Joseph C. Patituce
Founder of Patituce & Associates
About Joseph C. Patituce
Joseph Patituce is one of Ohio’s most formidable criminal defense attorneys. He is a nationally recognized trial lawyer, former prosecutor, and one of only eight board-certified criminal trial specialists in the state.
As the founder and managing partner of Patituce & Associates, he has built a reputation for taking on the cases others consider “unwinnable” and delivering results when the stakes are highest.
A Former Prosecutor with Insider Knowledge
Before dedicating his practice to criminal defense, Joe worked as a prosecutor in Cuyahoga County. He knows exactly how the state builds its cases and where critical weaknesses often lie. This insider knowledge gives his clients a powerful, real-world advantage the moment their case begins.
Under his leadership, Patituce & Associates has grown into a powerhouse team that includes multiple former felony prosecutors and public defenders. Together, they provide clients with a depth of prosecutorial insight and defensive strategy that few firms can match.
Trial-Tested Defense Across State & Federal Courts
Joseph has handled more than 20,000 criminal cases over the last two decades and has taken over 400 cases to trial—achieving a near-perfect success rate of 95%.
Joseph's board certification in criminal trial law, a credential held by only seven other attorneys in Ohio, demonstrates mastery of trial advocacy at the highest level. Whether your case involves a high-stakes felony or a complex federal charge, Joe has the experience to fight for you.
Joe’s licensure spans far beyond Ohio. He is admitted to practice in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Kentucky, as well as numerous federal courts across the U.S., including:
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Federal Court – Northern District of Ohio
- United States Federal Court – Southern District of Ohio
- United States Federal Court – Western District of Wisconsin
- United States Federal Court – 6th Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Federal Court – 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Tax Court
This broad jurisdictional reach allows him to handle everything from state crimes to complex federal investigations, multi-state prosecutions, and sophisticated white-collar matters.
Recognized Leader, Educator & Authority in Criminal Law
A graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Joseph Patituce has distinguished himself not only in practice but also as an educator. He routinely lectures and leads panel discussions for legal conferences and seminars, training other attorneys in advanced strategies for criminal defense.
Joe isn’t just practicing criminal law—he is a recognized authority in the field.
His accomplishments include:
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, a distinction reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys.
- “Superb” rating on Avvo, based on peer reviews and professional achievements.
- Board Certification in Criminal Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy—an elite credential held by only a handful of lawyers in the state.
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC) member, an invitation-only organization recognizing the top 1% of attorneys in the United States.
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) member, a national organization dedicated to advancing DUI defense through specialized training and education.
- Best Law Firms by U.S. News, recognizing Patituce & Associates as one of the “Best Law Firms” in 2019 for a high level of professional excellence.
- Top 10 Cleveland Criminal Law Attorney by TrustAnalytica, based on client satisfaction and professional performance.
- BBB accreditation and A+ rating for the last 10 years, reflecting his firm's long-standing commitment to ethics, professionalism, and client service.
“Joe helped my brother beat a serious RICO charge. He is simply the best criminal defense lawyer out there, and provides a clear-cut path to victory. I am extremely impressed and thankful for the hard work and dedication the team at Patituce & Associates put in on this case. It feels great to come out on the winning side, and not have to sweat a thing during the whole process.”
- Levi G.
Proven Results in Complex & High-Profile Cases
Attorney Patituce has secured exceptional results in some of the most complex and high-profile criminal cases in Ohio. Notable victories include:
- Triple-Murder Acquittal (State v. Tevin Biles-Thomas): Obtained an extraordinarily rare Rule 29 acquittal from the bench in a nationally covered triple-murder and felonious-assault case—successfully arguing that prosecutors failed to meet the legal standard required for conviction.
- Landmark DNA Appellate Win (State v. Scott): Persuaded the Supreme Court of Ohio to redefine the standard for post-conviction DNA testing in circumstantial-evidence cases, creating a statewide precedent that expands access to justice for the wrongfully convicted.
- Vehicular Homicide Acquittal (State v. Scott): Secured a complete acquittal by demonstrating through enhanced video analysis and expert accident reconstruction that the decedent, not the client, caused the fatal crash.
- Evidence Rule Modification (State v. Hartman): Co-counseled a successful appeal before the Supreme Court of Ohio, resulting in a major restriction on the use of prejudicial “other acts” evidence in sex-crime prosecutions and strengthening due-process protections statewide.
- Aggravated Vehicular Assault Acquittal (State v. Susan Smith): Achieved a full acquittal by dismantling the State’s blood-alcohol evidence and proving through expert testimony that a motorcyclist’s unsafe lane encroachment—not impairment—caused the collision.
- Homicide Charge Reduction (State v. Steve Gue): Negotiated a dramatic reduction from murder to reckless homicide, securing a substantially reduced sentence and early parole eligibility for the client.
- Federal Sentencing Mitigation: Demonstrated elite federal-court advocacy, including reducing potential multi-year sentences to one year in a federal bribery case (U.S. v. Mukundkumar) and house arrest and probation in a federal bankruptcy-fraud case (U.S. v. Brehun).
When Losing Is Not an Option, Call Joe Patituce
In a crowded legal landscape, Joseph Patituce stands alone in a rare intersection of attributes:
- Insider knowledge as a former prosecutor
- Elite certification as a board-certified criminal trial specialist
- Proven success in high-stakes, high-profile cases
- Unmatched trial experience with 400+ jury trials
Clients facing the most serious accusations—those who feel the odds are stacked against them—call Joe because he offers more than just legal representation; he offers a path forward.
Joseph Patituce is the lawyer people trust when everything is on the line. Call (440) 771-1175 to discuss your case in a free consultation. We're available 24/7.
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"The practice of criminal law is at the heart of what happens every day in our society. I started practicing criminal law as a way of helping people obtain justice for themselves and their families."
