In Ohio a misdemeanor is the less serious of charge classifications as between a felony and misdemeanor. However, a misdemeanor conviction can carry with it substantial fines and a jail sentence. Misdemeanors are ranked from least serious (4th degree misdemeanor) to most serious (1st degree misdemeanor).
If you or a loved one has been charged with a misdemeanor, call now to start your defense.
COMMON MISDEMEANOR CHARGES:
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FIRST DEGREE: Joyriding, Petty theft, violating a protection order, assault, having a gun without a permit.
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SECOND DEGREE: Resisting arrest, hazing, and harassing a police dog.
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THIRD DEGREE: Loitering and Criminal mischief.
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FOURTH DEGREE: Failure to disburse, possession of drug paraphernalia, menacing.
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MINOR MISDEMEANOR: Disorderly conduct, reckless driving.
In addition to a jail sentence, the court could also impose up to a $1,000 fine.
For example, Menacing is a misdemeanor of the 4th degree. However, if the victim is an officer or employee of a public children services agency and the offense relates to their official duties then menacing is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
This means that a menacing conviction could result in a jail sentence of up to 180 days.
MENACING:
No person shall knowingly cause another to believe that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family.
In addition to any other basis for the other person's belief that the offender will cause physical harm to the person or property of the other person, the other person's unborn, or a member of the other person's immediate family, the other person's belief may be based on words or conduct of the offender that are directed at or identify a corporation, association, or other organization that employs the other person or to which the other person belongs.