Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

felony

I would like to know if domestic violence is a felony offense. I pressed domestic violence charges against my (at the time) husband (I am also divorced from him). My ex-mother-in-law wants me to sign something to have it (the domestic violence charges) expunged from his record and I told her that I wouldn't do it. She said that my ex said that this was a felony offense, but when I look it up in the public records it indicates that it is a 4th degree misdemeanor. So, was it ever a felony offense? Or were they able to have it lessened to a 4th degree misdemeanor without my signature?


Asked on 1/13/04, 9:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Timothy Hess T. Hess & Associates, LLC

Re: felony

Depending on the circumstances, it can be either a felony or a misdemeanor. Usually if it is the defendant's first offense of DV, it will be a Misdemeanor. If the Defendant is then charged with a second DV, because it is a second offense for DV, it raises to the level of a Felony.

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Answered on 1/14/04, 11:56 am


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