Columbus Evidence Tampering Lawyers

To be charged with tampering with evidence, you must have done either of the following, knowing that an investigation is going on or will soon:

• Alter, destroy or hide a piece of evidence (record, document, weapon, etc.) in order to interfere with the investigation
• Use false evidence to mislead the investigator or to interfere with the investigation

Tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony and is punishable by up to 36 months in prison.

If you are convicted of tampering with evidence, additional potential issues include:

• Maintaining your current employment
• Licensure issues in some professions
• Difficulty getting a good job in the future
• Difficulty and possible denial in immigration and naturalization proceedings

Simply put, if you are convicted of tampering with evidence, it can potentially be on your criminal background for the rest of your life. No matter what the circumstances were in your case, you run the risk of being considered someone who hid or destroyed evidence. Therefore, it is critical that you give your tampering with evidence charge the level of importance it deserves.

The Columbus Criminal Defense team takes an aggressive and comprehensive approach when representing clients charged with tampering with evidence. First and foremost, we will figure out what mistakes the police or detectives made during their investigation and any other legal issues that can be raised on your behalf.

We do this by requesting discovery from the prosecutor. The discovery will generally consist of police reports, additional investigative notes, witness statements and potentially video or audio. As our client, you will receive a copy of everything received from the prosecutor for your review

Based on the legal weaknesses in the State of Ohio’s case and any other mitigating factors, we will negotiate the best possible plea available with the prosecutor for you to consider in resolving your case.

If your case cannot be resolved satisfactorily with a plea, it would then proceed to a motion hearing (a hearing where the judge issues a ruling on an evidentiary issue) or a trial to the judge or jury, depending on the circumstances.

For nearly ten years, the Columbus Criminal Defense team has successfully represented clients charged with criminal offenses from minor misdemeanors to first degree felonies. That extensive previous experience will enable us to better help you.

Are you in trouble? Contact us.

If you’ve been charged with tampering with evidence, it’s important to know what you’re up against. If you have any questions left unanswered by this page, or if you need a competent, experienced criminal attorney to fight for you in court, please contact us at (614) 500-3836 or via email at advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.