Limited Clients. Proven Results.
By limiting the number of clients we serve, the Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys at Stiefvater Law can devote the time and resources needed to successfully defend your Gates Mills domestic violence charge. Domestic Violence Attorney Robert Stiefvater has established himself as a "go to" attorney for those facing domestic violence charges in Gates Mills, Ohio.
Licensed to practice law in Ohio since 2003, Domestic Violence Lawyer Robert Stiefvater has a proven track record of successfully defending Gates Mills domestic violence cases. Call and speak with Robert about your case. Even if our Domestic Violence Defense Law Firm is not currently accepting new cases, Robert will discuss your case with you and give you a better understanding of the steps you need to take to protect yourself from a domestic violence conviction.
Ohio law defines Domestic Violence as:
- No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
- No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member.
- No person, by threat of force, shall knowingly cause a family or household member to believe that the offender will cause imminent physical harm to the family or household member.
Domestic Violence Penalties
A conviction of domestic violence in Gates Mills, or anywhere in Ohio, has serious penalties. Domestic violence can be a misdemeanor or a felony. A conviction for domestic violence cannot be expunged. Subsequent domestic violence convictions have increased penalties. Penalties range from misdemeanor sentences to felony sentences with mandatory prison time. For example, conviction of a:
Second Degree Misdemeanor Domestic Violence
Jail sentence up to 90 days and a fine up to $750.
Besides the criminal penalties for conviction of domestic violence, there are other serious considerations. These are not limited to, but include:
- You will not be able to purchase a firearm.
- You will lose or be prevented from obtaining a concealed carry permit.
- Your employer may have grounds to terminate your employment.
- You may lose security clearance.
- You may lose your professional license: nursing, teacher, doctor, etc.
Contact a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Gates Mills today to understand the penalties you are facing and to find out what we can do for you.
Temporary Protection Order
Just being charged with a Gates Mills domestic violence will result in the issuance of a temporary protection order or TPO. A temporary protection order can restrict:
- Where you live.
- Who you can communicate with.
- Who you can be around.
While the temporary protection order is often a condition of bond in the criminal case, the alleged victim often files for a civil protection order as well. Our Domestic Violence Attorneys can defend the civil protection order hearing as well. Temporary Protection Orders terminate at the conclusion of the criminal case. A civil protection order can be in place for up to 5 years.
Similar to all areas of the law, Ohio’s domestic violence laws use some special definitions. For Example:
Family or household member can mean a parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender.
Call the Domestic Violence Lawyers at Stiefvater Law to find out if we are currently taking on new clients. We are the Domestic Violence Attorneys in Gates Mills, Ohio, 44040.
Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25 governs Domestic Violence. The following is an excerpt from that law:
Definitions
(1) "Family or household member" means any of the following:
(a) Any of the following who is residing or has resided with the offender:
(i) A spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the offender;
(ii) A parent, a foster parent, or a child of the offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to the offender;
(iii) A parent or a child of a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender, or another person related by consanguinity or affinity to a spouse, person living as a spouse, or former spouse of the offender.
(b) The natural parent of any child of whom the offender is the other natural parent or is the putative other natural parent.
(2) "Person living as a spouse" means a person who is living or has lived with the offender in a common law marital relationship, who otherwise is cohabiting with the offender, or who otherwise has cohabited with the offender within five years prior to the date of the alleged commission of the act in question.
(3) "Pregnant woman's unborn" has the same meaning as "such other person's unborn," as set forth in section 2903.09 of the Revised Code, as it relates to the pregnant woman. Division (C) of that section applies regarding the use of the term in this section, except that the second and third sentences of division (C)(1) of that section shall be construed for purposes of this section as if they included a reference to this section in the listing of Revised Code sections they contain.
(4) "Termination of the pregnant woman's pregnancy" has the same meaning as "unlawful termination of another's pregnancy," as set forth in section 2903.09 of the Revised Code, as it relates to the pregnant woman. Division (C) of that section applies regarding the use of the term in this section, except that the second and third sentences of division (C)(1) of that section shall be construed for purposes of this section as if they included a reference to this section in the listing of Revised Code sections they contain.
Cities in Cuyahoga County: Bentleyville, Bedford Heights, Bay Village, Bedford, Beachwood
Zip Codes in Gates Mills, Ohio: 44040