Victoria writes about people management, legal practice, technology, and the future of work. Her diverse career has included experience as a US employment lawyer and various roles in human resource management, including a strategic HR role at The Walt Disney Company. Now living in the UK, Victoria provides unique insights on the world of work in the US, UK, and EU.
Victoria Pearce
Victoria writes about people management, legal practice, technology, and the future of work. Her diverse career has included experience as a US employment lawyer and various roles in human resource management, including a strategic HR role at The Walt Disney Company. Now living in the UK, Victoria provides unique insights on the world of work in the US, UK, and EU.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
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Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Facing criminal charges is stressful in any circumstance. If you find yourself in this situation, hiring a qualified criminal defense lawyer can go a long way to helping you understand your rights and ensuring you have an advocate to work on your behalf throughout the criminal trial process.
We have identified the best criminal defense lawyers in Columbus based on many objective factors. Read on to find the best advocate for your case and learn more about the criminal case process in Ohio.
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Show Summary
- Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Columbus, OH
- Compare Top Criminal Attorneys
- What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
- Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
- Expungement in Ohio
- How to Choose the Best Criminal Lawyer in Columbus, OH
- Columbus Criminal Defense Resources
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Columbus, OH
Compare Top Criminal Attorneys
What Is a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
A criminal defense lawyer is an advocate for clients who have been charged with crimes. Some criminal defense lawyers work for the state as a public defender, while others work in a private practice.
If you have been charged with a crime, you can choose to hire a criminal defense lawyer to represent you, or accept an appointed public defense lawyer. Your lawyer will interview you about your case, investigate and gather evidence, and advise you on your options. Your lawyer may attempt to negotiate a plea deal on your behalf, or may represent you in court before a jury, depending on the circumstances.
Public Defender vs. Private Criminal Attorney
The right to be represented by legal counsel is a basic right in Ohio. However, not every criminal charge raises this right. Defendants in Ohio criminal cases that have been charged with a fourth degree misdemeanor or higher will be assigned a public defender if they cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Public defenders are appointed by the court and do not charge defendants for their services.
While public defenders provide essential services, private attorneys often offer more personalized attention and may have a smaller caseload. The private criminal defense attorneys on our list have spent years developing trial skills and legal knowledge to seek the best outcomes for their clients. A private attorney can also represent you in cases where public defenders are not assigned, such as traffic violations that do not include a possibility of jail time.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?
Ohio will allow you to represent yourself in a criminal case, but doing so comes with significant risk. Criminal law is intricate and the consequences of making a mistake can be severe. If you qualify for assistance from a public defender, you are entitled to legal help.
Understanding the Legal Process for Criminal Cases
Criminal cases in Ohio can go through many steps before they are resolved. From start to finish, expect to go through some or all of the following:
- Arrest. A criminal case starts when a law enforcement officer charges you with a crime. This may occur following arrest if the officer has probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.
- Complaint and summons. Not all criminal cases will lead to arrest. Instead, you may be issued with a complaint that explains what you’ve been charged with and a notice of when and where you must appear. Failing to appear in response to a summons will likely result in a warrant issued for your arrest.
- Preliminary hearing. At this first appearance before a judge or magistrate, the charge will be described, as well as your right to counsel. For cases subject to a jury trial, this right will also be discussed.
- Plea bargaining. A plea bargain comes from a negotiation process that can occur at any stage during the criminal case process. The plea is your formal statement of guilt or innocence. A negotiated plea will require you to plead guilty or no contest to certain offenses in exchange for other offenses to be dismissed or modified. A criminal defense lawyer will help you decide whether a plea bargain is in your best interest or not.
- Arraignment. The arraignment occurs in open court, meaning that it occurs in a public courtroom where other parties and witnesses may also appear. At this appearance, you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you plead not guilty, then the case will move on to the next stage.
- Discovery. Before a trial, your attorney may seek to discover new evidence or prevent prosecutors from relying on evidence that was not obtained properly. Motions, which make requests for rulings on these issues, will be filed with the court. Not all motions are granted in criminal cases, so having a lawyer familiar with this process can be helpful to ensure your case is presented as favorably as possible.
- Trial. Many, but not all, criminal trials are conducted by a jury of peers. The number of jurors is higher in felony cases than it is for misdemeanor trials. In some circumstances, you may choose to waive a jury trial in favor of a ruling by a judge. At the completion of a trial, a verdict will be issued. If the jury or judge finds you guilty, it means that they believe beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime.
- Sentencing. This stage follows the trial if a guilty verdict is issued and you have been convicted of a crime. Sentencing sets the penalty for the crime, which may include jail time, fines or other punishments.
- Appeals. During sentencing, you will also be notified of your right to appeal the conviction. It is usually possible to file an appeal within 30 days of the conviction, but some cases are subject to different deadlines.
Resolving a Criminal Case in Ohio
Criminal cases can be resolved with a plea bargain, voluntary entry of a guilty plea, dismissal of charges, or a conviction following trial. Criminal defense lawyers should have experience with the sentencing guidelines in Ohio and can advise you of the likely outcomes of a guilty plea or conviction.
Sentencing guidelines are set out in Ohio laws based upon the type of crime committed and factors that may lead to a lesser or greater sentence. For example, a first-degree misdemeanor sentence can include jail time of not more than 180 days.
A criminal defense lawyer can also help you sort out whether a plea bargain is in your best interest. They will consider what sentence would be a likely outcome in the event of a guilty verdict and help you compare that possible outcome to the plea bargain being offered.
Probation may be a part of your sentence. Probation takes the place of some of your jail sentence, allowing you to stay out of jail if you meet certain requirements.
If you are sentenced to jail, the sentence may also specify when you can become eligible for parole. Parole allows you to end a jail sentence early if you can demonstrate that you are not a threat to society and have changed your ways. Unlike some states, Ohio’s sentencing laws require a determined amount of time to pass on a jail sentence before parole can be considered.
Expungement in Ohio
You may be wondering whether you can expunge, or seal from public view, a criminal conviction from your record. Ohio law allows for expungement of certain crimes if a court decides that it is appropriate. There are a number of reasons a conviction could be eligible for expungement, such as convictions of people who were victims of human trafficking.
Expunged convictions don’t necessarily disappear from records, though they should not be visible to members of the public. They may remain visible to law enforcement and other government officials.
How to Choose the Best Criminal Lawyer in Columbus, OH
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer can be stressful because you want to hire someone who will have your best interests at heart. These are some of the factors you should consider to find the best criminal lawyer in Columbus:
- Focus on criminal law. Not all criminal defense lawyers work exclusively on criminal law cases. It is important to work with a lawyer who has experience handling the type of charges you are facing. This experience will ensure your lawyer knows what you should expect and what types of plea deal arrangements would be worthwhile.
- Case results. It is not possible for a lawyer to promise you a specific result, but you can get an idea of their experience by looking at what they have achieved for other clients in similar circumstances. For example, if your case is likely to go to a jury trial, then you want to hire a lawyer that has experience presenting cases to a jury.
- Trust. Your lawyer will be representing you during a complicated and stressful time. It is important that you work with someone you are comfortable with and who can provide you with honest and accurate advice.
- Case management. Some criminal defense lawyers run their own practice and handle every detail themselves. Others work with a full law firm team and may delegate some tasks to other attorneys or legal support staff. Ask about how a lawyer will handle your case and make sure their approach to case management aligns with your expectations.
Columbus Criminal Defense Resources
These resources provide useful information for criminal cases in Columbus:
- Office of the Ohio Public Defender—general advice and assistance for defendants
- Franklin County Municipal Court Records—access to criminal record copies
- Ohio Legal Help—nonprofit providing free resources and links to attorneys
Methodology
To come up with the criminal defense lawyers in Columbus of 2023, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses and certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education and employment background
- Scholarly lectures and writings
- Awards and honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Ohio?
If you are eligible for a public defender assignment, then your costs could be low or nothing. However, you do not have control over who is assigned to your case and cannot choose your own lawyer.
Criminal defense lawyers in Ohio usually charge by the hour. Hourly fees can vary greatly depending on how complex your case is, but typically range from $150 to $400 per hour.
Some criminal cases, such as DUI/OVI charges, may be offered on a flat fee basis. The range for DUI/OVI cases typically falls between $1,500 and $5,000 for the whole case.
What are the four defenses a defendant can use in a criminal case?
To be convicted of criminal charges in Ohio, you must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Criminal defense lawyers usually argue one of these four defenses to create reasonable doubt in the minds of jury members: innocence, insanity/lack of mental capacity, violations of your rights and defense of yourself, others or your residence.
What counts as self-defense in Ohio?
Ohio law allows you to use force to defend yourself, another person, or your residence. The burden falls on the prosecution to prove you were not acting in one of these allowable forms of defense. Ohio also subscribes to the Stand Your Ground interpretation, meaning you are not required to retreat before resorting to the use of force.
