Facing criminal charges can be difficult for anybody. However, a dedicated attorney at your side can help you regain your confidence and may make all of the difference in the world. An attorney serves an important role aside from defending your case in court and establishing reasonable doubt in the charges you face. They can help you from the very moment of your arrest, helping you avoid self-incrimination and ensuring that your interests are represented every step of the way.
Licking County Criminal Defense Lawyers
Brian Joslyn is a fierce advocate for men, women, and youth who are facing criminal charges in Central Ohio. His legal practice, Joslyn Law Firm, was established to help continue this mission of defending clients’ futures through proactive and aggressive legal strategies.
The Joslyn Law Firm has handled over 16,500 criminal cases, and our work has not gone unnoticed. We have been lauded as “Top Lawyer” by Columbus CEO magazine and awarded by the National Academy of Criminal defense attorneys as one of the “10 Best Criminal Defense Firms In Ohio.”
We have an impressive range of experience helping clients like you prevail throughout the Licking County court system, including a background of notable victories throughout multiple jurisdictions. We bring the same commitment to excellent legal representation for each and every one of the cases we take on.
The sooner you obtain experienced legal representation, the better your chances of successfully navigating the path toward an optimal outcome. Our focus is on helping you better understand the charges you face and the clearest path forward while effecting a robust defense strategy that supports your legal rights and best interests through every step of the legal process. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out today.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Licking County
Every day, people in and around Licking County are accused of criminal misconduct. Whether it’s a violation of a city ordinance, traffic violation, misdemeanor, or a criminal charge, allegations of violating the law are serious matters that can lead to equally serious fines and penalties, which can have serious implications. The negative consequences of a conviction in any of these situations can reverberate into your future. The best path forward includes working closely with a resourceful criminal defense attorney who is very familiar with the Licking County court system, including the judges, staff, personnel, overall working tone, and the rules and customs therein.
The fact is that every court system is unique, and the more in-depth your defense attorney’s experience within that system, the better off you are. At Joslyn Law Firm, we have a close working relationship with all the courts in Licking County, and we are well prepared to help guide your case toward the best outcome possible.
At Joslyn Law Firm, we understand the difficulty of your situation, and we’re committed to effecting your strongest defense in support of your rights and your case’s most favorable resolution whether your case is in the Licking County Municipal Court, the Licking County Juvenile Court, or the Licking County Common Pleas Court.
Our Licking County Criminal Courts Information Guide
To help you better navigate and understand the Licking County criminal court system, we’ve organized the basic building blocks of helpful information according to the following outline:
- Licking County Criminal Charge Information and Overview
- Licking County Common Criminal Charges
- Licking County Penalties for Criminal Convictions in Ohio
- Licking County Warrants
- Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney In Licking County
- Licking County Criminal Defense Q&As
- Licking County Law Enforcement and Other Agencies
- Licking County Legal Resources
- Licking County Criminal News
- Licking County Court Locations and Contact Information
Whatever your general legal question or concern, these resources can serve as a reliable starting point. If you’re facing charges, however. It’s time to contact our office to talk about legal specifics.
1) Licking County Criminal Charge Information and Overview
Licking County is located in Central Ohio, and at the time of the 2010 census, its population was over 166,000. Its county seat is Newark, and the community at large has many things that make it a great place to live. There are varied and extensive hikes, orchards, and camping opportunities, just to name a few, in addition to impressive venues that support arts and entertainment.
As with any city, Newark (population 49,423 in 2017) sees its share of criminal activity, as demonstrated by the following crime rate statistics for 2018:
● 4 murders, which translates to 8.1 per 100,000 citizens.
● 35 rapes, which translates to 70.4 per 100,000 citizens.
● 34 robberies, which translates to 68.4 per 100,000 citizens.
● 79 assaults, which translates to 159 per 100,000 citizens.
● 485 burglaries, which translates to 976.1 per 100,000 citizens.
● 1,530 thefts, which translates to 3,079 per 100,000 citizens.
No community escapes crime entirely, and when criminal charges are brought in Licking County, they are tried in the following courts (in accordance with the charge):
● When the charge involves a juvenile (who is not charged as an adult), it proceeds through the Licking County Juvenile Court.
● When the charge involves a traffic citation, an ordinance violation, or a misdemeanor (with a few exceptions), it proceeds through the Licking County Municipal Court.
● When the charge involves a felony charge (against an adult or a juvenile who is charged as an adult), it proceeds through the Licking County Common Pleas Court.
If you or your child face any such charge, you need a criminal defense attorney who is not only experienced generally but is also experienced in the Licking County court system specifically. The difference between your attorney having an intimate working knowledge of the legal path ahead, including a close working relationship with the judge and courthouse personnel, can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
2) Licking County Common Criminal Charges
Licking County has careful laws on the books that guide how criminal charges and cases proceed, and a conviction can lead to serious fines and penalties. Let’s take a closer look at the courts that make up the Licking County system.
Licking County Municipal Court
For traffic citations, ordinance violations, and most misdemeanors, your case will be heard in the Licking County Municipal Court. This court presides over wide-ranging charges that include:
- Licking County DUI
- Marijuana arrest in Licking County
- Probation violations
- Domestic violence arrest in Licking County
- Assault and battery
- Theft crimes
- Civil Protection Orders in Licking County
- Violating a civil protection order
- Failing to aid a law enforcement officer
- Failing to report knowledge of a death, crime, or a serious injury
- Making a false report or alarm
- Obstructing official business or otherwise obstructing justice
- Disturbing a lawful meeting
- Discharging a weapon within city limits
- Violating a noise ordinance
- Creating noxious and offensive odors
- Creating a landscape or weed nuisance
- Hunting animals within city limits
- Failing to control an animal
- Abandoning an animal
- Engaging in gambling, public gaming, cheating, or otherwise violating gaming ordinances
- Operating a charity raffle or bingo game in violation of existing regulations
In the scheme of criminal charges, these are relatively minor, but this does not negate the fact that they still pack a significant punch when it comes to fines, penalties, and social consequences.
Traffic Offenses Specifically
Because traffic offenses are the most common cases in the Licking County Municipal Court, it’s important to also take these charges into careful consideration. If you’re facing a traffic infraction, you’re facing fines only (no jail time), but more serious traffic-related charges can lead to jail sentences. Further, fines associated with an infraction can be prohibitive, and this is not to mention that you could also face license suspension. The most common traffic violations in Licking County include:
● Failing to yield the right-of-way
● Failing to yield to pedestrians
● Failing to stop at a stop sign or a red light
● Speeding by either exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the road’s condition (including the effects of inclement weather)
● Following another vehicle too closely
● Drag racing
● Violating a one-way traffic directive
● Making an illegal turn
● Passing improperly
● Obstructing an intersection
● Crossing a divided highway
● Crossing a yellow line
● Passing a stopped school bus
● Violating a registration, tag, sticker, or title ordinance
● Driving with headphones
● Driving with an obstructed view
When the traffic offense is more serious, it can be elevated to misdemeanor status. Misdemeanors are also heard at the Licking County Municipal Court and include:
● Driving with a suspended license
● Driving recklessly or recklessly operating a vehicle
● Violating commercial driver’s license (CDL) restrictions
● Committing vehicular assault
● Leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run)
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
The charges of driving under the influence (DUI) and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) deserve a special mention of their own. These charges are common, and a conviction can have overarching negative consequences that complicate your life in myriad ways. Not only do you face time behind bars, license suspension, probation, and steep fines, there are also hefty, potential social consequences (due to the public nature of these records). A DUI conviction can:
● Limit your ability to procure a federal student loan in order to further your education.
● Lead to difficulties when it comes to renting a home or apartment.
● Lead to a decrease in your employment opportunities.
● Cause you to lose your professional licensure.
If your OVI charge is aggravated, you could face a felony. Felonies have even more serious consequences and advance to the Licking County Common Pleas Court.
Misdemeanor Charges
Misdemeanors are also tried in the Licking County Municipal Court, and they encompass a wide range of offenses that are divided into the following classifications:
● Minor misdemeanors
● Fourth-degree misdemeanors
● Third-degree misdemeanors
● Second-degree misdemeanors
● First-degree misdemeanors
The most serious among these is first-degree offenses, but even a minor misdemeanor charge can lead to formidable consequences that include a criminal record. If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge, in other words, you’re well-advised to bring your strongest defense.
First-Degree Misdemeanor Charges
While there are a wide variety of first-degree misdemeanor charges on the books, some of the most common include:
● Assault and battery – Assault and battery occur when a person makes a credible threat related to harming someone else via harmful contact or to actually having harmed someone else via harmful contact.
● Domestic violence – Domestic violence refers to having committed assault and battery (or something similar to this charge) against a member of one’s family or household, or against a significant other (either current or former).
● Criminal trespass – Criminal trespass refers to either entering a property or remaining on a property without having the necessary permission. The lesser crime of burglary may apply if the accused is not alleged to have committed any other crime in the process.
● Marijuana charges – Marijuana charges refer to the possession of an amount of marijuana that exceeds a legal threshold. If the accused has a prior conviction or was within a specific distance of a school, the charge can become more serious still.
● Possession of a controlled substance – The charge of possession of a controlled substance refers to possession of illegal drugs other than marijuana, including narcotics or prescription medication that don’t belong to the defendant.
● Possession of drug paraphernalia or drug abuse instruments – The charge of possession of drug paraphernalia or drug abuse instruments refers to the possession of those tools and instruments that are commonly associated with illegal drug usage. Such charges often supplement possession charges.
● Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor – Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor refers to having consensual sex with someone who isn’t old enough to consent (also known as statutory rape). While the majority of sexually-based offenses are felonies, in some circumstances, the charge of unlawful sexual contact with a minor is brought as a misdemeanor.
● Resisting arrest – Resisting arrest refers to engaging in the resistance or avoidance of being arrested or interfering in someone else’s arrest.
● Disorderly conduct – Disorderly conduct refers to engaging in actions (or an action) that inconvenience, alarm, or otherwise offend the public.
● Criminal mischief – Criminal mischief refers to engaging in specific criminal acts that can include things like deploying smoke bombs or tear gas, infiltrating someone else’s online domain, and more.
Licking County Juvenile Court
Typically, Juveniles are tried in the Licking County Juvenile Court, and they tend to face the following types of charges:
● Disorderly conduct
● Habitual truancy
● Vandalism
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