Domestic Violence Lawyer in Cleveland

Facing a Domestic Violence Charge? Call Our Cleveland Firm 24/7.

An arrest or allegation can immediately affect your freedom, home, and contact with family. Don’t discuss the incident with police, the accuser, family members, or others before receiving legal advice. Texts, calls, social media posts, and messages sent through another person may become evidence.

Mastandrea Law, LLC represents people facing domestic violence charges in Cleveland and courts throughout Northeast Ohio. Our criminal defense practice is led by former public defender Rod Mastandrea. We have handled domestic violence matters since opening in 2009, and we’re available 24/7, including nights and weekends.

Common issues people face after a domestic violence arrest include:

• Sudden loss of freedom due to being taken into custody, having to post bond, or being held until a first appearance in a local court.
• Immediate family disruption when a temporary protection order requires you to leave your home or limits contact with your spouse, partner, or children.
• Restrictions on daily life such as staying away from certain locations, avoiding firearms, or following strict no-contact rules while your case is pending.
• Employment and housing concerns that may arise before the criminal case has been resolved.

Reach out to our Cleveland domestic violence lawyers by calling (216) 306-5105 or by contacting us online.

Ohio Domestic Violence Charges & Protection Orders

Ohio Revised Code Section 2919.25 applies to specified conduct involving a family or household member. It covers knowingly causing or attempting to cause physical harm, recklessly causing serious physical harm, and using a threat of force to cause someone to believe imminent physical harm will occur. A charge may therefore arise from alleged physical contact or a threat, even when no injury is reported.

Domestic violence charges can be misdemeanors or felonies based on the alleged conduct, prior qualifying convictions, and other statutory factors. Under the current statute, a first physical-harm offense is generally a first-degree misdemeanor, while a qualifying threat offense is generally a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Prior convictions and specified circumstances can increase the classification, but the applicable charge and potential penalties depend on the individual case.

Criminal & Civil Protection Orders

A temporary protection order may be requested as a condition of release in a qualifying criminal case. These orders can restrict direct, indirect, electronic, or third-party contact and may affect access to a residence, children, or firearms. The restrictions must be followed exactly as written because an alleged violation can lead to an additional criminal charge.

A civil protection order is handled separately from the criminal prosecution and may remain in effect for a period set by the court. It can address contact, residence, family access, and other conduct. The state controls the criminal prosecution after charges are filed, so an accuser can’t personally dismiss the charge.

Consequences Beyond the Criminal Case

If your case is in Cleveland Municipal Court or another Cuyahoga County court, conditions set at an early hearing can affect where you live, when you can contact family members, and whether you can return to certain locations while the case is pending. Separate family-law proceedings may also be affected, including matters before Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court.

Potential long-term consequences of a conviction include:

• Employment challenges if a background check reveals a violent offense.
• Housing difficulties when a landlord considers a domestic violence record.
• Custody or visitation complications if the conviction is raised in a family-law proceeding.
• Firearm restrictions under applicable law.

After an arrest or allegation, contact us promptly to discuss bond conditions, protection-order terms, upcoming court dates, and evidence that should be preserved.

Evidence-Focused Domestic Violence Defense in Cleveland

At Mastandrea Law, LLC, a Cleveland-based criminal defense firm, we examine what happened before, during, and after the alleged incident. Our review can include police reports, witness statements, 911 recordings, body-camera footage, photographs, text messages, emails, call logs, and social media posts when available.

We look for inconsistent accounts, missing context, self-defense issues, unreliable evidence, and failures to follow required procedures. We also evaluate whether the available evidence supports each element the prosecution must prove. No single defense applies to every case, so we build the strategy around the facts, the client’s priorities, and the evidence.

Local Experience & Direct Attorney Access

Rod Mastandrea has more than 14 years of experience and previously worked as a Cuyahoga County public defender staff attorney. He prepares clients for proceedings in Cleveland Municipal Court and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and represents people from Cleveland Heights and elsewhere in Northeast Ohio.

Our firm reports more than 25 years of combined experience and more than 5,000 local clients helped. Past performance doesn’t determine the result of a future case, but this record reflects the depth of our criminal defense work. Rod Mastandrea also received the Avvo Clients’ Choice award in criminal defense in 2015 and was selected for the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in 2019.

We limit the number of cases we accept so each client receives dedicated attention. Clients receive direct access to their attorney’s cell number, prompt follow-ups, and a clear explanation of their options and the steps ahead.

What to Do After a Domestic Violence Arrest

Preserve texts, emails, call logs, social media posts, photographs, and other material that may provide context for the relationship or the events before and after the incident. If there were neighbors, relatives, or other witnesses present, record their names and contact information so they can be reached later.

We can review this material to evaluate whether self-defense, conflicting accounts, mistaken identity, or another issue may apply. We can also prepare you for a first appearance, arraignment, or later hearing in Cleveland Municipal Court or another Cuyahoga County court. Felony cases may proceed through a different court process than misdemeanor cases, so advice should be based on the filed charge and court documents.

Until you’ve received legal advice:

• Follow every court order, including restrictions on direct, indirect, electronic, and third-party contact.
• Preserve relevant evidence without deleting, editing, or posting it publicly.
• Record witness information without asking anyone to coordinate or change an account.
• Avoid discussing the incident with police, the accuser, family members, coworkers, or social media contacts.

Request a Free Domestic Violence Consultation

A free consultation can give you clarity about the charge, immediate restrictions, upcoming hearings, potential defenses, and realistic next steps.

You can contact us by phone, email, or chat. Phone and virtual consultations are available, and clients receive direct access to their attorney’s cell number after hiring our firm.

Call (216) 306-5105 for your free consultation. We’re available by phone 24/7, including nights and weekends. Jail visits are available by request.