Columbus Gun Charge Defense Attorney
Gun Laws and Penalties for Violations in Ohio
You may unintentionally break the law and face criminal gun charges if you allow your permit to carry a concealed weapon expire, or you forget to lock your gun case and a child gains possession of the weapon. A firearm is a deadly weapon that is capable of shooting projectiles regardless of whether it is unloaded or temporarily inoperable. That includes any rifle, pistol or portable gun, automatic or semi-automatic rifle or a sawed-off shotgun. A zip gun or crude firearm, a starter's pistol or a safety device like a flare gun are also in the category of deadly weapons. Ohio has strict gun laws and if you are in violation, you need to speak with a defense lawyer immediately, as penalties can mean jail or prison, fines and a criminal record.
Unlawful Firearms Use
There are laws in place to control the use of guns so people avoid hurting themselves and others. If one knowingly engages in illegal gun use, the offenses can range from a misdemeanor to a major felony. Carrying a concealed firearm without a proper permit and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle are both violations of state law. Selling, buying or otherwise transacting or being in unlawful possession of a firearm are criminal activities and made worse if a gun is provided to a minor. The use of a gun or any firearm while intoxicated is a violation.
Convicted felons cannot possess or use a firearm and if caught, the individual may face a charge of a felony in the 3rd degree. The improper discharge of a firearm near or over a public roadway, at or near a cemetery, or into an occupied structure also violates gun laws. If one knowingly fires a gun within 1,000 feet of a school or safety zone and the act causes a panic and evacuation of the grounds, the violator will probably face serious charges.
Penalties for Gun Offenses
Most cases for unlawful use of firearms are a misdemeanor charge. For a minor misdemeanor it is a maximum fine of $150. A 4th to 1st degree minor penalties can mean a maximum 180 days in jail, and fines up to $1,000. Felonies in the 5th degree to 1st degree can carry a sentence of 6 months to 10 years in prison, and fines from $2,500 to $20,000.
Our Columbus criminal attorneys can explain what charges for a gun offense can mean to your future. Call The Meranda Law Firm LTD today.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"As stress free as it can be"A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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"Great Representation"There are three reasons I recommend Zachuary Meranda if you are arrested for DUI. First off, he is a straight shooter. Never did he sugar coat my situation. Second, he handled everything while keeping me informed and walked me through everything as it progressed. Third, he got me the result- NO DUI!!! Thanks Zak!- Shane Dolen
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"Excellent job!"We are very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Zach Meranda. The outcome was positive and he made us feel secure in an out of control situation. Felt glad to have him defending us and having his common sense approach to our case. We would recommend his services to anyone in need.- Anonymous
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"I Highly Recommend The Meranda Law Firm"I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I've had other attorneys and Zach is the only one that actually knew my case and put a lot of time and effort into making sure the outcome was good, which it definitely was. I really think he is one of the best attorneys & I highly recommend him to anyone that needs legal help.- Payton R
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"Great work!!"Zach Meranda was a real attorney with a no bull shit strategy!!! But he won my criminal case even when the odds were against me and I thank him and his associates!!- Pfeifer
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"Great Job"Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
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"Great Attorney"Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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"An Attorney That Will Give You His All!"Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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What should I do if my child was arrested?No parent wants their child to have to go through an ordeal like being arrested. When these situations do occur, it can be difficult to determine what the best course of action would be. The juvenile justice system is different from the adult justice system and so it is important that you have a legal representative who understands the juvenile system and can help you get through this time. Whether your child has been accused of DUI, a drug crime, a misdemeanor, or a felony, you will be able to have peace of mind knowing that we are there helping you every step of the way.
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Can I afford a criminal defense attorney?Another question you will have to consider when deciding which defense lawyer to handle your case is whether or not you can afford it. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, we want to be able to provide reasonable rates to our clients so that you can get the help you need. In order to give you an idea of how much it will be, we will meet with you in a free consultation and discuss what kind of fees you could expect.
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How do I appeal my conviction?What should you do if you have already been convicted of a crime and have received your sentence? If you believe that justice was not served, your first step should be to contact our firm to see if we could help you appeal your case. Not every attorney takes on appeal cases they can be more complex and time-consuming than other cases. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, however, we are committed to fighting for the rights of our clients, no matter how difficult the case. If you want us to look over your case, please contact our team as soon as possible.
