Cincinnati Falsification Lawyer
Assisting Individuals in Cincinnati with Defending against a Criminal Charge for Falsification
Lying to a police officer, judge, employee of the court, or another government official can land you in trouble, as this is a crime in Ohio. Moreover, if you tell a lie to a government official in order to obtain money or something else of value, you may also be charged criminally. The charges can range from a first-degree misdemeanor charge all the way up to a third-degree felony charge.
If you are arrested on a criminal falsification charge, the State of Ohio has the burden of proving that you are guilty of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. If the State convicts you, you may be sentenced to fines, jail time, and other serious penalties. At the Joslyn Law Firm, our Cincinnati falsification lawyers are experienced at defending individuals against these charges and pursuing dismissals and reduced charges on their clients’ behalf.<
Please give us a call today at (513) 399-6289 or contact us online to learn more about how we may assist you with defending against your criminal falsification charge.
Overview of Criminal Falsification in OH
- What is Criminal Falsification in Cincinnati?
- What’s the Typical Sentence for a Falsification Conviction?
- Speak with an Experienced Attorney
What is Criminal Falsification in Cincinnati?
Criminal falsification refers to making statements that you know are not true under certain circumstances, such as when you answer questions from a police officer. It is also against the law in Ohio to swear or affirm that a statement you previously made was true under certain circumstances. Those circumstances include the following:
- The statement is made during the course of a legal proceeding, while under oath, in court
- The statement is made while specifically intending to incriminate someone
- The statement is made in the process of obtaining a license, permit, or government-issued authorization
- The statement is made in the process of trying to convince someone else to offer an honor, degree, credit, job, or some other award, position of honor, or thing of value
- The statement is made, while under oath, to a notary or another person whose job it is to professionally administer oaths
- The statement is made in an attempt to mislead someone who is a public official and who is acting within the scope of his or her job duties at that time
- The statement is made with the underlying purpose of committing a theft crime
- The statement is made by a person with the intention of obtaining unemployment compensation, disability benefits, health care coverage, or some other type of government benefit
- The statement is connected to some legal report or return
- The statement is made with the intention of purchasing and acquiring a firearm – including cases that involve false identification
- The statement is made for the purpose of acquiring, shipping, or selling cigarettes or other tobacco products
- The statement is made in a document referencing a judgment, indebtedness claim, or lien that was filed with a secretary of state, county recorder, or court clerk
- The statement is made for the purpose of acquiring a concealed weapon carry permit
- The statement is made on a legal account, form label, stamp, or record
If you have been charged with falsification under one of these circumstances, it is important that you hire an experienced falsification lawyer in Cincinnati to assist you with your legal defense.
What is the Sentence for a Falsification Conviction?
If you are facing a criminal falsification charge, can you go to jail? If you are convicted, the possible penalties – including jail time – will depend on the circumstances of your case.
If you are ultimately convicted on a first-degree misdemeanor falsification charge, you can receive a maximum of 180 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. However, in some instances, criminal falsification charges are directly linked to a theft crime. When that happens, the charges and penalties will depend on the value of the property or goods that you allegedly stole from someone else.
If you stole property or goods from someone else in the amount of $1,000 to $7,500, you can be charged with a fifth-degree felony, and if you are convicted, you can receive up to 12 months in jail and a top fine of $2,500. However, in cases where the defendant stole property in the amount of $7,500 to $150,000, he or she may face a fourth-degree felony charge, and upon conviction, may receive up to 18 months of incarceration and up to $5,000 in monetary fines. In the event the stolen property is valued at more than $150,000, the defendant may be charged with a third-degree felony, and upon conviction, can receive up to five years in jail and $10,000 in monetary fines.
When a falsification conviction involves a firearm, the penalties can get even more serious. The accused can be charged with a fifth-degree felony, and upon conviction, may receive a maximum of one year in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. In the event the criminal falsification charges stem from a falsified concealed handgun license, then the accused may incur fourth-degree felony charges.
Speak with an Experienced Cincinnati Falsification Lawyer about Your Criminal Charge Today
If you or someone you love is currently facing a criminal falsification charge, the good news is that you may have one or more good legal defenses that are available to you. If you decide not to plead guilty and opt to take your criminal case to trial, your lawyer may argue one of these defenses on your behalf in court. For example, your lawyer might be able to argue that you did not specifically intend to make a false statement, that you did not know the statement was false, and that consequently, you must not be convicted of the offense.
The experienced lawyers at the Joslyn Law Firm welcome the opportunity to defend you throughout your case. Our legal team stands up for those charged in the Cincinnati area, as well as throughout Southwest Ohio counties, including Clermont County, Montgomery County, Greene County, Warren County, Butler County, Campbell County, Brown County, and Hamilton County.
To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Cincinnati falsification attorney, please call us at (513) 399-6289 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you.
