Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney Gary M. Hruska

E-mail: hruska@hcmmlaw.com
Biography: Gary M. Hruska

Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney, Gary M. Hruska is the Managing Editor of the Ohio Criminal Defense Law Blog and is of counsel with the Dayton, Ohio, law firm, Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues, LPA. This site provides info about Criminal Law in Ohio, Ohio DUI, Ohio Drug Law, Ohio Porn law, Ohio Search and Seizure Law, news and case updates on Ohio Criminal Law. Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues is the publisher of this blog since 2013.

The first two examples are common things that EVERY criminal defense lawyer must do as part of providing their client a competent defense. The third example is one that will only serve to harm the client’s case. Cases are not won with “aggressiveness,” but rather through competence and skill. Truth be told, the only reason that attorneys constantly claim to be “aggressive” is because that is what clients claim they want in an advocate.

What criminal defendants should really be searching for is a thorough criminal defense attorney: one that is willing to independently investigate the case, speak to witnesses, research the law, meet with the client in jail whenever necessary, and prepare to litigate each issue that arises during the course of the representation, including suppression motions, motions to dismiss and jury trials. Saying you are an “aggressive” attorney does not mean you are any good, although far too many defense attorneys try to sell that quality above all others, including competency. A good Ohio criminal defense attorney is one that is prepared!

Picking the right Ohio criminal defense attorney is often the most important decision a person can make. So, it’s important for prospective clients to be informed as to the type of criminal lawyer I am. Above and beyond being thorough, here is a brief summary of my philosophy regarding criminal defense: Picking the right Ohio criminal defense attorney is often the most important decision a person can make. So, it’s important for prospective clients to be informed as to the type of criminal lawyer I am. Above and beyond being thorough, here is a brief summary of my philosophy regarding criminal defense:

1. It is your life and it is you that must suffer the consequences. It is not my job to pressure you into entering a plea with which you are uncomfortable, or pushing you to a trial that you feel is fruitless. I am not the one that has to live with the consequences of any particular decision – it is you and your family that have to live with the repercussions associated with being charged with a crime.

Simply put, the case is yours and I work for you. My job is to provide you with my best professional opinion regarding various options and likely results, but the ultimate decisions are always yours alone to make. I hear all too often that “I was pressured into pleading guilty.” That is simply unforgivable conduct by an attorney. Chances are good that when a defendant utters such a phrase, it is because his or her attorney was either too lazy or too scared to take the case to a jury trial.

Remember, it is your case and you get to make the ultimate decisions. If the attorney gets upset with you because you refuse to plead guilty, it is not because they will lay awake at night concerned about your welfare. Rather, odds are that it is because they may actually be forced to really do some work, or they will be exposed as someone that is afraid to try a case to a jury. It is quite possible that my advice is not what you want to do in order to resolve the case. However, my clients are never berated because their decision differs from what I would do under the same circumstances. I am not the one that has to live with the consequences of a felony conviction, and I respect my client’s decision as to how they want the matter resolved.

2. An informed client is the best client. I do my absolute best to quickly convey any meaningful updates to the client. Furthermore, I will not sugarcoat the situation if the news is not good. A client cannot make informed decisions unless they have all of the necessary information, whether the information is helpful or harmful to the client’s position.

3. I will not make promises regarding outcomes. No attorney can accurately predict what a jury (or judge) is going to do in a particular case. Anyone that has tried cases will attest to the fact that they have been surprised (good and bad) with a jury verdict. If a client wants a promise as to an outcome, the client should continue to look for an attorney that is naïve enough to give them the false hope they are looking for.

This is not to say that I will not draw on my experience to give you a prediction; I fully understand that the client is leaning on my expertise in making decisions. After all, that is what I have been hired to do. However, I will never say, “if you hire me, I guarantee this case will be dismissed,” or “I promise you will receive probation.” That is simply unfair to the client.

I hear all the time from clients that a previous lawyer “promised me a certain outcome and all he did was take my money and later tell me the promised result is not an option anymore.” It is not only inappropriate, but borderline unethical, for a defense attorney to promise a certain result for a client.

Hire the right Ohio Criminal Defense Attorney That Wlll Defend You At Every Critical Stage

The only promise I will make is that I will do whatever is necessary to defend you at each critical stage of the proceedings. I will further promise you that I will be fully prepared for each and every court appearance. Please use the form below to contact me about your case.