Law Offices of Richard G. Wendel, II

Licensed in Ohio & Kentucky

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513-632-5317

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Criminal Law

There are few things more frightening and potentially life-altering than being arrested and charged with a criminal offense. The blue lights in the rear-view mirror, the handcuffs, the jail cell, the interrogation; All of these may seem to be a blur.

Seemingly endless questions may swirl in your head: What will my family say? I am going to lose my job? Do I really face jail time? Will my drivers' license be suspended? Is my professional license subject to suspension? Can I ever get this conviction expunged or my record sealed? What if the witnesses against me lied to the police? Will college or job applications be rejected if I have a record? Will I ever be able to get insurance again? Do I have to prove my innocence at trial? What are the differences between a jury trial and a bench trial? How can I investigate the evidence and witnesses against me? Can I get into a court diversion program? What are the differences between a felony and a misdemeanor? What about drug and alcohol treatment?

The government has the full resources of law enforcement at its disposal. You need to level the playing field.

You need an advocate to stand with you, answer your questions, and make sense of the confusion. You need a thorough, comprehensive analysis of your matter so that you have the resources to make informed decisions. Rich Wendel represents individuals in all Ohio and Kentucky criminal matters will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights and interests are properly and fully protected at every stage of the proceedings. He has the experience necessary to represent you or your loved one to obtain the very best result possible.

Drug Offenses

Any drug offense may have long-lasting effects. It is imperative that you have experienced counsel to assist you. Even a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge may involve significant collateral consequences affecting your ability to get a job or attend school.

Drug Offenses include the illegal possession of, or trafficking in, controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription medication. Other offenses include illegal manufacture of drugs, cultivation of marihuana, illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and permitting of drug abuse.

Drug offenses frequently involve the misuse of prescription medication, including deception to obtain dangerous drugs, illegal processing of drug documents, forgery, and tampering with drugs.

Significant penalties may be associated in drug offenses, and vary dramatically based on the type and quantity of the drug involved. Penalties include lengthy mandatory prison terms, large fines, treatment requirements, property forfeitures, and drivers' license suspensions.

It is imperative that you seek assistance if you or a loved-one has been charged with a drug offense, whether it is misdemeanor drug possession or felony drug trafficking. Frequently the abuse of drugs is related to addiction, and the existence of mitigating factors should be explored in evaluating a matter. Rich Wendel has years of experience in helping individuals charged with drug offenses, both through aggressively challenging the charges and in assisting with problems associated with drug addiction.

Before Charges are Brought

If you believe that you are the target of a criminal investigation you should exercise your rights and seek the advice of a reputable attorney. You will always benefit from a consultation and review of your matter before being subjected to interrogations or other law enforcement investigation or testing.

Even if you believe your potential criminal exposure is low or that criminal charges are unlikely, a thorough and confidential consultation can help guide you in this stressful and potentially life-altering situation.

Seemingly innocent actions or words may be misinterpreted and lead to misunderstandings and criminal charges. Ensure that your side of the story is properly understood and, when appropriate, communicated to law enforcement.

Your consultation with an attorney may ultimately enable counsel to negotiate a more favorable resolution of your matter with the police and prosecutors. It may lead to less serious charges being brought against you or even with an agreed resolution before a criminal complaint is even filed. More importantly, it may lead to criminal charges never being filed at all.

Call Rich Wendel today for a confidential consultation and review of your matter.

Theft Offenses

Theft offenses generally involve the knowing taking of property of another without consent. Theft and theft-related offenses include shoplifting, embezzlement, fraud, passing bad checks, misuse of credit cards, unlawful use of a vehicle, theft by deception or threat, forgery, and identity theft and fraud. Penalties vary significantly depending on the type and value of the property taken, and, potentially who the victim is. Penalties are significantly increased for crimes involving theft from the elderly or disabled adults.

Many theft cases involve the research and review of significant amounts of documentation. Expert consultants and witnesses such as forensic accountants are often utilized to analyze and bolster a defense to fraud, embezzlement or theft charges. At the Law Offices of Richard G. Wendel, II we have the necessary experience to fully evaluate your matter and provide you with advice to properly defend you.

Domestic Violence

Most law enforcement agencies have a "must arrest" policy on emergency calls involving domestic violence. In other words, someone is going to jail to let the situation calm down, and law enforcement will likely request a court to issue a temporary protection order prohibiting contact between the parties even though no conviction has occurred.

The charged individual may be excluded from the marital residence and prohibited from any and all personal or electronic communication with the family or household member, including children and others not involved in the case at all. Some courts may further require the use of electronic monitoring devices while the matter is pending. A violation of a protection order is a separate and additional criminal offense.

Domestic violence is the physical or verbal abuse that occurs among family or household members. This may include spouses, children, parents, boyfriends and girlfriends. It may involve a pattern of abusive behavior or a single, isolated incident.

Domestic violence laws are well-intentioned and designed to separate the parties and protect the peace. However, because of the strict arrest policies, the domestic violence laws are often abused by individuals "gaming" the system in order to obtain a favorable position in domestic relations or custody matters. A mere argument or disagreement may be turned into a serious charge with long-lasting consequences.

Penalties

In Ohio, most domestic violence matters are charged as misdemeanors. However, individuals with prior domestic violence convictions are subject to increasing levels of felony charges.

The collateral consequences of domestic violence convictions should also not be discounted. Convicted individuals are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms, and may be subject to discipline or discharge from their employers. Many professions including police and emergency fire may simply be unavailable to those convicted of domestic violence.

If you or a loved one has been charged with domestic violence, contact Rich Wendel at (513)632-5317 for an evaluation of the matter.

Expungement/Sealing of the Record

An offense occurring years ago may simply be embarrassing or may be a serious impediment to employment or educational opportunities. In today's electronic and information society, access to an individual's prior history and criminal record has never been greater. In Ohio, if you qualify as a "first offender," you may be eligible to have the record of your conviction sealed or "expunged."

Individuals with a misdemeanor conviction generally must wait one year from the date of discharge to file an application to seal the record, while individuals with a felony must wait three years. Some convictions may not be expunged, including OVI/DUI offenses and felonies that include a mandatory term of incarceration.

For an evaluation of your expungment matter and a determination of whether you are eligible contact the Law Offices of Richard G. Wendel, II at (513)632-5317.

Juvenile Offenses

Individuals under the age of eighteen are subject to the same laws as adults. Common charges that teens face may include traffic violations, underage drinking, marijuana possession and shoplifting. We have the experience to handle juvenile matters to ensure that the minor's rights are protected and any long-lasting effects from juvenile adjudications are lessened. We work with the juvenile and the family with advice regarding school suspensions and other discipline.

Juveniles charged with serious felony crimes face life-changing consequences. The attorney you choose may have a significant role in defending your child if the prosecution chooses to try the case in adult court after a bind-over proceding.

Sex Offenses / Internet Crimes

Whether you are under investigation for, or charged with a sex offense, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately. Perhaps no greater stigma exists than that associated with sex crime convictions. Ohio uses a sex offender classification system set forth in the Adam Walsh Act. Lengthy prison terms are the norm for such offenses, and the sex offender registry requirements may last for life. Such sex offender registry information is readily available to the public via the internet and other sources. Even misdemeanor sex offenses may lead to longlasting issues including difficulties with employment, housing, and educational institutions.

Rich Wendel has the necessary experience and has successfully represented individuals in sex offenses matter including:

  • Rape
  • Statutory Rape
  • Child pornography
  • Internet sex crimes
  • Gross Sexual Imposition
  • Sexual Imposition
  • Unlawful sexual contact with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Prostitution
  • Indecent Exposure

Violent Offenses

Lengthy prison sentences are the norm for violent felony offenses, considered to be among the most serious crimes in our society. Rich Wendel has years of experience in representing individuals in serious violent felony matters including aggravated murder, manslaughter, aggravated burglary, burglary, kidnapping, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, robbery, vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, and "gun specification" crimes. He is committed to zealously representing the rights of individuals charged with such crimes, and determined to obtain the best possible result whether through trial or negotiated resolution. Rich is certified under the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio to represent those charged in capital murder matters, having received specialized training biannually.

Traffic Offenses

Rich Wendel handles all forms of traffic offenses, from misdemeanor speeding citations and drunk driving charges to felonies such as aggravated vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. Whether your matter is charged in a local mayor's court, juvenile court, misdemeanor municipal or district court, or felony common pleas or circuit court, Rich has the experience necessary to zealously represent your interests and obtain a favorable result for you.

Rich represents clients in Ohio and Northern Kentucky courts including those in the following jurisdictions: Hamilton County, Clermont County, Warren County, Butler County, Adams County, Brown County, Highland County, Clinton County, Campbell County, Kenton County, Pendleton County, and Boone County.

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Testimonials

Rich - There aren't many occasions when I stop to write a letter about work someone has done for me. I wanted to take a minute to both congratulate and thank you for your outstanding work on my behalf. Being sued is a painful experience, but your professionalism and attention to detail made all the difference in my case. Your knowledge of the system and recommendations to me throughout the case were near perfect. I felt confident in your decisions and guidance, and appreciate the level of inclusion which you afforded me in the preparation of my case. Once the trial started, I quickly learned that there is a lot more to civil cases than simply dry testimony, dates, times and places. Your positive attitude and encouragement helped me stay focused throughout the proceedings. Your performance in the courtroom was animated and compelling. Honestly, by the time you made closing arguments on my behalf = I had NO doubt about the favorable outcome in the case. You came highly recommended as a trial attorney and exceeded all my expectations. I continue to give my highest recommendation to you when my clients are in need of legal assistance. Much continued success.