• FAQ s

How much do you charge?
How much do you charge for a divorce?
How much do you charge for an OVI or Drunk Driving?
Can I make payments?
Do You Do Pro Bono Cases?
I have a warrant – can you take care of it?
Can you get my case dismissed?
Can you file for Judicial Release?
Can Children Services question my children without me present?
Can Children Services make me do a drug test?
Are the police allowed to search my home/car/person?
Can I get an old conviction expunged?
Can I sue the police?
Can I sue someone for spreading lies about me?
Can you get me off the registered sex offender list?
I heard that the state is letting people out of jail / prison early; can you get my loved one out?
I’m innocent, why won’t they just dismiss the charge?
I called the Police last night on my spouse and now I want to drop the charges.
Do you deal with employment issues? Landlord/tenant issues?
What kind of cases do you do?
Where are you located?
Do you do free consultations?
I know you just spent thirty minutes answering my questions, but can you talkto my husband now and repeat everything you just said?

How much do you charge?

Flat Fee Cases:  

• Dissolutions
• OVI Defense
• Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Demand Letters
• Misdemeanor and Felony Defense

Hourly Fee Cases:

Everything Else, between $100- $300 per hour depending on complexity

Contingent Fee Cases:

“I don’t get paid unless you get paid”

Personal Injury Cases, some others

Please Contact me at 614-263-5297 or complete the form at the right of this page with as much information as you can provide and we will give you the best quote for your situation.

How much do you charge for a divorce?

It depends on the expected degree of difficulty of your case, including whether or not you have children, own real estate, or if the divorce will be contested. There are often unanticipated issues that arise and for this reason domestic cases are usually done on a timed billing basis. A dissolution, which by definition is a complete agreement resolving all issues, can be done for a flat fee between $500 and $2,500.

How much do you charge for an OVI (Driving under the Influence or DUI)?

The fee for an OVI ranges from $800 to $4,500 for a misdemeanor OVI and depends upon the number and degree of companion charges, and the client’s expectation of what issues to raise.  The more expensive fees are for cases where an expert is needed to challenge forensic evidence, or involving a large number of witnesses to interview.  Felony OVIs and jury trials are on a case by case basis.

Can I make payments?

We will try to work with you and in some circumstances can offer a payment plan.  Generally, the higher the fee, the more likely I will be to offer a plan. Proof of employment, creditworthiness, collateral, or a co-signer may be required.

Do You Do Pro Bono Cases?  I have done many Pro Bono cases, and offer free services every day, but most clients have to pay for in-court services.  To submit a request for pro bono services you MUST describe your case in a US mail letter or via the web inquiry system, or have a referral from another attorney.

I have a warrant – can you take care of it?

We can help you get your warrant set aside.  This is often possible for drug offenses, theft, and non-violent charges.  However, depending on the charge and the county a personal appearance in court or slating at the jail may be required before the Judge will set your case for a hearing.  In Franklin County all misdemeanor domestic violence, assault, voyeurism, and some other cases require slating, unless the victim cooperates and comes to court to ask for a warrant set aside.  OVI cases require fingerprinting unless documented prior to the arraignment.

Can you get my case dismissed?

We will work hard to achieve the best possible outcome for your case, and sometimes this will result in a case being dismissed. However, we can never guarantee a case being dismissed. Each case is different and the outcome will depend on the facts of your particular case, the attitude of the prosecuting attorney, and your attitude toward risk. Even if the facts seem clear to you, they are not always viewed that way by the court. If a prosecutor is unwilling to dismiss the charges or make an acceptable offer to resolve the case, then winning a trial is the only possibility to be found not guilty. I have extensive experience and am comfortable doing jury trials if that is the best option for my clients. You would have the final say in whether or not to have a trial.

Can you file for Judicial Release?

Yes, we can file Motions for Judicial Release when inmates are eligible. The fee is a flat fee of $1600.00. Please see the Resources tab for additional information to determine eligibility requirements.

Can Children Services question my children without me present?

Yes.  However, you and your child are entitled to an attorney before answering any incriminating questions.  You and a child have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer any questions.  If the questions are possibly incriminating or may cause harm to your family advise the investigator you need to consult an attorney before going further.

Can Children Services make me do a drug test?

No, unless you are already under a court order to do so.  Children Services can however seek a court order or can file for custody if they suspect a child is in danger.

 Are the police allowed to search my home/car/person?

It depends.  You can refuse a search if the Police don’t have a search warrant, especially of your home.  You don’t have to agree to a search, but doing so may arouse suspicion.  In the case of your car, it can be searched “incident to arrest” or based on probable cause, such as the odor of marijuana.   If the Police don’t have any evidence against you, it will have consequences when you give it to them.  And, remember, the Police can lie to you in furtherance of an investigation, by saying they have evidence they really don’t have.  That’s way it is always best to get legal advice before talking to the Police.

Can I get an old conviction expunged?

If you are eligible we can file an application for expungement for a flat fee of $600.00. Any case that was dismissed is automatically eligible for expungement. Please see the Resources tab for additional information to determine eligibility for expungement.

Can I sue the police?

ONLY for intentional tortious conduct or civil rights violations based upon a pattern or policy of reckless disregard for your civil rights.  In most cases, you cannot sue the Police or any governmental agency for negligence.   Intentional or reckless tortious conduct must be proved with strong evidence, such as a video recording or numerous witnesses.

Can I sue someone for spreading lies about me?

Yes, but you usually have to prove damages (loss of money).  If you are defamed in your business or profession, damages are presumed, but you still have to prove the amount of loss to get a substantial award.

Can you file to get me off the registered sex offender list?

If you were sentenced prior to the passage of the Adam Walsh Act, and are registering beyond your original sentence, it may be possible.  Also, if convicted in another State or Federal law, and you moved to Ohio it is worth investigating.   Some Juvenile convictions are eligible to be removed.  At the end of your registration period you can be removed.

I heard that the state is letting people out of jail/prison early; can you get my loved one out?

Yes, if they are eligible for Judicial Release, Parole, Pardon, Post-Conviction relief, or there is evidence of wrongful conviction.  The best time to handle this is by hiring a qualified attorney before your loved one is convicted, or better still getting legal advice before considering committing a crime.

I’m innocent, why won’t they just dismiss the charge?

Sometimes they will, when a qualified attorney brings a lack of evidence to the Prosecutor’s attention.   Prosecutors have an ethical obligation not to prosecute innocent people.   But, don’t expect immediate results.  It is hard to convince people they are wrong and nobody likes to admit making a mistake.

I called the Police last night on my spouse or boyfriend or partner and now I want to drop the charges.

This is possibly one of the most common questions I get.  Almost never will the charges be dropped right away just because you ask.  Were you drinking when you contacted the authorities? Mistakes do happen when we’re under the influence- and you’re definitely not the first client who’s told me this.  Situations like that can make a difference when approaching the Prosecutor to drop charges.  It is possible to convince the Prosecutor a dismissal is justified through diligent efforts of your legal counsel.  If you want the Prosecutor to drop the charges, you don’t have to talk to them or their employees.  You must get good legal advice to obtain your desired outcome.

Do you deal with employment issues? Landlord/tenant issues? Bankruptcy?

No. We do not handle Employment Law, Bankruptcy, Worker’s Compensation, or wrongful termination cases.   We do represent landlords, and consider tenant matters ONLY for existing clients or with a referral. You can call the Columbus Bar Association for a referral at 614-221-4112.

What kind of cases do you do?

Answers to the kinds of cases I handle can be found listed down the left side of this page.  You’re welcome to contact me at 614-263-5297 or submit your legal question using the contact form to the right of the page.

Where are you located?

The main office is at 3212 North High Street in Columbus, Ohio and we schedule appointments with clients within a one-hour drive from Columbus.  In the case of handicapped or elderly clients the Attorney can schedule a home visit.

Do you do free consultations?

Yes, on the phone or through the web site.  Upon request we may do a free office consultation.

I know you just spent thirty minutes answering my questions, but can you talk to my husband now and repeat everything you just said?

NO.  I encourage you to take detailed notes during your consultation however cannot repeat all the information to a spouse or loved one after explaining it to you.  When you retain me as your attorney I’d be glad to meet with you and reiterate the finer points of your defense.