What to Do If You’re Arrested for a Crime in Ohio?
Charged with any crime and being convicted in Ohio, or anywhere else, is a matter of tarnished reputation. In the absence of proper legal defense, you might lose more than just reputation: you’ll have a criminal record, you might have to serve jail time, and you might have to pay hefty fines. So, no matter why you were arrested in the first place, always remember that you have the legal right to not answer any question that the arresting officer asks without having a lawyer by your side.
And speaking of lawyers, only the best criminal lawyers can protect your rights and suggest the route that should be taken in your case.
Several crimes give authorities the right to arrest a suspect. Some of those are as follows:
- Sexual assault.
- Theft.
- Break-in.
- Murder and homicide (these are first-degree felonies).
- Drug crimes.
- Illegal possession of weapons.
- Domestic violence.
- Breaking traffic rules.
Now, no matter which of these crimes you’re accused of, you need an aggressive skilled attorney to prepare a strong case to prove you innocent, if you’re indeed innocent. Otherwise, the lawyer will fight to get the punishment reduced and to reduce or remove jail time.
Bear in mind, charged with a crime in Toledo will always have ramifications. However, the right legal team might be able to offer relief in the following ways:
- Arranging preliminary hearing from a judge if you were falsely accused or framed for something you’ve not done.
- Launching a personal investigation to prove your innocence.
- Making negotiations to not impose jail time if yours is a case of misdemeanor, not a felony crime.
Now that you know why it’s important to hire an experienced attorney, you might also want to know how to find one because many attorneys in Ohio claim to be the best. If so, do keep the following factors in mind when picking a criminal defense lawyer so that you get the best defense.
Experience of the Lawyer Should be Your First Concern
There’s no point in hiring a criminal lawyer with no courtroom experience. Proceedings in the court can change course any minute. Hence, you need an attorney with years and decades of experience in handling any adversity that might suddenly erupt.
The Winning Record is Very Important
You don’t want a lawyer with decades of experience in losing cases. Hence, always consider how many cases the lawyer and the law firm you’re about to hire have won.
Do Consider the Persuasion Skills of the Attorney
If an attorney cannot convince you to take a certain approach, how will he/she persuade a judge to give the verdict in your favor?
Always Read the Testimonials
Last, there’s nobody better than a previous client who can describe what to expect from the lawyer you’re about to hire. Hence, never skip reading the testimonials.
All in all, your choice of a criminal lawyer will determine your future. Hence, choose one very carefully.