Should You Take Your Criminal Case to Trial? Things to Consider

The decision of whether or not to take your case to trial is a tough one. There are a number of different variables to consider, including your finances, your family, and how it will affect you personally, to name a few.

Hiring a private criminal defense attorney can help you navigate this process and what you should consider.

If you’re debating whether it’s worth it to take your case to trial, you’ll need an experienced, empathetic lawyer who can help guide you. Here at Luftman, Heck & Associates, our accomplished team of criminal defense attorneys can help you weigh the pros and con of accepting a plea, what the long-term implications are, and how to make the right decision for their case.

Call (614) 500-3836 or contact us online today for a free consultation.

Things to Consider When Taking a Case to Trial

• Can the Case Be Dismissed – An experienced lawyer will thoroughly examine your case to see if it can get dismissed. This decision is usually up to the prosecutor and typically based on the strength of the evidence. If there are any complications that make securing a conviction challenging they are more likely to agree to dismiss the charges. A dismissal is beneficial because it saves everyone time and money.
• How a Guilty Verdict Will Affect You – Sometimes pleading guilty can resolve things more quickly and smoothly. For starters, it can save you a lot of money. Pleading guilty (or opting for a plea bargain) may also get you a lighter overall sentence or reduced charges, which is ultimately an agreement reached by your defense lawyer and the prosecutor for your case.

  Moreover, going this route can save you the uncertainty and potential public embarrassment of a public jury trial. For defendants with families and young children, this may be an especially sensitive component of the whole process.

• Your Attorney – If you are unable to pay for an attorney who can help you with your case, you’ll be assigned a public defender. Public defenders are attorneys who are appointed to represent people who cannot afford a private attorney.

  While the financial advantages of having a public defender are obvious, public defenders are also typically stretched very thin by the sheer number of their cases. As a result, they may not be able to give your case the care and attention it deserves, and your case might not hold up well in trial, either. Your chances of winning a trial a case are much higher with a private attorney, since they’ll have more time, energy, and resources to handle the specifics of your case.

How Luftman, Heck & Associates Can Assist You

At Luftman, Heck & Associates, we understand how overwhelming it can be when deciding whether or not to bring your case to trial. But our intimate understanding of Ohio criminal defense law has helped us guide plenty of our clients through these difficult legal processes.

Call us today at (614) 500-3836 to learn more. We’ll explain your options and your best chance of resolving things in your favor.