Ohio District Attorneys
By Eric Harvey, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed November 25, 2023
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Contacting a district attorney can be risky. On the one hand, securing a favorable plea agreement may be necessary. It could also be necessary to convince the D.A. that charges should be reduced or dropped altogether.
A district attorney (D.A.) is the prosecuting officer of a criminal case. They are the official who represents the government in prosecuting criminal offenses. When a crime is alleged to have occurred, the D.A.'s office decides whether to file criminal charges. Sometimes, charges are filed after convening a grand jury. This is done to examine the evidence. Other times, charges are levied through the information filed by the prosecutor.
On the other hand, the prosecutor is your opponent. Communications with the prosecution must be carefully considered. You need to be careful with a D.A. to avoid revealing your defense strategy or making admissions that could worsen your situation.
In Ohio, district attorneys are called “prosecuting attorneys." The following directory will help you get in touch with your local prosecutor. It will also provide more information about what a D.A. does.
Ohio Attorney General
State attorneys general represent their respective states in litigation. Attorneys general also serve residents by enforcing consumer protection and other laws. The Ohio Attorney General is an elected position. They administrate the criminal justice system and criminal law matters in the state of Ohio. They are the senior-most prosecutor in the state. District attorneys assist law enforcement in enforcing the law in their respective jurisdictions.
Prosecuting attorneys throughout counties in Ohio are under the Attorney General. They handle a variety of matters, including all criminal law matters, such as the following:
- Domestic violence
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- White-collar crimes, including credit card fraud and identity theft
- Other criminal offenses
The offices of prosecuting attorneys also handle expungement. Expungement is the removal of convictions and charges from a person's criminal record. Typically, county prosecutors will handle misdemeanor offenses. They also often only appear in municipal courts, which are lower-level Ohio courts.
Remember, the prosecuting attorney's office handles other practice areas. These include consumer protection issues. At the prosecutor's office, a variety of legal issues are always being handled.
Directory of Ohio District Attorneys
In Ohio, district attorneys are called prosecuting attorneys or county prosecutors. Below are helpful links to Ohio prosecuting attorneys by county and city.
Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney (Cleveland) |
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Note: We strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state. But this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.
Get Legal Advice Before Talking to an Ohio District Attorney
If you're being prosecuted, it may be wise to consult an attorney before you speak to the prosecutor. An attorney can help ensure that your communications don't result in an accidental admission of guilt. They can help prevent any other avoidable mistake. Contact a local criminal defense attorney today. You can discuss how to best handle your interactions with the prosecution with an attorney. It's important to discuss all other critical aspects of your defense.
If you can't afford an attorney, you still have other options. You can contact the office of the public defender. Attorneys with the office of the public defender can provide free legal services to qualifying people. You can also contact Legal Aid Ohio, where attorneys provide free or low-cost legal help to people with low income. You can find legal aid groups throughout the state by searching for them online. If you need a referral for an attorney, contact the Ohio State Bar Association. They can provide free referrals for attorneys.
It's important to get the legal help you need. It's neither a good idea nor necessary to try to handle your legal issues on your own. Criminal lawyers can help you reach the best possible outcome in your case.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer
- Defense attorneys can help protect your rights
- A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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