Ohio and federal law impose serious penalties for weapons offenses, and many charges carry mandatory minimum sentences that eliminate a judge's discretion at sentencing. Being convicted of carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, having a weapon under disability, or possessing a firearm during a felony can add years to an otherwise lower sentence. If you are facing a weapons charge in Cleveland or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, the time to act is now.
Moran & Fisher, Attorneys at Law, LLC defends clients charged with weapons offenses in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, the Cleveland Justice Center, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
The Weapons Charges We Defend
Having Weapons While Under Disability (O.R.C. § 2923.13) — Possessing or using a firearm while prohibited from doing so by a prior felony conviction, a prior domestic violence conviction, a current indictment, or other specified status. A third-degree felony. [TODO: confirm current F3 sentencing range for attorney review]
Carrying a Concealed Weapon (CCW) Without a Permit (O.R.C. § 2923.12) — Carrying a concealed handgun or dangerous ordnance without a valid concealed handgun license. A first-degree misdemeanor in many circumstances, but elevated to a felony when prior convictions are present or specific circumstances apply.
Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle (O.R.C. § 2923.16) — Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle without the required permit, or transporting a firearm improperly. Ranges from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a felony depending on circumstances including the presence of a loaded firearm, a prior conviction, or the age of other occupants.
Firearm Specifications — Under Ohio law, when a firearm is used in the commission of a felony, an additional "firearm specification" is added to the charge. Conviction on a specification carries mandatory prison time that runs consecutive to the underlying sentence. This is one of the most significant sentencing enhancements in Ohio criminal law. [TODO: confirm current mandatory specification sentences for attorney review]
Federal Firearms Charges — Felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), illegal firearms trafficking, and straw purchases are among the federal charges our firm defends in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Federal firearms convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences and are prosecuted by experienced federal prosecutors.
Unlawful Possession of a Dangerous Ordnance — Possessing, manufacturing, or using machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, explosive devices, or other prohibited weapons. A fifth-degree felony in the base case; penalties escalate based on the type of weapon and the circumstances.
What's at Stake
Weapons convictions in Ohio frequently trigger mandatory minimum sentences. A firearm specification on a felony charge can add one, two, or three additional mandatory years in prison — served before, and consecutive to, the underlying sentence. Federal firearms convictions can carry even longer mandatory terms. Beyond incarceration, a conviction means a permanent loss of your right to possess a firearm under both state and federal law.
How Moran & Fisher Defends Weapons Cases
Motions to suppress. Many weapons charges arise from traffic stops, pat-downs, or searches. Attorney Moran has significant experience writing and successfully arguing motions to suppress evidence obtained through wrongful police conduct. If a firearm was discovered during a search that violated your Fourth Amendment rights, the evidence may be suppressed — which can end the prosecution's case.
Challenging the "under disability" element. Weapons-while-under-disability charges require the prosecution to prove that you had a legal disability at the time of possession. We examine whether prior convictions were constitutionally obtained and whether the disability was properly established.
Contesting constructive possession. When a firearm is found in a shared vehicle or home, the prosecution must prove that it was under your dominion and control — not just that it was physically nearby. We challenge constructive possession arguments where the facts support it.
Federal defense. Moran & Fisher is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. We handle both state and federal weapons charges.
Trial-tested defense. With over 100 jury trials and over 300 bench trials of combined experience — many in Cuyahoga County — our attorneys are prepared to take your case to verdict when the evidence and strategy support it.
Appellate backstop. Our firm has written and argued over 500 appeals. If your case involves a constitutional suppression issue or a sentencing error, the fight does not end at the trial court level.
Why Moran & Fisher
Weapons cases — particularly those involving mandatory minimums and firearm specifications — demand precise legal work from attorneys who know Ohio's sentencing framework and the constitutional law governing searches and seizures. Moran & Fisher is a boutique firm with direct partner attention on every case. Attorney Moran is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell (peer and judicial rating) and is widely recognized by Cleveland lawyers as one of the city's most respected courthouse defense attorneys.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.