Serving Ottawa County and beyond
Domestic Violence Lawyer Ottawa County
Domestic violence convictions can lead to serious, lasting penalties. Just being charged with domestic violence can negatively impact your reputation, relationships, and career. Due to the complex nature of these cases, you need a domestic violence lawyer with the experience, skills, and tenacity to provide the powerful defense you deserve.
At Patituce & Associates, we create customized defense strategies for individuals facing domestic violence charges. We understand all that is at stake and will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected and your side of the story is told.
With so much at stake, you must act fast. Call (440) 771-1175 to speak to a domestic violence attorney about your case.
Ottawa County Domestic Violence Call for More Information Today!440-771-1175
Throughout difficult times, Joe was a steady, reliable presence.
Macy Zachary
D"Hiring Joe and His Team Was Great"
The entire process was stressful, I made mistakes, but hiring Joe and his team was great.
Derrick Clark
A"Nothing but positivity"
Nothing but positivity with Patituce and Associates.
Andrew Weingart
R"Great Lawyer and a Fantastic Person"
Really approachable and always looking at his clients as human beings.
Reinaldo Garcia
B"These lawyers are the ones for you!"
They listened and understood my every need as a client.
Bri Jackson
k"Outstanding legal advice and service"
I have recommended this firm to people for years and will continue to do so because of the outstanding legal advice and customer service.
karlyn hawkins
k"My Go-To for Legal Advice"
Mr. Patituce has always been prompt to respond, professional, and detailed.
karlyn hawkins
G"Highly Recommend Catherine Meehan"
She worked diligently to achieve a much better outcome than he expected and advocated for him every step of the way.
Galina Rakhmistrovskaya
C"Among the Top Attorneys in the State"
They consistently demonstrate honesty, professionalism, and a strong work ethic in everything they do.
Craig Thomas
S"I Had a Great Experience"
His attention to detail and commitment to resolving my issue was impressive.
S R
A"Intake Process Was Surprisingly Smooth"
During our session, the attorney pinpointed a specific detail in my case that others had completely overlooked!
Andrew Swisher
M"Excellent Service and Results"
Joseph Patituce delivered excellent service, completing the job quickly and efficiently.
Matthew Smeltz
A"Professional and Accommodating"
Joe was professional and accommodating to me.
Arnold Bair
R"We Are Very Grateful to This Law Firm"
They both were very caring and knowledgeable and professional.
Rhonda James
M"Outstanding Representation"
They treated me with respect, took my situation seriously, and gave me confidence when I needed it most.
Matthew Kleinschmidt
E"Steady, Reliable, and Gets the Job Done"
If you want a criminal defense team that’s steady, reliable, and gets the job done, they’re a solid choice.
Emily Pentecost
A"They Know the Law and Handle Things the Right Way"
If you want a defense team that takes the job seriously, they’re a solid choice.
Ash Elder
k"Consistent, High-Quality Representation"
This law firm delivers consistent, high-quality representation in criminal defense matters.
karlyn hawkins
s"My son is out of prison"
Let me assure you if it was not for Joe Patituce and Associates my son would still be locked up.
scar lette
"I'm Eternally Grateful"
I'm eternally grateful to Patituce & Associates for their dedication and competency.
C"I'm Eternally Grateful to Patituce & Associates"
I highly recommend this firm for all your legal matters.
Chris Kilonzo
I felt completely supported throughout the procedure.
When family problems escalated into legal matters, I turned to them. Their team was professional, attentive, and always kept me updated. They handled the complexities of my case with ease, and the result was positive. I felt completely supported throughout the procedure.
Carmelita Hosler
An excellent experience from start to finish
Working with Patituce & Associates was an excellent experience from start to finish. Their attorneys were knowledgeable, attentive, and always available to answer my questions. They handled my case with professionalism and confidence, which gave me peace of mind throughout the process. I’m very thankful for their support and highly recommend their services.
Ajmal Kashi
I Can’t Recommend Karra Salim Enough
I can’t recommend Karra Salim enough. She was professional, knowledgeable, and always quick to respond whenever I had questions or concerns. She guided me through my OVI case with confidence and made sure I understood every step of the process. Thanks to her hard work and experience, my case was ultimately pled down to physical control, which made a huge difference for my future. I truly felt supported and represented the entire time. If you’re looking for an attorney who genuinely cares and knows what she’s doing, I highly recommend her.
Theresa Hayes
Highly Professional and Dedicated
Patituce & Associates are highly professional, efficient, and truly dedicated to their clients. They worked hard every step of the way to achieve the best possible outcome for me, and their commitment and communication gave me confidence throughout the process. If I ever need legal representation again, I would not hesitate to hire them. I highly recommend Patituce & Associates to anyone looking for a law firm that genuinely fights for its clients.
Tonya Smith
Professional Service and Quality Workmanship
Patituce & Associates delivered professional service, quality workmanship, and completed our project on time with excellent communication throughout.
Joe Fordham
I Couldn't Have Asked for a Better Experience
I’m really grateful I chose Patituce & Associates. From the beginning, they made me feel comfortable and supported during a very stressful situation. Catherine Meehan was kind, professional, and always took the time to answer my questions and keep me informed. Having someone truly care and guide me through the process made a huge difference. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and would absolutely recommend them.
Boris Sidorov
Efficient and Well-Organized Intake
The intake process was efficient and well-organized, with no unnecessary paperwork or delays. During our consultation, the attorney identified an important detail in my case that had previously been overlooked by others. Their attention to detail and professionalism gave me confidence that my case was in capable hands.
Alfred Williams
10/10 Experience
If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, professional, and truly makes you feel supported through the process, I highly recommend Karra Salim. Legal situations can feel overwhelming, but she explained everything clearly, kept me informed, and helped make a stressful situation feel much more manageable.
Thanks to her experience and guidance, my charges were reduced, and I walked away feeling relieved and grateful. She was compassionate, confident, and fought for the best possible outcome while still being realistic and honest throughout the process.
10/10 experience — smart, approachable, and someone you definitely want in your corner when life gets complicated.
Theresa Hayes
I Cannot Recommend Patituce & Associates Enough
I cannot recommend Patituce & Associates enough. Throughout difficult times, Joe was a steady, reliable presence. He is incredibly responsive, realistic, professional, and understanding.
Macy Zachary
I cannot recommend Patituce & Associates enough
I cannot recommend Patituce & Associates enough. Throughout difficult times, Joe was a steady, reliable presence. He is incredibly responsive, realistic, professional, and understanding.
Macy Zachary
Hiring Joe and His Team Was Great
The entire process was stressful. I made mistakes, but hiring Joe and his team was great. Catherine was really patient with me.
Derrick Clark
Nothing but positivity
Nothing but positivity with Patituce and Associates. If you’re in a jam, I fully recommend these guys. Their team will take care of you.
Andrew Weingart
Great Lawyer and a Fantastic Person
Great lawyer and a fantastic person. Really approachable and always looking at his clients as human beings. Extremely recommended without any reservations.
Reinaldo Garcia
These lawyers are the ones for you!
If you want an attorney that's going to listen to you and show true compassion for the job, these lawyers are the ones for you! I have never had a lawyer fight so hard not just for my money but for me as a person; they listened and understood my every need as a client, and I can't thank them enough.
Bri Jackson
Outstanding legal advice and service
Joe is always quick to respond, helpful with honest and detailed work. I have recommended this firm to people for years and will continue to do so because of the outstanding legal advice and customer service.
karlyn hawkins
My Go-To for Legal Advice
For years, Joe has been my go-to for legal advice. Mr. Patituce has always been prompt to respond, professional, and detailed. I will continue to confidently recommend this firm as my top choice.
karlyn hawkins
Highly Recommend Catherine Meehan
My friend had a very positive experience working with Catherine Meehan. She was knowledgeable and guided him through a very difficult legal situation with clarity and professionalism. She worked diligently to achieve a much better outcome than he expected and advocated for him every step of the way. We are very grateful for her support and would highly recommend Catherine to anyone in need of strong legal representation.
Galina Rakhmistrovskaya
Among the Top Attorneys in the State
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Joe Patituce, Catherine Meehan, and Megan Patituce, and I can confidently say they are among the top attorneys in the state. They consistently demonstrate honesty, professionalism, and a strong work ethic in everything they do. What really stands out is their integrity and the genuine care they show toward their clients. It’s clear they take pride in their work and are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for reliable and dedicated legal representation.
Craig Thomas
I Had a Great Experience
I had a great experience with Mr. Patituce, and strongly recommend his services. He was very professional, responsive, and knowledgeable. And what was comforting is that he listened to my concerns and was empathetic. He explained what he would do, and answered all my questions. During the process he kept me fully informed, and was reassuring which dramatically reduced my stress. His attention to detail and commitment to resolving my issue was impressive. I felt very confident in working with him and would certainly work with him again if needed. He is an attorney's attorney. I would highly recommend him for your legal issues.
S R
Intake Process Was Surprisingly Smooth
The initial intake process was surprisingly smooth. No endless piles of redundant paperwork. During our session, the attorney pinpointed a specific detail in my case that others had completely overlooked!
Andrew Swisher
Excellent Service and Results
Joseph Patituce delivered excellent service, completing the job quickly and efficiently while ensuring I received results that were right for me.
Matthew Smeltz
Professional and Accommodating
I hired this law firm after having a bad experience with others. Joe was professional and accommodating to me.
Arnold Bair
We Are Very Grateful to This Law Firm
I hired Patituce & Associates for a family member recently. There was one charge of a felony 3, which may have had consequences of up to three years' incarceration. The end result was the felony was reduced, and my family member was able to receive several years' probation and a program, but this allowed him to keep his freedom and be with his family. We are very grateful to this law firm. They worked hard, and Catherine Meehan and Aaron Schwartz were the attorneys that worked on the case. They both were very caring and knowledgeable and professional. Thank you, Patituce & Associates, for being there for us and getting us through this! I definitely believe in them and do recommend them!
Rhonda James
Outstanding Representation
Patituce & Associates provided outstanding representation during one of the most stressful times of my life. From the beginning, their office was professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and clear about every step of the process. They treated me with respect, took my situation seriously, and gave me confidence when I needed it most.
What stood out to me most was their attention to detail, their communication, and the way they fought for the best possible outcome. I always felt like I had a team in my corner that truly knew what they were doing. They helped guide me through a difficult legal situation with skill, professionalism, and genuine understanding.
I also really appreciated their willingness to work with me when I had a payment issue. That level of flexibility and compassion meant a lot during an already difficult time, and it showed that they truly care about their clients, not just the case itself. I highly recommend Patituce & Associates to anyone in need of strong, reliable legal representation.
Matthew Kleinschmidt
Steady, Reliable, and Gets the Job Done
This law firm gets straight to work and handles business. They know the law, stay organized, and keep things clear without a lot of fluff. You can tell they prepare thoroughly and take defending their clients seriously. If you want a criminal defense team that’s steady, reliable, and gets the job done, they’re a solid choice. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emily Pentecost
They Know the Law and Handle Things the Right Way
This team shows up. They know the law and handle things the right way. If you want a defense team that takes the job seriously, they’re a solid choice. Highly recommend Joe and team.
Ash Elder
Consistent, High-Quality Representation
This law firm delivers consistent, high-quality representation in criminal defense matters. Their work reflects a deep understanding of legal procedures, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to thorough case preparation. I especially appreciate the prompt and clear communication.
The attorneys are well-prepared, ensuring that you remain informed without unnecessary confusion or delays. Their strategic approach is practical and results-driven, balancing legal knowledge with sound judgment.
Overall, this firm provides dependable, effective, and knowledgeable legal services, making them a reliable choice for anyone seeking strong criminal defense representation.
karlyn hawkins
My son is out of prison
We hired Joe Patituce to represent a family member on several serious charges. We had met with several attorneys and I always started with, "We are looking for someone that is totally invested in this case." We found that person in Joe. He was always honest with us and we knew it was a hard hill to climb. Even though Joe fought tooth and nail, the outcome was not in my son's favor. We expected the outcome since the judge allowed things that he admitted behind closed doors he would lose on appeal. While in prison with a sentence 10 to life, Joe never lost his passion and he filed an appeal and WON big time. My son is out of prison and he has the chance to have a full life. Let me assure you if it was not for Joe Patituce and Associates my son would still be locked up. We are so grateful to Joe for being honest, dedicated, knowledgeable, and staying invested in the case.
scar lette
I'm Eternally Grateful
I'm eternally grateful to Patituce & Associates for their dedication and competency. This is a very reputable law firm and I'm very pleased with their services. The staff at Patituce & Associates and my attorney were always available to assist me regarding my case or any other issue I had. Special thanks to Attorney Perdum, Brianna & Suzanne for all that you do and continue to do for me, as well as Attorney Joe Patituce for making special accommodations to my situation. I highly recommend this firm for all your legal matters.
I'm Eternally Grateful to Patituce & Associates
I'm eternally grateful to Patituce & Associates for their dedication and competency. This is a very reputable law firm, and I'm very pleased with their services. The staff at Patituce & Associates and my attorney were always available to assist me regarding my case or any other issue I had. Special thanks to Attorney Perdum, Brianna & Suzanne for all that you do and continue to do for me, as well as Attorney Joe Patituce for making special accommodations to my situation. I highly recommend this firm for all your legal matters.
Client was owner of a head shop. Allegedly sold controlled substance analogues.
FEDERAL ANALOGUE DRUG CHARGES
Unindicted
Client was a manager at a smoke shop in Cleveland, he traveled across country purchasing synthetic drugs for owner.
DUI/OVI
Case DismissedBAY VILLAGE V. CRIDER
Client was accused of operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
OVI
Prosecutor Dismissed the OVI ChargesBAY VILLAGE V. KELLER
Client charged with driving while impaired. Breath test of over .11. Test was conducted on Intoxilyzer 8000.
DUI/OVI
Evidence Suppressed State Lost the AppealCITY OF CLEVELAND V. OLES
Client was stopped for what a trooper described as being an illegal lane change.
OVI-APPEAL
Evidence SuppressedCITY OF CLEVELAND V. OLES
After our victory in the trial court the City of Cleveland appealed this case to the 8 th District Court of Appeals.
FEDERAL ANALOGUE DRUG CHARGES
Unindicted
Client was owner of a head shop. Allegedly sold controlled substance analogues.
FEDERAL ANALOGUE DRUG CHARGES
Unindicted
Client was a manager at a smoke shop in Cleveland, he traveled across country purchasing synthetic drugs for owner.
DUI/OVI
Case DismissedBAY VILLAGE V. CRIDER
Client was accused of operating a motor vehicle while impaired. We identified several problems with the prosecutor’s case. We asked that a magistrate suppress evidence but that request was refused, we then appealed the matter to the presiding judge who did agree with us and ultimately suppressed all relevant evidence.
OVI
Prosecutor Dismissed the OVI ChargesBAY VILLAGE V. KELLER
Client charged with driving while impaired. Breath test of over .11. Test was conducted on Intoxilyzer 8000.
DUI/OVI
Evidence Suppressed State Lost the AppealCITY OF CLEVELAND V. OLES
Client was stopped for what a trooper described as being an illegal lane change. The trooper, in our opinion, employed improper investigative techniques that we argued violated our client’s rights. Trial court agreed.
OVI-APPEAL
Evidence SuppressedCITY OF CLEVELAND V. OLES
After our victory in the trial court the City of Cleveland appealed this case to the 8 th District Court of Appeals. After extensive briefing of the case and a formal oral argument in front of a panel of three judges, the 8 th District Court of Appeals ruled that the trial court correctly suppressed the evidence we had requested.
Why Choose Patituce & Associates
At Patituce & Associates, LLC, we bring over 70 years of combined experience to defending clients across Ohio. As former prosecutors, we know how the other side builds a case, allowing us to craft strategic, personalized defenses. We stay by your side at every stage, clearly explaining your options and fighting to protect your future.
Why Choose Us:
Former prosecutors with deep insight into how cases are built
Over 70 years of combined criminal defense experience
Hundreds of cases successfully taken to trial
Personalized, evidence-driven defense strategies
Direct access to your attorney and regular case updates
Free consultations and flexible in-person or virtual meetings
24/7 Immediate Criminal Defense Help
Day or night, we move fast to protect your rights and your future.
Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialist
Led by one of Ohio’s few board-certified criminal trial lawyers.
Proven Defense, 20,000+ Cases Handled
70+ years’ experience, 400+ trials, and a 95% trial success rate.
Former Prosecutors Fighting For You
Insider knowledge from ex-prosecutors used to attack the state’s case.
Meet the Patituce & Associates Team
At Patituce & Associates, LLC, we bring together a seasoned team of criminal defense attorneys with more than 70 years of combined experience serving clients across Cleveland and throughout Ohio. Led by former prosecutors, we use our insight into how cases are built to craft strategic, personalized defenses for charges ranging from DUI and drug crimes to serious federal and juvenile offenses. We stay directly accessible to our clients, providing clear updates and our personal cell numbers so you always know where your case stands. From your free initial consultation to trial and possible post-conviction relief, we stand by you and your family at every stage of the process. Our team is driven by one goal: to protect your rights, your future, and your peace of mind with tenacious advocacy and proven courtroom experience.
Only the prosecutor has the authority to drop domestic violence charges, even if the alleged victim requests it. The decision to drop charges often depends on the evidence and circumstances of the case.
What happens after a domestic violence arrest?
After an arrest for alleged domestic violence, the accused may be detained until a court appearance. At that appearance, a judge will determine the conditions for release. The accused may face an order of protection and restrictions on contact with the alleged victim.
Is domestic violence a felony or misdemeanor?
Domestic violence can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances, such as the seriousness of the injuries, the use of a weapon, or prior offenses. The classification affects the severity of the penalties.
What should I do if falsely accused of domestic violence?
Seek legal counsel immediately to discuss your situation and gather evidence to support your defense. Avoid any contact with the accuser that could be interpreted as harassment or intimidation.
Joseph C. Patituce Former Prosecutor, Managing Partner
Megan M. Patituce Former Prosecutor, Partner
Aaron A. Schwartz Senior Associate
Karra Salim Associate Attorney, Former Prosecutor
Suzanne McCort Office Manager
Michelle Witchey Paralegal
Brianna Taylor Legal Assistant
Alexis Rodriguez Legal Assistant