifelong criminal record, which can have a devastating effect on your life. If you plead guilty to a sex crime that is subject to sex offender registration, you will carry that label forever. More information about sex crimes.
Divorce
Ohio is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you do not have to prove that your spouse did something wrong to file for divorce. Occasionally, clients ask me if they should hire a private investigator to follow their spouse around and collect evidence of infidelity and other bad behavior. I tell my clients that they can, but it will not have much influence on the outcome of their divorce case. More information about divorce.
Child Custody
While there are fewer divorces in Northeastern Ohio than there were 10 years ago, the number of child custody cases continues to go up. The reason: An increasing number of child custody disputes involve parents who are not married. More information about child custody.
Child Support
In Ohio, child support is determined by a statutory formula that primarily considers the income of the parents and the number of children. The process of determining child support can be very simple if both parents receive W-2 forms from their employers. When one of the parents is self-employed, a forensic accountant may be needed to prevent a parent from underreporting income. More information about child support.
Personal Injury
If you have been injured or a loved one is killed because of someone else's negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for economic and emotional damages. While most personal injury and wrongful death cases are covered by the insurance company of the at-fault party, obtaining the compensation you deserve is usually difficult without a lawyer's help. Most insurance companies will bend over backwards to minimize the amount they have to pay. More information about personal injury.
Auto Accidents
In Ohio, negligence is only one factor in determining whether you can recover fair compensation if you have been injured in a car accident. The other factor is insurance. Many drivers in Ohio do not carry enough liability insurance to cover the damages of anyone they injure in an auto accident. A lawyer's assistance is often needed to find additional sources of coverage. More information about auto accidents.
For a free initial consultation about your criminal defense or personal injury case, contact lawyer Michael Boske in Canton, Ohio.
