Holmes County prosecutors clarify complexities of criminal law at community forum

The Community Gathering on Harm, Safety and the Law took place in Winesburg Monday, Oct. 20, and while it featured a Q-and-A period with a panel of professionals from agencies dealing with safety, harm and protection throughout Holmes, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties, the first hour of the evening was devoted to educating the public in attendance about the intricacies of the law.

Holmes County prosecutor Matt Muzik and assistant prosecutor Mike Bickis fleshed out laws that determine the rights of both perpetrators and victims in crimes.

The duo touched on topics like why there is punishment, common misconceptions in the law, and how the relationship between victim and offender can often blur the lines between how cases evolve.

For Muzik, the evening was a testament of the community’s hunger to learn more about the law and understand the importance of reporting and standing by victims who experience acts of violence like domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other acts of crime.

“What we hoped to achieve through our presentation was to create more of an awareness to how our system applies to everyone in our community,” Muzik said. “Our hope is that by going over some of this information, it will supply some better insight into exactly how the law works. Sometimes when people don’t have all the proper information or receive misinformation, it can be intimidating.”

He said providing a working knowledge and educating the public should help alleviate many of the questions and unknowns of the law, and he especially hopes it will help people realize the importance of reporting crimes and taking a role in making their community safer.

He said when it comes to reporting a crime, even if it involves a loved one, friend or someone the person reporting may know personally, the goal isn’t always to punish, but also to rehabilitate that perpetrator and have them gain understanding of their wrongdoing.

“Sometimes the best rehabilitation that can come for someone is a result of facing the consequences of their actions,” Muzik said. “It can be a wakeup-call type of moment that a lot of people need when they realize that the fruit of their decisions has put them in a situation that they don’t prefer to be in.”

The discussion began with the importance of reporting crimes and the challenges that accompany that act.

Muzik focused on the fact that crimes are committed in every community and the laws in Ohio apply equally to each person.

He also discussed the results of cases and why the State of Ohio presents four principles in doling out punishment to felons.

Those four principles include deterrence, to correct future behavior; incapacitation, to make certain perpetrators can’t physically offend again; rehabilitation, to counsel the defendant; and retribution, the only victim-centric principle.

Muzik said among the most difficult cases are the ones dealing with child abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence because of the heinous nature each possesses.

“They are difficult from every aspect because it’s difficult to see the things that happen to people in our community,” Muzik said. “These cases present some unique challenges, usually where the victim and offender have close relationships and the ramifications involved.”

Muzik explored various aspects of the legal system including grand juries, time frames for events throughout the legal process, evidence, expert witnesses, how people can help report crimes, victim’s services and why some of the laws exist.

He spoke about the rules of evidence including here say; rape shield, which prevents the law from exploring a victim’s sexual history; and confrontation, meaning the perpetrator has the right to face his or her accuser.

He finished by exploring common misconceptions such as the idea that by reporting a crime someone will be ruining an offender’s life and the intricacies of a “victim versus offender” scenario where it’s one person’s word against another’s.

Bickis said when it comes to explaining details in a scenario or case to law enforcement and officials, there is one thing that is paramount.

“It is crucial that you are 100% open and honest with investigators,” Bickis said. “These things are personal and can be embarrassing, but being honest is critical because in many of these types of cases there won’t be a lot of physical evidence. It really comes down to the victim’s credibility, and being honest with what happened will make the process easier every step of the way.”

He said saying “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember” are fine if that is the truth because the honest answer is always the right answer to an investigator’s question.

Muzik completed the discussion by saying, “In the end the law is here to hold the offender accountable for their actions. Sometimes, people recognize there are consequences to their actions and they need to change their ways.”

He said his office is always open to anyone with questions surrounding the law.