Guide to Finding Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyer

Guide to Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyers

Being charged with a crime can have lifelong consequences. That's why in the state of Ohio, you need OH criminal defense lawyers with proven experience who can guide you through the criminal justice process. If you have been charged with a crime, having an Ohio criminal defense lawyer to represent you is your Constitutional right. You may be wondering how to find Ohio criminal defense lawyers, or what an OH criminal defense lawyer can do for you.

Wonder no more—let this guide help you. In this guide, you will learn about the different types of OH criminal defense lawyers and how to find an Ohio criminal defense lawyer who suits your needs. At the end of this guide, you will even learn how to get the most out of consultations with Ohio criminal defense lawyers so that you can find the OH criminal defense lawyer to best represent you.

Public and Private OH Criminal Defense Lawyers

You have a basic Constitutional right to be represented by an Ohio criminal defense lawyer if you have been arrested in the state of Ohio. Your OH criminal defense lawyer has a role that begins well in advance of any trial date. You are allowed to ask for Ohio criminal defense lawyers to be present when you are being subjected to interrogation or questioning by police. Your Ohio criminal defense lawyer will be able to advise you when to exercise your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.

If you cannot afford a private OH criminal defense lawyer, the state of Ohio hires many public defenders who can represent you. These are public OH criminal defense lawyers who work only with those who cannot afford an Ohio criminal defense lawyer from a private firm.

The state will determine your eligibility for a public OH criminal defense lawyer at an initial hearing. You will have to show that your assets and income are too low to pay private Ohio criminal defense lawyers, and that you require a public Ohio criminal defense lawyer instead. Even if you qualify for a public OH criminal defense lawyer, you are allowed to fire that lawyer and hire a private Ohio criminal defense lawyer if you feel the private OH criminal defense lawyer would serve you better.

Plea Bargaining

If you are willing to plead guilty, your OH criminal defense lawyers may try to work out a plea bargain with the district attorney. Your Ohio criminal defense lawyer can talk to prosecutors about reducing your sentence or arranging an alternative sentence. For instance, you may want to talk to Ohio criminal defense lawyers about arranging drug and alcohol treatment as an alternative sentencing option in a DUI case.

Your OH criminal defense lawyer can advise you to take a plea bargain, but you can never be forced into a guilty plea. OH criminal defense lawyers can only make recommendations, due to state ethics rules.

Going to Trial

If you choose to plead not guilty, your Ohio criminal defense lawyer will take your case to trial. Ohio criminal defense lawyers only go to trial in a small percentage of cases. If you choose to go to trial, you should make sure your OH criminal defense lawyer has trial experience with similar cases.

Your Ohio criminal defense lawyer can help you by strategically picking jury pools more likely to be sympathetic to your side of the story. OH criminal defense lawyers also have experience in taking depositions from witnesses and hiring experts to point out flaws in the prosecution's theory.

Appealing the Verdict

Even if you have been convicted of a crime, many Ohio criminal defense lawyers do work at the appellate level. If you choose to appeal your case with an OH criminal defense lawyer, you will go through appellate hearings. Not all cases will qualify for an appeal, and even if your Ohio criminal defense lawyer attempts to obtain an appeal, you may not get one. Even so, appealing a conviction is another way OH criminal defense lawyers can represent you in legal proceedings.

Can I Afford Ohio Criminal Defense Lawyers?

If you do not qualify based on your income and assets for an OH criminal defense lawyer to be given to you by the state, you can probably afford a private Ohio criminal defense lawyer. You may be surprised at the low rates that OH criminal defense lawyers can offer. Usually, your OH criminal defense lawyer will operate on a flat fee basis, meaning that the fee will be decided upon ahead of time and will pay for all your legal services in a single fee.

Ohio criminal defense lawyers generally charge a different flat fee depending on whether you work out a plea bargain with the DA or take your case to trial. Appellate litigation will require you to pay separate fees to your OH criminal defense lawyer.

Finding OH Criminal Defense Lawyers

Looking for an Ohio criminal defense lawyer to represent you doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can conduct a web search or get word-of-mouth recommendations, but if this doesn't give you the OH criminal defense lawyer you want, you can also try using the website for the state bar of Ohio.

The find-a-lawyer service on the state bar's site will enable you to find Ohio criminal defense lawyers in your area who have experience with similar cases. You can also see if your county offers a lawyer referral service. Generally, you will be able to initially schedule a half-hour consultation with OH criminal defense lawyers, which will cost only a nominal fee.

Your First Consultation

If you have any documentation pertaining to your criminal charges—like arrest reports or documentation of an alibi—you should bring these to your initial consultations with Ohio criminal defense lawyers. You should also write down any questions you have about your case or the Ohio criminal defense lawyer you are visiting.

Bring a pen and paper to write down answers to your questions and notes about the OH criminal defense lawyers you consult with. This can help you keep fee structures and Ohio criminal defense lawyers straight if you are comparison shopping for a lower fee.