Columbus Carrying a Concealed Weapon Lawyer

Were you recently charged with unlawfully carrying a concealed gun in Columbus, OH?

Stand up and fight – make it hard for the prosecution to convict you and send you to prison. You can do that by reaching out to a skilled Columbus carrying a concealed weapon attorney from James D. Owen, LLC.

Why James D. Owen, LLC Should Be Your First Call After a Weapons-Related Arrest in Columbus

The consequences of a weapons-related criminal conviction can be devastating. Fortunately, you have the right to defend yourself. Hiring an attorney can make a huge difference in how your case unfolds.

At James D. Owen, LLC, our experienced Columbus criminal defense attorneys have decades defending clients against charges just like yours. We’re ready to put our experience and knowledge to work for you.

If you hire us to defend you against your weapons charge, we will:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest
• Help you secure a reasonable bond
• Protect your constitutional rights
• Walk you through your legal options
• Devise an effective defense strategy on your behalf
• Search for exculpatory evidence
• Provide you with astute legal advice and guidance
• Hammer out a plea bargain with the prosecution
• Argue your case in court, if necessary

Do you want to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer from James D. Owen, LLC, help you fight back against your gun charge? If so, please do not hesitate to give us a call and schedule a free initial consultation at our law office in Columbus, Ohio. Our law firm knows how to handle cases like these, and is ready to go to battle for you.

Understanding Ohio’s Concealed Carry Laws

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of every American to keep and bear arms. However, these rights are not unlimited. The state of Ohio has a range of laws on its books that regulate how and where its citizens can carry their guns.

Commonly charged concealed carry offenses in the Buckeye State include:

Illegally Carrying Concealed Weapons

Section 2923.12 of the Ohio Revised Code explains that it is unlawful for an individual who does not have a concealed handgun license to conceal on their person any of the following:

• A handgun
• A deadly weapon
• Any other dangerous ordnance

When police officers catch someone violating this statute, they can charge them with illegally carrying concealed weapons.

The state of Ohio almost always classifies this criminal offense as a misdemeanor of the first degree. However, prosecutors may choose to upgrade it to a fourth-degree felony if the weapon is loaded.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Prohibited Location

Section 2923.126 of the Ohio Revised Code states that it is unlawful for gun owners to bring their firearm into any of the following places – even if they have a concealed carry permit:

• A police station, sheriff’s office, or highway patrol station
• A school safety zone
• A state or federal courthouse
• A bar
• A college or university
• A church, synagogue, mosque, or any other place of worship
• A government facility
• A place where federal law prohibits the carrying of guns

Should law enforcement officers find someone violating this statute, they may take them into custody and charge them with breaking the terms of their license.

Ohio usually classifies violations of this law as misdemeanors of the first or fourth degree – depending on the circumstances surrounding the infraction.

Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

Section 2923.16 of the Ohio Revised Code explains that it is unlawful for a person with a license to carry concealed weapons to do any of the following things during a traffic stop:

• Fail to notify the officer that they have a concealed carry permit and that they have a weapon in the vehicle
• Knowingly fail to remain in the vehicle throughout the stop
• Knowingly fail to keep their hands in plain sight throughout the stop
• Knowingly have contact with a loaded weapon during the stop
• Knowingly fail to comply with a direct order from the police officer

When Ohioans violate this statute, law enforcement can arrest them and charge them with improperly handling firearms in a vehicle.

The Buckeye State typically classifies this offense as a felony of the fifth degree or a misdemeanor of the first degree.

The seasoned criminal defense lawyers at James D. Owen, LLC, have a comprehensive understanding of Ohio’s many weapons laws. So, if law enforcement officers in Columbus recently charged you with one of the crimes outlined above, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We offer free consultations.

Consequences of Concealed Carry Convictions in Ohio

When the Buckeye State convicts its residents of offenses involving deadly weapons, it usually sends them to jail or prison and doles out a hefty fine. The specific nature of their punishment depends on the seriousness of their criminal offense:

• Felonies of the Fourth Degree: A fine of up to $5,000 and as long as 18 months in prison.
• Felonies of the Fifth Degree: A fine of up to $2,500 and as long as 12 months in prison.
• Misdemeanors of the First Degree: A fine of up to $1,000 and as long as 180 days in county jail.
• Misdemeanors of the Second Degree: A fine of up to $750 and as long as 90 days in county jail.
• Misdemeanors of the Third Degree: A fine of up to $500 and as long as 60 days in county jail.
• Misdemeanors of the Fourth Degree: A fine of up to $250 and as long as 30 days in county jail.

Of course, fines and imprisonment are not the only consequences an individual can face when the state convicts them of illegally carrying a concealed weapon. They will also get a permanent criminal record.

Collateral Consequences of Criminal Conviction in Ohio

As a result of a criminal record, they are all but certain to face a variety of collateral consequences, such as:

• Difficulty Finding Housing: Ohio landlords often refuse to rent properties to convicted criminals.
• Trouble Landing a Job: Many Columbus companies have strict policies against hiring people with criminal records.
• Professional Licensing Issues: Professional licensing boards frequently revoke the memberships of convicted felons.
• Difficulty Obtaining Student Loans: The federal government does not typically issue student loans to convicted felons.
• Immigration Issues: ICE and other federal agencies regularly deport non-citizen felons after they get out of prison.
• Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: Felons do not have the right to buy, use, or carry firearms in the state of Ohio.

Offenders must typically ensure these consequences for the rest of their lives – unless they can get their record sealed.

Do you need a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to help you fight to avoid the negative consequences of a gun crime conviction? Then please get in touch with James D. Owen, LLC, today. Our team has been handling cases like yours for years and would be happy to assist you in any way we can.

Defenses Against Concealed Carry Charges in the State of Ohio

When Ohio residents get arrested for illegally carrying a concealed weapon, they often believe that it is just a matter of time before the state sends them to jail or prison. In reality, however, with the aid of an effective defense strategy, they can frequently get their charges dismissed or reduced.

A brief list of some of the most often used defenses against crimes like these would include:

Constitutional Rights Violation

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution grants the residents of Columbus the right to avoid unreasonable searches and seizures. If an attorney can prove that law enforcement officers only discovered their client’s firearm because of an unlawful search, they can often get their charge dismissed or reduced.

Valid Permit

Unfortunately, it is not at all unusual for police officers in the state of Ohio to charge people with unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon without checking to see if they have a valid permit. When attorneys present their client’s license to the court, they can typically get their case dismissed in a matter of minutes.

Coercion

If a defense lawyer can prove that a law enforcement officer forced their client to break the law, they can almost always get their charge thrown out. To use this strategy, however, the attorney must have a lot of evidence against the officer in question.

At James D. Owen, LLC, we have been helping Ohio residents devise effective defense strategies for years. As such, we know which ones work and which ones do not. If you would like to have us defend you against your carrying a concealed weapon charge, all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.

Your Skilled Carrying a Concealed Weapon Attorney in Columbus

When the residents of Columbus need an attorney to help them fight back against their weapons charges, they know they can always rely on the team at James D. Owen, LLC. We have been working on these types of cases for years – securing countless favorable outcomes for our clients along the way. Reach out to us today if you would like to have us stand up for you.