Avoiding The Harsh Penalties For Weapon Offenses
Gun crimes can be charged as a stand-alone offense or as an enhancement to other felony crimes. Either way, weapons charges must be taken seriously because of the tough penalties. This is especially true in federal court, where gun possession may tack mandatory prison time on top of the sentence for the underlying offense.
The Goldberg Law Firm provides the experienced and aggressive representation to avoid the worst consequences of firearm offenses. We represent the accused in state and federal courts of Greater Cleveland and northeast Ohio.
Cuyahoga County Gun Crime Defense Attorney
During 30 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Michael J. Goldberg has handled every type of gun offense:
- Felon in possession (federal charges)
- Possessing a weapon while under disability (state charges)
- Possession of stolen or illegal weapons
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Brandishing or discharging a weapon
Each of those gun crimes can be charged as a stand-alone offense. Commonly, gun crimes are charged as enhancements on federal charges such as assault, kidnapping, burglary or robbery, drug trafficking or criminal gang activities. A gun can add years onto the end of a sentence. For instance:
- Gun possession in connection to a felony is a one-year mandatory add-on under Ohio law.
- Brandishing a weapon in commission of a felony adds a mandatory three years.
- Firing a weapon from a car adds seven years to a prison sentence.
- Under federal law, using a gun with three prior violent felonies is a mandatory 15-year enhancement.
- Under federal law, causing injury or death with a firearm adds a mandatory 25-year sentence.
Cleveland Firearm Possession Defense Attorney
Michael Goldberg is highly experienced in federal criminal defense and intimately familiar with the nuances of federal sentencing guidelines. After determining how gun charges would escalate the punishment, he attacks the case on both fronts: (1) Can the gun be separated from the underlying case or can the gun charges be refuted? (2) By identifying weakness in the underlying charges, the prosecution’s case may fall apart or the prosecutor may drop the weapon enhancement.
To arrange a free consultation, call us today at 216-592-8719 or 800-845-4710, or contact us online.