Should You Take Your Criminal Case to Trial in Franklin County? What You Need to Know

When facing criminal charges, one of the toughest decisions you’ll make is whether to accept a plea bargain or take your criminal case to trial. Both carry significant personal, financial, and long-term consequences that impact your freedom, family, and career prospects. Accepting a plea may provide certainty and a lighter sentence, but it likely also means admitting guilt, even if you feel you’re innocent. On the other hand, you could fight it out in court. You might win and clear your name. But trials are risky, expensive, and stressful. There are no guarantees.

At Luftman, Heck & Associates LLP, our Franklin County criminal defense attorneys understand these complexities. We’re dedicated to providing thoughtful guidance, personalized advice, and aggressive representation to help you decide what’s best for your situation, whether you’re facing charges in Columbus, Ohio, or elsewhere in Franklin County.

Know Your Options: Plea Bargain vs. Going to Trial in Columbus, OH

When charged with a crime in Franklin County, Ohio, you’ll typically have two primary options for resolving your case: accepting a plea agreement, sometimes called a plea bargain, or taking your case to trial.

A plea agreement is an agreement reached between your criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor, in which you agree to plead guilty (or sometimes no contest) in exchange for reduced charges, lighter sentencing, or other negotiated terms. Plea deals offer the benefit of predictability, potentially reduced penalties, and faster resolution, but they require you to admit guilt, sometimes even if you believe you’re innocent or that the charges are unjust.

Going to trial in a criminal case involves contesting the charges against you in court. At trial, the prosecution must present evidence and prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while your defense attorney presents evidence and arguments in your favor. Trials provide an opportunity for acquittal, dismissal, or reduced charges; however, they are inherently uncertain, more costly, and can carry higher stakes if you lose.

How to Make Informed Decisions About Your Case

Deciding between accepting a plea and taking your criminal case to trial is a highly personal decision with profound implications for your life. It’s crucial to make this decision with a clear understanding of your rights, the strength of the prosecution’s case, and the potential outcomes.

A knowledgeable and nearby Columbus defense attorney can help you analyze your options based on your unique circumstances.

To make a fully informed decision about whether to go to trial, consider:

Is It Better to Plead Guilty or Go to Trial?

This depends on multiple factors, including the strength of the evidence against you, potential penalties, and personal considerations like family or employment. While a plea deal can offer certainty, a trial provides the chance for full vindication if successful.

Is It Worth It to Go to Trial?

If the prosecution’s evidence is weak or illegally obtained, or if your constitutional rights were violated during your arrest, it may be worth it to challenge your case at trial. However, if the evidence is overwhelming, trial risks harsher penalties.

Most Criminal Cases Do Not Go to Trial

Nationally, approximately 90-95% of criminal cases are resolved through pleas without going to trial. This figure similarly applies to Franklin County and the Columbus area courts, making plea negotiations a common method of resolving charges.

Most criminal cases settle without trial because pleas offer efficiency, cost savings, and certainty for both defendants and prosecutors. Trials can be lengthy, expensive, and stressful for everyone involved.

Before making your choice between going to trial or potentially accepting a conviction, always consult with an experienced Franklin County criminal trial lawyer who can thoroughly explain your options, evaluate the specifics of your case, and guide you toward the decision that’s best for you.

Reasons to Consider Taking Your Criminal Case to Trial

You Are Innocent: If you genuinely believe you are innocent, a trial gives you the crucial opportunity to publicly assert and prove your innocence. Under Ohio law, the prosecutor must prove every element of the crime “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This high standard protects you by placing the burden squarely on the prosecution—meaning that if the jury or judge has any reasonable doubt, you could secure an acquittal and clear your name.
Weak or Problematic Evidence: Sometimes, the prosecution’s evidence is unreliable, inconsistent, or illegally obtained. Issues such as improper searches, lack of credible eyewitnesses, or flawed forensic testing can severely weaken a prosecutor’s case. Your Franklin County criminal defense lawyer can file suppression motions to exclude improperly obtained evidence. Successfully challenging evidence can often lead to a case dismissal or significantly improve your chances of acquittal at trial.
Unfair or Harsh Plea Offer: In some cases, prosecutors might offer plea deals that are disproportionately severe or involve charges that exaggerate the severity of the alleged offense. This tactic, known as overcharging, puts unnecessary pressure on defendants to accept unjust deals. By preparing thoroughly for trial and demonstrating your willingness to contest the charges, your attorney can leverage stronger negotiations and potentially secure fairer outcomes, including reduced charges or a more appropriate plea deal.
Constitutional Violations: If your constitutional rights were violated during arrest or investigation—such as through unlawful searches, illegal seizures, or failures to issue Miranda warnings—you have strong grounds for challenging your case in court. In Franklin County criminal trials, constitutional violations can lead to crucial evidence being thrown out, substantially weakening or even dismantling the prosecutor’s case entirely.
Jury vs. Judge Decisions: In Franklin County, defendants typically have the right to choose a jury trial rather than having their case decided solely by a judge. Jury trials offer distinct advantages, such as appealing to community sympathy or leveraging emotional testimony to connect with jurors on a personal level. Given Franklin County’s diverse demographics, your attorney can help identify whether a jury may be more sympathetic or favorable toward your circumstances, potentially improving your chances of acquittal or reduced penalties.

When to Consider a Plea in Franklin County

Certainty of Outcome: A plea deal provides predictability and removes the uncertainty associated with trial. When you negotiate and accept a plea bargain, you’ll know precisely what to expect in terms of charges and sentencing. For example, your charges could be significantly reduced—such as pleading to a misdemeanor instead of a felony—or you may receive probation instead of jail time. This certainty allows you to move forward without the stress and risk associated with a trial verdict.
Reduced Sentence: In Ohio, sentencing guidelines offer prosecutors flexibility to negotiate reduced sentences as part of plea agreements. Accepting a plea often results in penalties that are considerably less severe than the maximum you’d face if convicted at trial. For instance, charges that initially carry prison sentences may be reduced to probation, community service, or shorter periods of incarceration. Many Franklin County defendants benefit from plea agreements that substantially minimize their overall punishment.
Efficiency: Cost & Time Considerations: Taking your case to trial is typically more expensive and time-consuming than accepting a plea bargain. Plea agreements often result in quicker case resolutions, fewer court appearances, and significantly reduced attorney’s fees. Considering Franklin County’s busy court system, trial dates can often be delayed for months, causing additional stress and uncertainty. Pleas help defendants resolve their cases efficiently and return to their everyday lives sooner.
Strong Evidence Against You: If the prosecution’s evidence against you is compelling—such as clear surveillance video, reliable eyewitness testimony, or indisputable forensic evidence—the likelihood of conviction at trial can be high. In such situations, it often makes sense to accept a plea deal to avoid harsher sentencing. Your attorney will honestly evaluate the strength of the prosecution’s evidence and help you weigh whether accepting a plea agreement is strategically the safer choice.
Control Over Your Future: Accepting a plea deal gives you greater control over your immediate future and helps minimize potential disruptions to your personal, family, and professional life. A trial verdict can be unpredictable and may result in severe penalties that dramatically alter your future opportunities, employment prospects, and reputation. Plea agreements, however, provide you with greater certainty, allowing you to plan for your life after the case is over.

The Role of an Attorney in Deciding Between Trial & Plea

Your attorney is essential when deciding whether to accept a plea deal or take your case to trial, so choosing the right representation matters. While public defenders are available if you can’t afford private counsel, they often have heavy caseloads and limited resources, which can restrict the personal attention your case receives.

Hiring a private criminal defense attorney in Franklin County typically means more focused attention, greater resources, and thorough preparation—factors that can greatly improve your outcome. Regardless of the type of lawyer you choose, attorneys must clearly explain all plea offers and discuss the potential outcomes.

Ultimately, the decision to accept a plea or go to trial is yours, even if it differs from your lawyer’s advice.

Read:

Can My Charges Get Dismissed Before Trial in Columbus, Ohio?

Yes, charges can sometimes be dismissed before trial if your attorney successfully argues that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence, obtained evidence illegally, or violated your rights. For example, dismissal might occur if police conducted an unlawful search or mishandled evidence in your case.

Will I Get a Lighter Sentence in Franklin County if I Accept a Plea?

Generally, accepting a plea results in a lighter sentence compared to being convicted at trial. Franklin County judges typically view plea agreements favorably since they save time and resources; common outcomes include reduced charges, probation, diversion programs, or shortened jail sentences.

What Happens if I Lose My Criminal Trial?

If convicted at trial, sentencing will follow Ohio guidelines and can include imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service, depending on the crime. Additionally, you’ll have the right to appeal the verdict, though appeals are complex and outcomes uncertain; a conviction can significantly impact your personal, financial, and social life.

How Does a Guilty Verdict Affect My Family and Future?

A guilty verdict can profoundly affect your life beyond sentencing, leading to consequences such as loss of employment opportunities, difficulty securing housing, strained family relationships, and even custody challenges involving your children.

How Do I Know if a Criminal Trial is Worth It?

Determining whether to go to trial involves evaluating the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, assessing potential defenses, considering plea offers, and reflecting on your personal priorities, such as family impact, career implications, and your ability to tolerate uncertainty and risk.

Luftman, Heck & Associates Can Help If You’re Thinking about Trial

At Luftman, Heck & Associates, our Columbus defense team knows how stressful and confusing it can be to decide between accepting a plea deal or going to trial. With extensive experience in Franklin County criminal defense, our attorneys have successfully guided countless clients through these tough decisions by clearly explaining their legal options, evaluating evidence, and aggressively defending their rights in court.

Contact LHA today at (614) 500-3836 for a free consultation, and we’ll help you determine the best path forward to achieve the most favorable outcome possible.