Menacing / Stalking
Domestic issues have the ability to tear a family apart. Many start as small arguments but then spiral into a two-way folly of miscommunications and emotion. This has led many to either take reckless or irrational actions that they immediately regret, or to overreact and unnecessarily involve law enforcement in the form of a domestic dispute allegation.
Unfortunately, many volatile situations involving a couple or family tend to lead to legal ramifications for one of the involved parties. No matter if you feel as though to you completely innocent of any allegations or the charges are exaggerated, it is still your duty to prove this fact in the court of law.
This reason alone should be enough to immediately compel you to find a criminal defense attorney who has the experience and legal knowledge necessary to effectively represent you in court.
Columbus Stalking Defense Attorney
Joslyn Law Firm has made it their objective to help those involved in legal domestic issues in Ohio. With a strong comprehension of the laws concerning families, Brian Joslyn and staff are quickly gaining the reputation of being smart, aggressive and proactive.
Considering the potential severity of even the most minor domestic dispute or misunderstanding, having the right attorney will give you a much greater chance at articulating your case and defending your name. Brian Joslyn is a Columbus domestic violence attorney who believes in the profound importance of protecting the individual rights of the clients he serves and can be counted on to provide the superior customer service that you need during this inevitably stressful time.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation, please call (614) 444-1900 or send an online message today. Brian represents individuals accused of stalking in and around the Ohio cities of Delaware, Powell, Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Grove City, Minerva Park, Plain City, Newark, Pataskala, Lancaster, Bremen, Circleville, Ashville and New Holland, among others.
Stalking Laws in Ohio
The exact legal wording for stalking in Columbus can be found in the Ohio Revised Codes. According to ORC §2903.211:
- No person by engaging in a pattern of conduct, shall knowingly cause another person to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the other person or cause mental distress to the other person.
- No person, through the use of any electronic method of remotely transferring information, including, but not limited to, any computer, computer network, computer program, or computer system, shall post a message with purpose to urge or incite another to commit the above violation.
- No person, with a sexual motivation, shall violate either of the above sections of the law.
If an individual breaks any of the laws referenced above, they will be guilty of menacing by stalking. In most situations, menacing by stalking is considered a misdemeanor of the first degree. The presumptive sentence for a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio, if convicted, is up to six months in jail and / or maximum fines of $1,000 (§2929.14).
There is a possibility for the more severe charge of a Felony of the fourth degree if any of the following apply:
- The offender made a threat of physical harm to or against the victim
- The offender trespassed on the land or premises where the victim lives, is employed, or attends school
- The victim of the offense is a minor
- The offender has a history of violence toward the victim or any other person or a history of other violent acts toward the victim or any other person.
- The offender had a deadly weapon on or about the offender’s person or under the offender’s control.
- At the time of the commission of the offense, the offender was the subject of a no contact order and violated the protection order
- The offender caused serious physical harm to the premises at which the victim resides, to the real property on which that premises is located, or to any personal property located on that premises
- Prior to committing the offense, the offender had been determined to represent a substantial risk of physical harm to others as manifested by evidence of then-recent homicidal or other violent behavior, evidence of then-recent threats that placed another in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm
A felony of the fourth degree comes with a presumptive sentence of up to eighteen months in prison and / or maximum fines of $5,000 (§2929.14).
Joslyn Law Firm | Franklin County Stalking Arrest Lawyer
A stalking charge can arise from both legitimate and illegitimate claims. Considering that domestic issues have become a political hot-topic in our country, prone to snap judgments and subjective analysis, it is extremely important that you protect your name and future by working with a competent and capable Ohio criminal defense attorney during this stressful time.
Brian Joslyn understands the uphill battle that is involved and will use his prior domestic law experience to make certain that you are represented in a manner that is equal parts aggressive and measured. He will form his defense strategy using the cold hard facts of the case and use these factors to your advantage, increasing the possibility of a favorable outcome.
While some Columbus attorneys take a wait and see approach by stalling until the police reports are received, the Joslyn Law Firm believes that there is no time to waste. The most critical time during a criminal case is the first few days following arrest, and Brian Joslyn will certainly do everything in his power to reach the proper verdict.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation to go over the details of your stalking case, call (614) 444-1900 or send an online message today.
