Criminal Offenses And The Law In Cincinnati Ohio

One of the oldest branches of law is criminal law. It defines the rules of how society and its members are to conduct themselves. It also contains penalties to be imposed when someone breaks these rules. In Ohio, laws – statues and ordinances define crimes of all sorts ranging from something as mundane as jaywalking or murder. In Cincinnati a criminal attorney makes this type of law his or her specialty.

What makes the Act or Omission a Criminal Offense?

In order for an act or omission to be considered a criminal offense, it must fall into these categories:

1. The act or conduct is prohibited by law or the individual must fail to perform the act or duty the law requires

2. During the performance of the act, omission or conduct, the individual must be in a state of mind that is defined as guilty or culpable


Furthermore, when an individual is charged with a criminal act, the agency or agencies involved must show one of the following to be valid:

1. The individual acted recklessly

2. The individual was purposeful in the actions or performed with knowledge

3. The action was undertaken with criminal negligence

In Cincinnati a criminal attorney will address these issues prior to and in a court of law.

Classifications of Crimes

In Ohio and through many other jurisdictions, crimes fall into two major classifications. These are misdemeanors and felonies. Of the two types, felonies are the more serious. In Ohio, penalties for felonies are substantially higher than those imposed for misdemeanors are. Aggravated murder is considered the most severe of all felony crimes. It carries the harshest penalty possible – death.

Crimes in the Ohio Criminal Code

In Cincinnati a criminal attorney may handle any of the following, although many specialize in a specific type of criminal law. Categories include:

1. Abduction, kidnapping, false imprisonment, extortion, coercion
2.  Arson, property damage crimes
3. Assault, menacing threats, homicide
4. Bribery, perjury, resisting arrest, harboring criminals, escape, graft, conflict of interest, dereliction of public duty, violation of civil rights
5. Burglary, breaking and entering,  robbery 
6. Conspiracy
7. Drug offenses e.g. cultivation, manufacturing , sale, possession
8. Forgery, fraud
9. Gambling
10. Inciting violence
11. Patient abuse and neglect
12. Racketeering (Corrupt activity)
13. Riot,  disorderly conduct   
14. Sexual assaults including rape, prostitution, obscenity and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles
15. Theft, bad check and credit card offenses
16. Weapons and explosives

If the crime involves violence, as well as “crimes against the person,” it is a felony.

If you find yourself facing a felony or even a misdemeanor, get in touch with a qualified Cincinnati Criminal attorney. He or she will do what is necessary to help you in the circumstances.