Limited Clients. Proven Results.

By limiting the number of clients we serve, the Domestic Violence Attorneys at Stiefvater Law can devote the time and resources needed to successfully defend your Lawrence domestic violence charge. Domestic Violence Defense Attorney Robert Stiefvater has established himself as a "go to" attorney for those facing domestic violence charges in Lawrence, Ohio.

Domestic Violence Lawyer Robert Stiefvater has been practicing law in Ohio since 2003.  He has a proven track record of successfully defending Lawrence domestic violence cases.  Call Robert about your case.  Even if our Domestic Violence Law Firm is not currently accepting new clients, a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney will discuss your case with you and answer your questions.

Ohio law defines Domestic Violence as:

  1. No person shall knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a family or household member.
  2. No person shall recklessly cause serious physical harm to a family or household member.
  3. 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 Lawrence, or anywhere in Ohio, has severe and often lifelong penalties.  Domestic violence can be either a felony or misdemeanor.  Conviction of domestic violence cannot be expunged from your permanent record.  Any later domestic violence charges have increased penalties.  Domestic violence penalties range from misdemeanor to felony. Certain convictions have mandatory prison time.  For example, conviction of a:

First Degree Misdemeanor Domestic Violence

Jail sentence up to 180 days and fine up to $1,000.

Besides the criminal penalties for conviction of domestic violence, there are other serious considerations.  These are not limited to, but include:

  1. You will not be able to purchase a firearm.
  2. You may lose your professional license: nursing, teacher, doctor, etc.
  3. Your employer may have grounds to terminate your employment.
  4. You will lose or be prevented from obtaining a concealed carry permit.
  5. You may lose security clearance.

Contact a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Lawrence 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 Lawrence domestic violence will result in the issuance of a temporary protection order ("TPO"). A temporary protection order can restrict:

  1. Where you live.
  2. Who you can communicate with.
  3. Who you can be around.

A temporary protection order is often a condition of bond in the criminal case. Frequently, the alleged victim files for a civil protection order ("CPO").  Our Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers will also defend your interests at the civil protection order hearing. A TPO automatically terminates 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 spouse, a person living as a spouse, or a former spouse of the offender.

Call the Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers at Stiefvater Law to find out if we are currently taking on new clients. We are the Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers in Lawrence, Ohio, 44614.

The following comes from Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25 (Ohio’s Domestic Violence 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 Stark County: Canton, Bethlehem, Beach City, Brewster, Canal Fulton

Zip Codes in Lawrence, Ohio: 44666, 44647, 44614