West Union & Adams County Criminal Defense | Direct Attorney Access: 330-265-6016

Facing criminal charges in West Union or anywhere in Adams County requires an aggressive defense strategy built on Ohio state law and constitutional protections. While local administrative procedures may vary by courthouse, the fundamental rights guaranteed to the accused remain identical across every courtroom in Ohio.

Attorney Emmanuel Makris provides dedicated, trial-focused representation for clients facing state and local charges throughout Ohio, including West Union and Adams County. Operating with a transparent, flat-fee pricing model, Attorney Makris personally handles every phase of your defense—ensuring you have direct access to your attorney from initial arraignment through the final resolution of your case.

Effective legal advocacy requires applying rigorous, evidence-based defense strategies to the specific venue where state charges are filed. We provide direct representation for cases proceeding through the judicial systems in West Union, including:

1. Adams County Court Defense

   Located at the courthouse on West Main Street in West Union, the Adams County Court handles the jurisdiction's first-degree misdemeanors, OVI/DUI offenses, traffic citations, and preliminary hearings for felony arrests occurring anywhere within Adams County, which includes:

• Villages & Communities: West Union, Manchester, Peebles, Seaman, Winchester, Cherry Fork, and Rome (Irmo)

• Townships: Wayne, Winchester, Scott, Franklin, Meigs, Bratton, Oliver, Tiffin, Liberty, Jefferson, Monroe, Green, and Sprigg

• Judge Information: Judge Roy E. Gabbert, Jr. – Adams County Court

  • Jurisdiction: Presides over the County Court, handling traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes up to $15,000, and small claims.

  • Years Elected: First elected in 2018; re-elected in 2024 (term running through 2030).

  • Legal History & Background:

    • Education: Graduated with a B.A. (1986) and J.D. (1989) from The Ohio State University.

    • Private Practice: Worked as a solo practitioner in West Union, Ohio, for over 28 years beginning in 1989, specializing in real estate, probate, misdemeanor defense, traffic, and general civil law.

    • Prior Judicial/Public Experience: Appointed as an Acting Judge for the Adams County Court across two spans (1992–1994 and 1997–2018). Served as a Court Referee/Magistrate for both the Adams County and Brown County Common Pleas Courts (1992–1994). He also served on the Adams County Board of Elections for nine years.

• Our Statewide Approach: County court cases move rapidly. We step in at arraignment to advocate for reasonable bond conditions. We then demand full evidentiary discovery under Ohio Criminal Rule 16—including local law enforcement body-worn camera footage, Ohio State Highway Patrol dashcams, and breathalyzer calibration records—to rigorously challenge the constitutionality of the traffic stop or arrest.

2. Adams County Court of Common Pleas Defense

Also situated at the main courthouse in West Union, the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas is the venue for major criminal offenses under the Ohio Revised Code. Regardless of where an initial arrest occurred within the county, all adult felony cases are prosecuted here. This court presides over felony indictments (Felony 5 through Felony 1), including drug trafficking, violent offenses, and complex financial crimes.

• Our Statewide Approach: We bring a trial-first philosophy to every felony indictment. Rather than assuming a plea agreement is the only path forward, we independently evaluate the state’s forensic evidence, scrutinize search warrant affidavits for constitutional defects, and prepare the defense to be argued before an Adams County jury.

• Judge Informations: Judge Brett M. Spencer – Adams County Court of Common Pleas

  • Jurisdiction: Handles General Division civil and criminal cases, Domestic Relations, Probate, and Juvenile matters. (Note: Legislation passed via the Ohio State Bar Association established a second Common Pleas seat to be elected in 2026 to split Probate/Juvenile duties starting in 2029).

  • Years Elected: First elected in 2004; re-elected in 2010, 2016, and 2022 (term running through 2029).

  • Legal History & Background:

    • Education: Earned a B.S. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law.

    • Private Practice: Admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1989. Spent 15 years as a private practice attorney in Adams County focusing on personal injury, probate, family law, and criminal defense before taking the bench

3. Adams County Juvenile Court Defense

Operating as a specialized division within the Adams County Common Pleas system, juvenile proceedings address delinquency allegations, underage OVI, and statutory offenses originating anywhere within Adams County limits. While the juvenile system prioritizes rehabilitation, the long-term consequences of an adjudication can severely impact a minor's future.

• Our Statewide Approach: We advocate to protect the constitutional rights of minors, contest motions for bind-over transfers to adult criminal court, and work to resolve matters in ways that protect the youth's permanent record and future educational opportunities.

We provide comprehensive defense representation across Ohio for a wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

• Sex Offenses: Strategic and discreet defense against life-altering allegations, including Rape, Sexual Battery, Gross Sexual Imposition (GSI), Public Indecency, and challenging sex offender registry requirements.

• OVI / DUI & Traffic Offenses: Challenging breathalyzer accuracy, field sobriety test administration, appealing administrative license suspension, and fighting to protect your driving privileges from BMV administrative suspensions.

• Drug Crimes: Defending against state and federal-level drug possession, manufacturing, Trafficking in Drugs, and Major Drug Offender (MDO) indictments.

• Domestic Violence & Protection Orders: Protecting your rights against Domestic Violence charges, Assault, and defending against the issuance of Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) that threaten your home and family access.

• Violent Crimes: High-stakes trial defense for Assault, Aggravated Assault, Felonious Assault, Manslaughter, Murder, and self-defense cases.

• Weapons & Firearms Offenses: Defending your Second Amendment rights against charges of Improper Handling of a Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) violations, and Having Weapons Under Disability.

• Theft & Property Crimes: Strategic defense for Petty Theft, Shoplifting, Burglary, Robbery, and Grand Theft.

• White-Collar & Financial Crimes: Representation for complex financial allegations including Fraud, Embezzlement, Forgery, and Identity Fraud.

• Juvenile Offenses: Protecting the futures of minors facing delinquency proceedings in Ohio juvenile courts, keeping focus on rehabilitation over punishment.

• Record Sealing & Expungement: Helping eligible clients seal or expunge past criminal convictions to restore their employment opportunities and clear their public record.

When an individual is arrested and held at the Adams County Jail or a local holding facility in West Union, immediate legal intervention is critical. Delaying representation allows the prosecution to present an unmonitored initial position on bail. We advocate forcefully at initial bond hearings to request reasonable pretrial release conditions, allowing clients to return to their families and employment while we build their defense.

Hiring a criminal defense attorney in Adams County should not involve unpredictable hourly billing or hidden monthly fees. Attorney Makris operates on a fully transparent, flat-rate pricing model for cases across Ohio. Before you sign a fee agreement, you will know the exact cost of your legal representation—including trial preparation—allowing you to focus entirely on your defense rather than worrying about the cost of a phone call. For cases in Southern Ohio, any necessary travel adjustments will be clearly outlined upfront in your flat-rate quote. All flat fees are the complete cost for representation including trial.

Prices:

• Minor Misdemeanor- $1000

• Misdemeanor 4 -(M4): $1500

• Misdemeanor 3-(M3): $1500

• Misdemeanor 2 -(M2): $1500

• Misdemeanor 1 -(M1): $1750

• 1st OVI: $2000

• Felony 5 (F5): $3000

• Felony 4 (F4): $4000

• Felony 3 (F3): $5000

• Felony 2 (F2): $7500

• Felony 1 (F1): $10,000

• Major Drug Offender (MDO): $15,000

• Murder: $20,000

​Fees are typical estimates including trial. We reserve the right to adjust for complexity and or travel. We have offices in the Stark County Area and near Lucas County. There may a flat transparent traveling fee that takes account the traveling time required to handle your case. Fees cover legal representation; clients pay court costs and 3rd party expenses. Fees do not include appellate representation in your particular case. We fight for your future.