Violent Crimes
Violent Crimes Attorney in Cincinnati
Criminal Defense Built on Hamilton County Prosecution Experience
Before founding Shark Law in 2013, Shane “The Shark” Herzner spent three years inside the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, building and arguing violent crime and felony cases in the same courts where he now defends clients. That time on the other side of the table isn’t background color. It’s the foundation of how we approach every violent crime defense in Cincinnati.
With 22 years of legal experience and hundreds of clients represented, we handle assault, aggravated assault, murder, and homicide charges, along with the full range of felony and misdemeanor criminal defense. Violent crime charges in Ohio run from third-degree misdemeanors to first-degree felonies carrying decades in prison. The charge you’re facing determines the strategy, and early involvement by a defense attorney can affect what options remain available.
If you or someone you know is facing a violent crime charge in Cincinnati, call us now at (513) 924-4378. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7.
Violent Crime Cases We Handle in Cincinnati
Our practice covers the full range of violent crime charges prosecuted in Hamilton County courts. Each charge carries its own statutory framework, sentencing range, and defense considerations, which is why we maintain dedicated focus on each one.
The charges we defend include:
- Assault and Aggravated Assault: From third-degree misdemeanor assault to aggravated assault as a fourth-degree felony, the distinction often turns on provocation or serious physical harm
- Murder and Homicide: Charges governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2903, including aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and felonious assault
- Robbery and Aggravated Robbery: Aggravated robbery under ORC 2911.01 is a first-degree felony and among the most aggressively prosecuted charges in Hamilton County
- Kidnapping: Generally a first-degree felony under ORC 2905.01, with potential reduction to a second-degree felony when the victim is released unharmed
Our practice also includes domestic violence defense, which we handle as a separate area of focus given its distinct legal procedures and consequences.
How Ohio Law Classifies Violent Crimes
Ohio Revised Code Title 29 governs criminal offenses in the state, and violent crimes span a wide range of classifications. Negligent assault is a third-degree misdemeanor. Aggravated murder is a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment or death. Where your charge falls on that spectrum shapes every aspect of defense strategy.
Hamilton County prosecutors pursue violent crime charges aggressively, and Ohio law often imposes mandatory minimums or enhanced sentencing when a weapon is involved or the victim falls into a protected category. A single incident can also produce multiple charges of varying severity, making it essential to understand what each count means for your case.
Ohio’s felony degrees and their maximum prison terms:
- First-Degree Felony: Up to 11 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines
- Second-Degree Felony: Up to 8 years in prison
- Third-Degree Felony: Up to 36 months for most offenses, and up to 60 months for certain F3 offenses involving violence
- Fourth-Degree Felony: Up to 18 months in prison
- Fifth-Degree Felony: Up to 12 months in prison and up to $2,500 in fines
Beyond prison time, a violent crime conviction in Ohio can strip away firearm rights, create employment barriers, limit eligibility for government assistance, and affect professional licensing. These collateral consequences can follow a conviction long after a sentence is served.
Defense Strategies for Violent Crime Charges in Ohio
Ohio law presumes every defendant innocent. Under ORC 2901.05, the burden of proof rests entirely with the prosecution, which must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That standard creates real opportunities for an effective defense, but only when the defense attorney gets involved early enough to identify and act on them.
Common approaches in violent crime defense include:
- Self-Defense and Defense of Others: Ohio law permits the use of force when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to protect themselves or another person from imminent harm
- Misidentification: Eyewitness testimony is among the least reliable forms of evidence, and cross-examining identification witnesses is a core part of defense work in these cases
- Constitutional Challenges: Evidence gathered in violation of Fourth or Fifth Amendment rights can be suppressed, which may significantly weaken the prosecution’s case
- False Allegations: In cases arising from disputes or relationship conflicts, we investigate the circumstances behind the initial complaint
- Evidentiary Review: We examine whether the physical evidence, witness statements, and investigation procedures hold up to scrutiny
Plea negotiation is another tool in a violent crime defense. Depending on the facts and the strength of what the prosecution can actually prove, it may be possible to seek a charge reduction from felony to misdemeanor. That’s not a guarantee, but it’s a realistic possibility in cases where the evidence has gaps. Every defense plan we build is tailored to the specific facts of that client’s situation.
Steps To Take
After Violent Crimes
Defending Cincinnati Clients with the Prosecution’s Playbook
Shane Herzner worked as a Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor from 2005 to 2008, handling hundreds of cases including OVIs, misdemeanors, and felonies in the same courts where he now appears for the defense. He moved to criminal defense in 2009 and opened Shark Law in 2013. That sequence matters because former prosecutors understand how charging decisions get made, how investigators document evidence, and which arguments carry weight before Hamilton County judges and juries.
That background shapes how we work with every client facing violent crime charges. We don’t approach a case from the outside looking in. We know how the prosecution is likely to frame the evidence, which witnesses they’ll rely on, and where the case may be vulnerable. Shane is also certified in NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and co-authored the Amazon Best Selling Legal Book “A Cup of Coffee with 10 of the Best DUI Attorneys.”
Clients receive direct cell phone access to Shane Herzner throughout their case, along with a personalized defense plan built around their specific circumstances. When you have a question, you won’t wait days for an answer.
Speak with a Cincinnati Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
The sooner we’re involved, the more time there is to gather evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and protect your rights before the process moves further. If you’re under investigation or have already been charged, don’t wait.
Shark Law offers free initial consultations and is available around the clock. Call (513) 924-4378 now to speak directly with Shane Herzner about your case.
Sound legal defense is vital to obtaining the most favorable outcome possible for your case. Your attorney will contribute credibility to your account of the events, and use this to your advantage in the overall case proceedings. Call now: (513) 924-4378.
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“Shane's ability to navigate the legal process and persuasive arguments in court were instrumental in securing a favorable result. I am forever grateful for his representation!”
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