A FIGHTER IN COURT
Attorney Tom DeBacco is an unconventional, unpredictable trial lawyer. He is a trial lawyer who achieves remarkable success in high stakes criminal cases. Trials are high stakes encounters. DeBacco takes risks. DeBacco likes impossible odds. His results speak for themselves. Tom DeBacco continuously, vigilantly, and relentlessly defends his clients, truly adhering to the main philosophy of the DeBacco Law Office: "Need a Fighter in Court?"... You’ve got one.
Tom began fighting for his clients in the practice of criminal law in Columbus, Ohio upon graduating from Capital Law School. He took on capital murder cases, drug cases and many other criminal cases. He then opened his Port Clinton office nearly 20 years ago and has been fighting for his client's rights every day for 39 years.Because of his extensive and vast amount of courtroom experience, Tom is the
fighter people go to time and time again when they are up against the power of prosecutors and government. Tom firmly believes in the notion that each client is presumed innocent until the government proves their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
NOTABLE CASES
State of Ohio v C.B.
In 2015, Tom defended a Put-in-Bay employee in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court charged with 2 counts of rape. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts on both charges. The client suffered no convictions.
State of Ohio v E.B.
In 2008, Tom defended a client in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court charged with 21 counts of sexual battery and 13 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The maximum penalty for these charges was 170 years in prison. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all charges. The client suffered no convictions.
State of Ohio v C.T.
In 2007, Tom defended a local woman in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court charged with 1 count of aggravated vehicular homicide. The jury delivered a not guilty verdict.
State of Ohio v M.P. & G.M.Jr.
In 2006, Tom defended two co-defendants in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court charged with 2 counts felonious assault and 1 count felony breaking and entering. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all charges. The clients suffered no convictions.
State of Ohio v C.O.
In 2005, Tom defended a U.S. Coast Guard reservist in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court charged with 1 felony count of gross sexual imposition and disorderly conduct. The jury delivered not guilty verdicts. The client suffered no convictions.
State of Michigan v A.M.
In 2003, Tom traveled to Macomb County, MI to defend a Put-in-Bay resident for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to deliver controlled substance Phenobarbital, maintaining a Drug House, possession with intent to deliver Phenobarbital, and delivery of Phenobarbital. Following a weeklong trial, the jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all felony charges. The client was found guilty of one misdemeanor.
State of Ohio v C.P.
In 2013, DeBacco Law defended a client in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court indicted for 8 felonies that arose out of a murder at Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The client was a witness to the incident and agreed with the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office to divulge details about the crime and coverup, in exchange for immunity. Despite the immunity agreement, the client was indicted. He then hired DeBacco Law, and we gained a dismissal for the client, but the prosecutor appealed the court’s dismissal. Through further written and oral arguments in The Sixth District Court of Appeals and The Supreme Court of Ohio, all felonies against our client were dismissed. The murderer and one other witness, neither of whom were represented by DeBacco Law Office, were found guilty.
State of Ohio v P.B.
In 2013, several workers, including the owner, of a Sandusky business were charged with multiple felonies involving the sale of alleged synthetic marijuana. DeBacco Law Office represented the owner of the business. A motion was filed by DeBacco Law to dismiss the charges, but the Ohio Attorney General's Office opposed. After a full hearing, the presiding Judge agreed with the arguments set forth by DeBacco Law Office. The charges were dismissed. The client suffered no convictions. The co-defendant was convicted because the other attorney simply pled them to the charges without fighting the charges.
State of Ohio v J.K.
In 2013, the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont Police Department, and the Woodville Police Department executed a search pursuant to a warrant at a residence in Fremont, Ohio. The search yielded suspected cocaine in an amount over 100 grams; meaning a mandatory 11-year sentence for a conviction. DeBacco Law filed a Motion to Suppress, which the trial court denied. The matter proceeded to trial where the client was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison. DeBacco Law appealed the verdict and won, which released the client from prison. The Sixth District Court of Appeals agreed with the arguments set forth by DeBacco Law Office. The matter was set for trial a second time, where another guilty verdict was returned. DeBacco Law again appealed the verdict and won, which released the client from prison a second time. The prosecutor then appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. The client retained another attorney, did not hire DeBacco Law and was ultimately sent back to prison.