Police in Cincinnati Ohio have issued an arrest warrant for a 25 year old woman who they say brutally assaulted two sisters outside of an apartment building. The incident was recorded on a cell phone and the alleged offender can be seen, along with a group of females, punching and kicking the victims numerous times.
Crimes of this nature are common in certain parts of Ohio. One of the most commonly committed violent crimes is assault. According to the Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.13, assault occurs when an individual intentionally causes or attempts to cause bodily injury to another person.
In the situation mentioned above, the alleged offenders were said to have repeatedly kicked the victims in the head. Under Ohio law, this could lead to an upgraded charge of aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is defined by Ohio Rev. Code § 2903.12 as causing or attempting to cause serious physical harm to someone with a weapon, or by use of dangerous or excessively violent actions.
In most cases, assault is considered a first degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000. However, aggravated assault is typically charged as a fourth degree felony, and could lead to between six to 18 months in prison, and/or fines up to $5,000.
If assault occurs against a law enforcement officer or any other peace officer, the alleged offender can be charged with fourth degree felony. An individual who commits aggravated assault against a peace officer can face third degree felony charges, and if convicted, can be sentenced to between one to five years in prison, and/or be ordered to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
Today, technology is more prevalent than ever before. With a camera on nearly every cell phone, it has become increasingly common for individuals to be charged with a crime based on footage recorded from a phone. In these cases, it is extremely important to have an attorney representing you who has the knowledge and skill necessary to help you through a difficult situation.
Although video footage can be a difficult obstacle to overcome, there are defense options available to you. In some cases, your defense attorney may be able to successfully argue that the footage shows you acted in self-defense, the evidence was obtained illegally, or that the individual in the video is not you.
Due to the serious penalties an assault case can bring, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately following your arrest. Whether you feel as though you were provoked, acting in self-defense, or falsely accused, individuals charged with assault should not hesitate to contact a defense attorney in Ohio who can assistant them in presenting their side of the story in a compelling way.
