Cleveland Criminal Defense Lawyer

At the Law Office of A. Dale Naticchia, we believe that every defendant deserves dedicated legal counsel during a criminal investigation or proceeding. Our team has provided advocacy to residents of Cleveland, Akron, and other areas of Cuyahoga County for the past 30 years. This means that we have substantial experience with the local court system, prosecutors, and judges. Whether you have been charged with a theft crime, a drug offense, or another crime, Cleveland criminal defense lawyer A. Dale Naticchia can ensure that your personal needs are addressed and that you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the proceedings. He will work tirelessly to develop a strategic approach to the charges that you are facing.

Some of the cases that we handle involve drug charges, for which the penalties that you face vary depending on the substance involved and the amount of the substance in your possession. The penalties also depend on the reason why you had the substance, such as an intent to distribute, transport, or manufacture. Although you may be eager to work with the authorities to clear your name, speaking to them without an attorney can jeopardize your rights and cost you your freedom.

Instead, a criminal defense attorney in the Cleveland area can work to investigate substantive and procedural defenses that may be available. For example, if the police did not properly respect your Fourth Amendment rights when they seized the drugs in question, your attorney can file a motion to suppress this evidence. Unless an exception applies, law enforcement cannot conduct a search and seizure in your home without probable cause. If this happens, the evidence obtained through that search likely will be excluded. This may force the prosecution to drop or reduce the charge.

Another common criminal matter that arises in Cuyahoga County is a domestic violence allegation. This situation often involves competing stories as well as complex interpersonal dynamics, and law enforcement may not always see the facts clearly. We can retain witnesses to testify in support of your version of events while looking into ways to discredit the accuser’s story. Perhaps they made allegations based on an improper motive, such as gaining the upper hand in a child custody dispute, or perhaps they consented to the conduct. As with other charges, the prosecution needs to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. A Cleveland criminal defense attorney can make sure that it is held to that heavy burden.

A third type of crime with which you may be charged consists of theft offenses like burglary or shoplifting. Convictions of these crimes can lead to serious consequences, but they often contain several elements, one or more of which can be attacked. Most theft crimes contain an intent element, which means that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to deprive the victim of the property in question. If we can cast doubt on your mental state at the time of the crime, we should be able to defeat the charge. Perhaps you had a good-faith belief that you owned or had received the property, or perhaps you were mistaken as to the specific items in your possession.

Regardless of the criminal charge that you are facing, A. Dale Naticchia is prepared to listen carefully to your needs and to help you develop a legal strategy that will put your strongest position forward. We vigilantly protect the rights of our clients at every stage of the proceedings, from the initial investigation to any sentencing that occurs. Representing people in Cleveland, Akron, Parma, Bedford, Berea, Rocky River, Garfield Heights, Stow, and Barberton, we offer a free consultation to help you learn more about your legal rights and how we might be able to assist you. Call us now at 216-520-5297 or contact us online to set up your appointment.