Menacing & Aggravated Menacing In Ohio

If you have been charged with Menacing or Aggravated Menacing, you may be experiencing an emotional roller coaster. Feelings often range from shame to indignence to fear. Every person in this situation responds differently, most have nothing like this in their background, and all need help.

Some Menacing and Aggravated Menacing cases involve untrue accusations, and many are the result of dissatisfaction from unfair treatment and unhealthy relationships. In our experience, all clients seek to end the stress related to being accused of a ‘violent crime'. If you are experiencing a situation like this, it may be beneficial to engage the assistance of a Columbus law firm which represents clients for Menacing and Aggravated Menacing in Central Ohio.

The lawyers at the Dominy Law Firm have represented many clients accused of these offenses. Attorney Shawn Dominy has been practicing since 1997 and has seen his share of Menacing and Aggravated Menacing cases. Although attorney Bryan Hawkins has practiced for fewer years, he has represented even more clients for these charges than Shawn Dominy. Both have helped many clients favorably resolve their cases in central Ohio courts, and they can help with your case too.

In Ohio, making threats can result in either Menacing or Aggravated Menacing charges, depending on the type of harm allegedly threatened.

• Menacing: The prosecution must prove that you knowingly caused another person to believe that you would cause physical harm to their person, property, unborn child or immediate family.
• Aggravated Menacing: The prosecution must prove that you knowingly caused another person to believe that you would cause serious physical harm to their person, property, unborn child or immediate family.

• Menacing: This crime is usually categorized as a fourth-degree misdemeanor. The possible sentence for Menacing includes a maximum jail term of 30 days, a maximum fine of $250 and a maximum of five years of probation (also called community control).
• Aggravated Menacing: This crime is usually categorized as a first-degree misdemeanor. The possible sentence for Aggravated Menacing includes a maximum jail term of 180 days, a maximum fine of $1000 and a maximum of five years of probation (community control).

If the alleged victim is an officer or employee of a public children services agency and the offense relates to the performance of that person’s official duties, the offense level and potential penalties are enhanced. If the alleged victim is a household or family member, a Menacing or Aggravated Menacing charge can be accompanied by a Domestic Violence Charge. Ohio Law classifies both Menacing and Aggravated Menacing as ‘offenses of violence’.

At the Dominy Law Firm, we recognize threats of harm may cause emotional distress and should not be taken lightly. On the other hand, accusations of threats are easy to take out of context, interpret incorrectly, exaggerate, or outright falsify. Our role in a case like this is to protect the rights of our client to ensure our client is not mistreated in the criminal justice system. It is critical for our client and the integrity of the justice system that individuals are not erroneously convicted or excessively punished.

To prevent that, we investigate the facts of the case, conduct research of relevant previous cases, and prepare for court. We simultaneously work on defenses to the allegation and mitigation of the possible punishment. We then advocate for our clients in negotiations with the prosecution. We seek to reach an agreement which is fair, but, if we can’t reach an agreement, we are willing and able to try the case and allow a jury to decide whether the evidence proves guilt.

Our office is in Columbus, Ohio, and we represent clients for Menacing and Aggravated Menacing throughout central Ohio. We only take on a few clients per month so we can devote substantial time to each client’s case. The result is favorable outcomes and satisfied clients. We charge flat fees, so the total fee is known before representation begins. If you’d like additional information on our firm, it’s available on the About Us page. If you’d like to arrange a phone consultation at no cost to discuss your situation, you can call us at 614-717-1177 or submit a CONTACT FORM on this website.