Columbus, OH
Criminal defense Lawyer at Columbus, OH
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI ... +3 more
OUTCOME: Reduction of origninal charges to minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct offense
Client was charged with Aggravated Menacing offense for brandishing a firearm in a road rage incident. After thoroughly investigating the case and explaining the situation to the Prosecutor the case w ... as amended to a minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct offense. The client only had to pay a minimum fine and court cost.
OUTCOME: Misdemeanor Theft Charge.
There was a high school kid who just turned 18 that was charged with Aggravated Robbery in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. A young man and his 17 year old high school friend were charged with Ro ... bbery after it was alleged that they stole a $20 watch in a Wal-Mart and pushed passed a security officer to get away. The young man had aspiration of attending college, so this was obviously going to jeopardize his chances of attending school, as well as obtaining gainful employment. After much negotiation with the prosecution, it was finally offered as a misdemeanor offense. The plea offer was now to an offense that could be expunged after he successfully completed probation.
OUTCOME: Case Expunged and Record Sealed.
A gentleman came into our office asking if we can do anything about a felony that was preventing him from pursuing a lucrative career. He stated on several occasions he would be at the final stage of t ... he employment process only to be turned away once the employer noticed the felony burglary. To make matters worse, this was a case that was originally dismissed; however, unless sealed from one's record, it will remain on your record for all to see. The prosecution was being extremely difficult – filing objections based on a high government interest. A hearing was necessary. After a full hearing on the matter, the Judge ruled in our favor and the case was expunged and his record sealed.
OUTCOME: Not Guilty Verdict.
Client was facing criminal damaging charges in Licking County Municipal Court. In addition to facing jail time and extensive fines, our client was also facing a probation violation if convicted. Afte ... r a plea deal could not be reached, the case proceeded to trial. After 35 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY.
OUTCOME: Case Dismissed.
One minor indiscretion can cause a lifetime of rebuilding your reputation. Our client was charged with Petty Theft in Franklin County Municipal Court. After discussing the case with prosecution and o ... ur client, it was negotiated for our client to enter into the Theft Diversion Program. Upon completion of Diversion, the case was dismissed, as well as our client. As most know, having a Theft on your record is the Achilles Heel to any job prospect. Now, she will never have to worry about explaining herself or her situation to any future employers.
OUTCOME: Case Dismissed.
In most instances, reading through a police report is going to make anyone seem guilty. It is when an attorney further investigates into a matter that the truth is finally revealed. Our client was ch ... arged with OVI. He was said to have failed the Field Sobriety Tests, as well as blowing over on the PBT. Nevertheless, after discussing the case with my client, I found it necessary to have a Suppression Hearing on the case to challenge the validity of the stop and subsequent tests. After reviewing the video and cross-examining the officer, it was shown that the report was not entirely accurate, that my client had performed quite well on the Field Tests, and his driving performance was much better than what was described in the police report. Subsequently, the prosecutor and I, as well as the Judge discussed the possibility of dismissing the case. After much deliberation, the prosecution finally decided the case was not strong enough to move forward and dismissed the case. Without the Suppression Hearing, this would not have been possible.
OUTCOME: Probation and Fine.
Client was charged with three violations under the Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.), which if convicted, could have been sentenced to a total of 210 days incarceration and a fine of $1750.00. The client was ... charged with the following charges: O.R.C. 2921.33 - Resisting Arrest, a misdemeanor of the second degree, which carries a possible penalty of 90 days incarceration and a $750.00 fine; O.R.C. 2909.06 - Criminal Damaging, a misdemeanor of the second degree, which carries a possible penalty of 90 days incarceration and a $750.00 fine; and O.R.C. 2917.11 - Disorderly Conduct while Intoxicated, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, which carries a possible penalty of 30 days incarceration and a $250.00 fine. Upon reviewing the facts and conducting a thorough investigation by interviewing all of the witnesses involved in the case, Attorney Zachuary Meranda was able to work out a plea deal in which the Resisting Arrest and Criminal Damaging charges were dismissed in their entirety. Additionally, Mr. Meranda was able to have the Disorderly Conduct while Intoxicated charge amended to exclude the "Intoxication" portion of the charge so that this charge would not affect the client's future endeavors at becoming a nurse. At the end of the day the client received a probation and a fine.
OUTCOME: Suspended Sentence and Fine.
Teenage client was charged with Criminal Trespass, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree carrying a possible penalty of 30 days incarceration and a $250.00 fine; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdem ... eanor of the fourth degree carrying a possible penalty of 30 days incarceration a $250.00 fine and a six month license suspension; Possession of Controlled Substance less than Bulk Amount, a misdemeanor of the third degree carrying a possible penalty of 60 days incarceration, a $500.00 fine and a six month license suspension; Possession of Controlled Substance less than Bulk Amount, a misdemeanor of the third degree carrying a possible penalty of 60 days incarceration, a $500.00 fine and a six month license suspension; and Possession of Marijuana, a minor misdemeanor carrying a max penalty of $150.00. IF convicted of the drug charges this honor student would have run into substantial barriers when it came to getting financial aid for his college of choice, Case Western. Attorney Meranda was able to engage the client in drug counseling and show the court that this client was like any other bright Honor Student and he acted out without thinking. The clients actions could have cost him his future; however, Attorney Zachuary Meranda was able to work out a plea deal where the Honor Student could still keep his future plans and attend Case Western. The client pled out to a Criminal Mischief charge, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree carrying a maximum possible penalty of 30 days incarceration and a $250.00 fine. Through negotiations Defense Counsel was able to work out a suspended sentence and a $100.00 fine.
OUTCOME:
Client charged with first offense OVI under O.R.C. 4511.19. Upon reviewing the discovery it was discovered that this was actually the clients 3 rd lifetime OVI offense. Defense counsel was still abl ... e to negotiate out a three day Driver Intervention Program in lieu of local incarceration time, a fine of $375.00 and a minimum license suspension.
OUTCOME: Case Dismissed.
Zachuary Meranda, along with Co-Counsel, Jefferson Liston, get rape charge dismissed.