Robbery, Burglary & Trespassing

Every day in central Ohio people are charged with robbery, burglary, and criminal trespassing.  Depending on the type of charge, penalties for robbery, burglary, and trespassing can range from a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail to a first-degree felony punishable by up to 11 years in prison.

If you are convicted of a robbery, burglary or criminal trespassing, additional potential issues include:

• Maintaining your current employment
• Licensure issues in some professions
• Difficulty getting a good job in the future
• Difficulty and possible denial in immigration and naturalization proceedings

Simply put, if you are convicted of robbery, burglary, or criminal trespassing, it will potentially be on your criminal background for the rest of your life. No matter what the circumstances were in your case, you run the risk of being considered a serious criminal offender. Therefore, it is critical that you give your robbery, burglary, or criminal trespassing charge the level of importance it deserves.

The Columbus Criminal Defense team takes a two pronged approach to all assault cases. First and foremost, you will need a bond. Generally, you will be arrested when charged with robbery or burglary. If not, the charge(s) will be filed as a warrant and you will have to turn yourself in. We will represent you at your initial bond hearing and look to secure a favorable bond and your release from jail.

Thereafter we will figure out what mistakes the police or detectives made, whether the prosecuting witness is fabricating the charges and what other legal issues can be raised on your behalf.

We do this by requesting discovery from the prosecutor and interviewing witnesses. The discovery will generally consist of police reports, additional investigative notes, pictures and recorded interviews.
Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, we will seek a favorable plea with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case.

If your case cannot be resolved satisfactorily with a plea, it would then proceed to a motion hearing (a hearing where the judge issues a ruling on an evidentiary issue) or a trial to the judge or jury, depending on the circumstances.

For over a decade, the Columbus criminal defense attorneys at LHA have successfully represented clients on criminal offenses ranging from minor misdemeanors to first degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.

Talk to a Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Use the links at right as guides to the offense you’re facing. If you have any questions about the material or if you need an experienced, competent attorney, contact a Columbus criminal defense lawyer near you at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836 or email us via [email protected]