If you’ve been accused or charged with murder in Ohio, hope is not lost. Our attorneys at Hiltner Trial Lawyers have successfully defended people charged with murder and brought them home to their families with all charges dropped.
“Max Hiltner is dynamite in the courtroom by connecting with the jury, recalling facts and cultivating good relationships with the opponents and presiding judge. He is professional, dedicated, honest and cares about the livelihood of his clients and their families. He excels in negotiating and hiring experts necessary for a well rounded defense. Max was one of my lawyers that stood between me and a life sentence. Without him on my team I would still be in prison. He will fight for you.” – Colleen O.
Murder Cases in Ohio
Murder charges in Ohio are the most serious types of criminal charges someone can face. That’s because murder, unlike manslaughter, suggests that the perpetrator had the intent to kill their victim.
Ohio law states that a person accused of murder must be suspected of all of the following:
- Purposefully causing the death a person other than himself (or unlawful termination of a pregnancy)
- Causing the death of another person while attempting to commit a violent felony (with some exceptions)
If convicted of murder, you could face the harshest penalties permissible by law, ranging anywhere from 15-30 years in prison, a life sentence, or even the death penalty. Serious fines may be included in the penalty, as well as a class 2 suspension of the perpetrator’s driver’s license if a motor vehicle was involved when they allegedly committed the crime.
Self-Defense Cases in Ohio
In some instances, it may be necessary to protect yourself or others.
Traditionally, Ohio has always had the “Castle Doctrine,” which means that a person does not have a duty to try to run away (or voice their intent to run away) before using self-defense if they are defending themselves in their home, place of business, or their car.
As of April 5, 2021, Ohio’s new “Stand Your Ground” law has also gone into effect.
The new law states that the duty to run away (known as a “duty to retreat”) no longer applies to any cases of self-defense.
But this does not mean that claiming self-defense is necessarily easier.
To claim self-defense, Ohio law requires a defendant to prove:
- They were not the aggressor in the situation; and
- They had a reasonable belief that they were in danger
Why Choose Hiltner Trial Lawyers
Understandably, you need an experienced and dedicated defense attorney to defend you if you’re charged with murder in Ohio. At Hiltner Trial Lawyers, we’ve helped many clients through their murder cases.
At Hiltner Trial Lawyers, we’ve helped many clients through their murder cases.
One of our most high-profile cases involved a young woman who had acted in self-defense and was accused of murder. The jury trial lasted approximately two weeks and resulted in a hung jury, and the young woman was able to go home.