Law Office of James D. Owen, LLC

When you left home, you never thought you might be arrested for drug possession. However, that is just what happened. You and your friends were enjoying the evening when you were stopped and searched by police officers. The next thing you heard was, “You have the right to remain silent.” Panic sets in, and you do not know what to do next. The steps you take next can have a significant impact on the outcome of your criminal case. Whether you are innocent or guilty, you need to treat drug charges very seriously. You could be sentenced to a lengthy jail sentence and required to pay a large fine upon…

If you are charged in Columbus with possession of drugs that belonged to a friend or someone else in your car or home, then you should promptly contact an experienced Columbus criminal attorney to represent you. In Central Ohio it is common for a person to be charged with possession of drugs that actually belonged to someone else.  This can occur, for example, if a police officer pulls over a car for a routine traffic stop and observes drugs in the automobile.  If there are several people in the car, and no one admits to ownership of the drugs, then the officer may arrest all of the persons in the car,…

In Columbus, when can a person receive treatment through Ohio’s intervention in lieu of conviction statute? Ohio’s intervention in lieu of conviction statute (R.C. 2951.041) allows a person to apply for treatment instead of prosecution when their criminal behavior was triggered by alcohol or drug use, mental health issues, or intellectual disabilities.  Under this statute, a person charged with certain crimes can request the Court to defer prosecution, stay all criminal proceedings, and establish a treatment plan for the offender.  If the Court grants the motion and the offender successfully completes the treatment plan, then the prosecution ends, and the Court dismisses the underlying criminal case. Effective September 30, 2011,…

In Ohio, a person is prohibited from knowingly obtaining, possessing, or using a controlled substance.  A controlled substance includes marijuana.  Our Columbus criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended numerous cases where our clients have been charged with the possession of marijuana, and have obtained dismissals and not guilty verdicts in many of those cases.  However, most people charged with possession of marijuana initially want to know what penalties they are potentially facing in the event of a conviction. Jail Time and Fines In Ohio, possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $150.00, plus court costs.  No jail time can…