State of Ohio Representative Case Summaries

Columbus & Central Ohio representative cases for felony, federal, and misdemeanor criminal charges results

I have handled hundreds of different cases across the state of Ohio. Here are just a few examples — we can discuss others in person — there is, after all, only so much room on the page.

The summaries below refer to actual cases Attorney Joe Edwards has handled with the client’s name kept confidential. The examples provided are not guarantees of future results as each case differs factually and results can vary between clients and courts.

Ohio Criminal Cases

REPRESENTATIVE CRIMINAL CASES

Abduction Charges

Client charged with 2 counts of abduction in Madison County. Trial held: defense argued misidentification. Verdict: NOT Guilty on both counts, case dismissed.

Burglary/Robbery/Theft

Client charged with 2 counts of abduction in Madison County. Trial held: defense argued misidentification. Verdict: NOT Guilty on both counts, case dismissed.

Assault Charges

Client charged with felonious assault and domestic violence in Franklin County. Trial held: defense argued injury was an accident. Prosecution offered plea to misdemeanor after cross-examination of accuser. All felony charges dismissed, client accepted offer of reduced charges.
Client, a medical doctor, was charged with felonious assault and bribery. Trial held. Court declined mistrial due to jury misconduct. Prosecution offered to reduce charges to misdemeanor. Client entered a plea to misdemeanor charges and all felonies dismissed. No jail time

Child Pornography

Drug Charges

Client was stopped by the Columbus Police Department. A search of the truck revealed cocaine and 5 pounds of marijuana. Defense filed motion to suppress evidence claiming the police violated Client’s 4th Amendment Rights. Motion granted and the case dismissed.
Client was stopped in Licking County and police found 5 pounds of marijuana in vehicle. Client admitted to police the marijuana was his. Client entered guilty plea Client received probation with no jail time. 3 years later, Client had conviction expunged and today has no record.
Client charged with 4 counts of trafficking and possession of drugs in Delaware County. Client had previous federal drug conviction. Charges reduced to low-level felonies and Court sentenced Client to probation with no jail time.
Client, an OSU student, was charged in Franklin County with 2 counts of trafficking in marijuana after direct sales to an undercover officer. Court granted defense’s request for Intervention in Lieu of Conviction, treatment program ordered. After completion of the program, case dismissed with no conviction on Client’s record.
Case where client was charged with Felony 1 and Felony 2 drug trafficking offenses. Client had been to prison on two other occasions and entered plea to an F3 drug offense. Client served six months and was granted Judicial Release.

Domestic Violence

Jury trial held, client found not guilty.

Fraud Charges

Client charged in Franklin County with 8 counts of fraud and theft involving the sale of motor vehicle. Trial held: case dismissed after defense’s opening statement, no new charges and no jail time.

Felonious Assault

Client tried to stab husband with wine bottle opener. Negotiated plea of guilty to lesser charge and received probation, no jail time.
State investigated shaken-baby allegations with client, but after investigation by defense, no charges ultimately filed.

Gross Sexual Imposition

Client was facing 1 count of Gross Sexual Imposition. Two day trial, client found Not Guilty.Client was facing 1 count of Gross Sexual Imposition. Two day trial, client found Not Guilty.

Gun Charge ( Concealed Weapon)

Client who worked as a title agent and carried large amounts of cash was charged on two separate occasions with carrying concealed weapon. Two trials were held. During trial, defense argued handgun was possessed for protection purposes. Verdict: NOT GUILTY on each case. Cases dismissed. No conviction.

Intimidation Of Witness

Negotiated plea to misdemeanor. Client received probation and fine with no jail time.

Money Laundering

Client had previously been to State and Federal prison. Negotiated plea to Felony 5. Client received probation and no jail time.
Client found with suitcase containing $96,000 in U.S. Currency. No charges filed.

Murder Charges

Client charged with Attempted Aggravated Murder, in violation of ORC 2923.02(A) after a serious altercation with a hospital security guard. Client found Not Guilty after a Jury Trial.
Client was a security guard charged initially with murder after shooting at apartment complex where he worked. Defense worked and cooperated with the Columbus Police Homicide Unit, investigation showed self-defense. All charges dismissed, no jail time.
Client charged in Muskingum County with murder, child endangering and involuntary manslaughter involving the death of an 18 month old child. Investigation and discovery revealed Client did not commit homicide. Client pleaded guilty to 1 count of child endangering, (F3), time served. Murder and manslaughter charges dismissed.
Client charged with murder committed during an aggravated robbery of a carryout in Columbus, Ohio. The State sought the death penalty. Defense investigation revealed police misconduct in the identification procedure, prosecution and court agreed. Motion granted, case dismissed.
State investigation after shooting death by client, a security guard, at an apartment complex. No charges filed.
US District Court Sentencing Guidelines recommended 40 – 50 month sentence; Negotiated resolution and Client was sentenced to 1 month and 1 day in jail and six months in a halfway house.

Pandering Charges

Sexual Offense/Rape Charges

Client in Franklin County charged with multiple counts of rape and kidnapping, trial held, alibi defense asserted at trial, verdict: NOT GUILTY on all counts, case dismissed, no jail time.
Client charged in Franklin County with multiple counts of rape and kidnapping. Trial held: offered alibi defense and claimed allegations were fabricated, verdict: NOT GUILTY on all counts, case dismissed, no jail time.
Client charged with rape and gross sexual imposition in Franklin County. Client confessed to police. Trial held: defense argued coerced/false confession. Verdict: NOT GUILTY, case dismissed
Client charged with rape in Franklin County. Client maintained sexual relations were consensual. Client took and passed a polygraph test but alleged victim refused to take polygraph. Case dismissed with no charges or jail time.
Client, an Ohio State student, was charged with rape and kidnapping. Defense investigation revealed that accuser was not credible. Information provided to prosecutor. Case dismissed before indictment was even filed, no charges.

Theft

Theft in Office, Franklin County, Ohio: Client was an employee of Franklin County, Ohio. Theft amount was over $17,000 and client charged with Theft in Office. Case reduced to a Misdemeanor with restitution paid and probation. No jail time.
Theft in Office, Franklin County, Ohio municipal employee charged with theft of over $500,000 in cash. Negotiated plea entered and client was released from prison after six months.

Federal Criminal Cases

REPRESENTATIVE FEDERAL CASES

Bank Fraud

Client was charged with bank fraud in Columbus, Ohio arising from her job as a teller. Client pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud. U.S. Sentencing Guidelines required a prison sentence. Motion to reduce sentenced filed and granted. Client received a split sentence, no prison time.
US District Court Sentencing Guidelines recommended 40 – 50 month sentence; Negotiated resolution and Client was sentenced to 1 month and 1 day in jail and six months in a halfway house.

Bribery

Child Pornography

Client charged with federal offense of possessing child pornography on his computer. Client entered guilty plea. U.S. Sentencing Guidelines recommended a sentence of 60 months. Defense filed a motion to reduce sentence and motion was granted. Client sentenced to 29 months in prison and given RDAP (drug treatment program). Client served one year in prison after completing drug program.
Client charged with federal offense of downloading child pornography images via a Tor Browser (Dark Web). Plea agreement negotiated. Client sentenced to eight months in prison.

Cyber Crime

Federal Drug Conspiracy

Spanish speaking Client originally from Guatemala was charged in federal court with a conspiracy to possess approximately 9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Client originally faced 15 years in prison. Plea of guilty to firearm possession. Drug conspiracy charge dismissed. Client received a sentence of 20 months in prison.
Client charged with conspiracy to commit and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of oxycondone. Client entered a plea of guilty. Sentencing Guidelines recommended sentence of 37-46 months. Client sentenced to 12 months and 1 day, released to halfway house after serving 6 months in prison.
Client charged with a conspiracy involving over a 100 kilograms of cocaine. Client was a courier making trips from Columbus to Miami. Client entered a guilty plea and fully cooperated with law enforcement. 26 months prison sentence at minimum security facility with drug treatment.
Client charged with federal drug conspiracy involving over 15,000 pounds of marijuana. Case was in Charleston, WV. Client entered guilty plea. A motion to reduce sentence was filed and granted. Client participated in RDAP program (drug treatment) and was released early to a halfway house after serving 30 months.
Spanish speaking client from Mexico charged with possession of 1 kilogram heroin in federal court. The mandatory minimum sentence for possession for that quantity of heroin is 120 months. Client entered plea of guilty. Defense filed a motion to reduce sentence. Motion was granted and Client was sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Client charged with federal drug conspiracy in Columbus, Ohio involving approximately 10,000 pounds of marijuana. Client pleaded guilty to being a “drug courier.” Defense filed a motion to reduce sentence and the motion was granted. Client sentence(d) to 32 months in prison, but got reduced time for the RDAP program (drug treatment).
More that two (2) kilograms of cocaine. Negotiated resolution, client received probation. No jail time.

Gun Trafficking

International gun trafficking conspiracy. Negotiated plea resolution. 36 months in federal prison with RDAP program (drug treatment). Client released after 24 months.

Identity Theft/Insurance Fraud

Client was under investigation for federal identity theft and insurance fraud in Charleston, WV. Investigation revealed weak case for Government. Client did not plead guilty and Prosecution decided not to file charges. No indictment, no jail time.

Insider Trading/Securities Fraud

Client charged in Federal Court with conspiracy to commit Insider Trading, Securities Fraud and Obstruction of Justice. 6 week jury trial, early release to halfway house.

Mail & Wire Fraud

Bank Fraud, Theft of Mail, Mail and Wire Fraud:

(US District Court) Sentencing Guidelines recommended 40 – 50 month sentence; Negotiated resolution and Client was sentenced to 1 month and 1 day in jail and six months in a halfway house.

Manufacturing of Drugs

Client investigated by Federal Government for manufacturing of drugs throughout the United States and Europe. Negotiated resolution with no charges filed against Client.
Federal investigation involving drugs manufactured with a pill press. Negotiated settlement with no charges filed against Client.

Money Laundering

Federal money laundering and fraud case involving dating site fraud. Amount of loss over one million dollars.
Federal money laundering investigation where client was found with $140,000 in U.S. currency while at Atlanta airport. No charges were filed.

Mortgage Fraud

Obstruction of Justice

Tax Fraud

Client charged with federal tax fraud in Columbus, Ohio. After a plea of guilty was entered, defense filed motion to reduce sentence. Motion granted. Client received split sentence of 6 months in a halfway house and 6 months home confinement with work privileges. No prison time.

White Collar Crime

DUI, Traffic, & Misdemeanor Cases

MISDEMEANOR & OTHER CASES

D.U.I. Charges

Client with a 0.195 BAC Test, over 2 times the legal limit, first offense. Charge reduced to impaired violation. Plea entered. Client attended alcohol counseling and served no jail time.
Client with a 0.16 BAC Test. Client crashed into police cruiser. Charged reduced to first offense. Client attended alcohol counseling and served no jail time.
Client with a 0.26 BAC Test, over 3 times the legal limit. This was the third overall offense for Client. Client pleads guilty to second stipulated offense. Served 10 days in jail and probation.
Client charged with D.U.I., second offense, while already on probation for a D.U.I. offense and driving outside of occupation privileges. Plea entered, 15 days in jail and probation continued.
Client charged with second offense D.U.I., refused to take test. Subsequently, client charged with domestic violence. Client pleads guilty to first offense D.U.I. and receives a 3 day alcohol program. Domestic violence reduced to disorderly conduct, no additional jail time.
Client charged with second D.U.I. offense. Client left scene of accident and tested 0.18 two hours after the accident. Case reduced to a minor traffic offense and no D.U.I. conviction. No jail time and no driver’s license suspension. Defense successfully argued alcohol consumption occurred after accident but before test.
Client passed out in vehicle in fast food drive through lane, second offense overall. Refused to take test. Client entered guilty plea to D.U.I., first offense, 3 days in jail.
Client riding motorcycle with no helmet crashes into vehicle in front of him, strikes head, and refuses to take test. Case reduced to reckless operation of a motor vehicle after defense successfully argued poor performance on field sobriety test and slurred speech was the result of head injury not alcohol.

Domestic Violence/Assault

40 year-old client charged with assault. Client had previous felonious assault conviction. Case reduced to disorderly conduct, no jail time, small fine.
35 year-old female client charged with domestic violence and assault. Client pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. No jail time or probation.

License Suspension

21 year-old client had nine moving violations in two years, including driving while under a 12 point suspension. Lawsuit was filed against BMV, client received operational privileges until license fully reinstated.

Federal Habeas Corpus

Federal Habeas Corpus is a procedure under which a Federal Court may review the legality of an individual’s incarceration. It is used to review a state-level conviction when all other means of appeal have been exhausted.

Death Row

Argued Ineffective Assistance of Counsel, Habeas petition granted. Death verdict set aside and sentenced reduced.
Argued violation of Miranda Rights, Habeas petition granted. Death verdict set aside and sentence reduced.