Criminal law is the vast area of legal practice that deals with legal violations. Unlike civil law cases, in which two individual parties attempt to assert their rights, criminal law cases involve just one party who must go up against the state or federal government. Whereas the outcome of a civil suit might be a financial settlement, criminal cases can end with a conviction and corresponding penalties.

Common Objectives of Criminal Cases

Every traditional criminal case has several objectives. These are retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, and restoration. Retribution refers to the idea that those who violate the law should be punished, while deterrence requires imposing a penalty severe enough to discourage them from breaking the law again.

Violent crimes or those that put others at risk, like drunk driving, call for incapacitation, which simply means keeping offenders away from innocent victims. After the criminal is rehabilitated back into society, the court will attempt to repair any injustices suffered by others as a result of the crime, also known as restoration. 

Common Examples of Criminal Cases

Every state has two kinds of offenses under criminal law: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are lesser offenses that carry a jail sentence of no more than 12 months, while felonies are more serious crimes that can result in at least one year in prison.

Common misdemeanors in Ohio include trespassing, petty theft, speeding, parking in a handicapped space, possession of drug paraphernalia, vandalism, assault, and driving under the influence; however, many of these offenses can result in felony charges if there are any aggravating factors or the suspect is a habitual criminal. Common felonies in the state of Ohio include grand theft auto, robbery, manufacturing or processing explosives, kidnapping, rape, voluntary manslaughter, and murder. 

If you’ve been charged with a crime in Ohio, turn to David S. Washington, Jr. for help navigating the legal proceedings. Based in Hamilton, this firm focuses solely on criminal defense and personal injury law. Whether you are facing charges related to manslaughter, reckless driving, or drug trafficking, you can rely on their strategic team to help you secure the best outcomes possible. Visit their website to learn more about the comprehensive counsel they provide. You can schedule a confidential consultation with a criminal law attorney by calling (513) 751-1400.