Free Consultation / 24 Hours a Day - (614) 500-3836

Practice Areas

Do I Need a Columbus Defense Lawyer?

Columbus is home to some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the city. One of your strongest defenses you can give yourself is to hire representation from a private attorney local to your city.

When you are facing criminal charges in Columbus, you have a number of options. You can move forward with your defense on your own. America’s criminal justice system enables you to represent yourself. If you want an attorney and cannot afford one, the court may assign a busy public defender to represent you. However, neither representing yourself nor using an overworked public attorney offer you the greatest chance of proving your innocence or minimizing the consequences of a conviction. Columbus is home to some of the best criminal defense lawyers in the city. One of your strongest defenses you can give yourself is to hire representation from a private attorney near you who can provide the attention your case deserves.

Our Columbus criminal defense lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates can help you overcome any criminal charge you or a loved one may be facing. When you call us today, we will explain the complex Ohio criminal court system while ensuring that your rights are protected at every step. Call us at (614) 500-3836.

A private criminal defense attorney in Columbus can help you in many ways, including:

Protecting Your Constitutional Rights

You are constantly protected by the U.S. Constitution. When you are arrested or investigated by the police, you have the following rights:

  • The right to remain silent (anything you say can and will be used against you)
  • The right to have an attorney present during questioning
  • The right to have an attorney appointed if you cannot afford one

These rights probably sound familiar. That is because they are part of your Miranda rights, which you have probably heard on TV shows. By working with the best Columbus criminal defense lawyer you can find for your case, your rights are more likely to be respected and protected

Legal Knowledge

When you are charged with a criminal offense, the state is required to prove certain elements of that offense. Criminal investigators must collect specific evidence to prove those elements. A criminal defense lawyer knows what the investigators and prosecutors are looking for and can help you avoid incriminating yourself. A skilled Columbus criminal defense attorney will evaluate the prosecutor’s case and consider complex legal information that they have gained through years of education and experience. Although you are legally allowed to represent yourself during the criminal justice process, you do not likely have the legal knowledge to do so adequately.

An Objective Opinion

When you have been through the traumatic experience of being arrested and charged with a crime, you cannot be objective about your own situation. You may be angry about being falsely accused. You might feel terrified that you will be harshly punished for a one-time mistake. Your emotions make it impossible to take a close look at the prosecutor’s case and your own best defense. That is why you need a criminal defense lawyer. An experienced criminal attorney can analyze your situation, review the prosecutor’s evidence, weigh the most effective defenses, and provide you with an objective opinion regarding your legal options and the best and worst case scenarios.

Local Experience

The criminal justice system in Columbus functions differently than it does in Cincinnati or Dayton. Every court has local forms, processes, and preferences. A Columbus criminal defense attorney has the right experience to understand these nuances and can make sure you meet the expectations of Columbus courts. It is best to work with a criminal defense attorney near you who knows their way around your local courtroom and who is familiar with local judges and prosecutors so they know what to expect.

Improving Your Immediate Circumstances

When you are arrested and initially charged, there are steps a lawyer can take right away to improve your situation. An attorney can argue for you to be released on a fair bail. Every judge has different preferences when it comes to setting bail. Your experienced local criminal defense attorney can work with the court to encourage a lower amount of bail and can help your family obtain funds to get you released as soon as possible.

Fighting to Exclude Evidence

Just because the police obtain evidence, does not mean it will automatically be used in court. Evidence is often gained in a sketchy or unlawful manner, such as without probable cause or a properly executed search warrant. If this is the case, your lawyer has the leverage to ask a judge to exclude that evidence from the case entirely.

Seeking Reduced Penalties

Local criminal defense attorneys can never guarantee that they will prove your innocence or ensure you will receive the minimum punishment available. However, those are always two of their highest priorities. Your attorney will provide a strong argument as to why you deserve leniency. A tenacious and persuasive attorney may be able to win you a lighter sentence or avoid the harshest punishments like jail time.

Personalized Representation and Time

You may wonder whether you will benefit from hiring a private criminal defense attorney instead of using a public defender provided by the court. While public defenders are a necessity within our criminal justice system and they provide an imperative service to the community, they are also often overwhelmed with cases. A public defender may have your best interests at heart, but simply will not have enough time to dedicate to your case. By working with a private, local criminal defense attorney, you gain a lawyer who has the time to fully concentrate on your needs and situation.

Contact a Columbus Criminal Attorney Today!

The criminal court system can be intimidating. If you have no previous experience with it, it might seem like a maze. However, by working with an experienced Columbus criminal defense attorney, you gain a representative who knows the way through the labyrinth and can protect you along the way. If you have any questions or if you need a qualified attorney to help with your case, please contact Luftman, Heck, and Associates either by calling (614) 500-3836.

★★★★★
I can FINALLY breathe easy now. I want to thank Mr. Bowen and all the attorneys that helped me with this case.

Read Our Reviews