Ohio criminal defense attorneys have knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and decades of experience with the criminal justice process. Having someone with this type of skill and experience on your side can make a huge difference in the outcome of your criminal case, which is key when you face consequences that could range from probation to several years in prison — or more.
Having a criminal defense lawyer on your side after an arrest in Blue Ash is critical to getting the best possible outcome in your case.
The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. quickly goes to work for our clients and does not stop until the case is over. Our aggressive, skillful representation could help reduce the time you spend in jail and mitigate other impacts criminal charges could have on your life. Call our Blue Ash office today at 513-403-9699 to schedule a case analysis, and let us help you formulate a strong defense strategy.
What can I expect after a Blue Ash, OH, arrest for criminal charges?
There are several steps in the criminal justice process, from arrest to sentencing. These include:
Arrest & Arraignment
Most people accused of crimes spend several hours to several days in jail before their arraignment. This court appearance outlines the charges against you. In some cases, police may release you before your arraignment. In most cases, though, you will be able to post bail afterward. If you face serious felony charges, you will likely wait on your trial in jail.
Calling us before your arraignment allows us to get a jumpstart on your case. We can represent you at arraignment, ensuring you do not say anything to jeopardize your case. We will also have more time to prepare for the next step in the process: the preliminary hearing.
The Preliminary Hearing
If you do not call us before your arraignment, it is important to enlist our help before your preliminary hearing. This hearing typically occurs, depending on the type of case, within a few days to a couple weeks of your arrest. It gives us a chance to see the evidence against you and to present our own case to the judge. During the preliminary hearing, the judge decides if there is enough evidence against you to warrant continuing to trial.
Pre-trial Motions & Plea Agreements
Following the preliminary hearing, if the judge decides the case can continue, the case will be sent to the Grand Jury. If there is an indictment, it is time to build a strong defense. During this time, we may need to file or defend against a number of pre-trial motions. The prosecution may also offer a plea bargain. This agreement asks you to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for less serious penalties. We can discuss this possibility based on the specific details of your case.
The Trial & Sentencing
If we do not agree to a plea deal before the trial date, you will face a jury trial or a bench trial. During a jury trial, the prosecution presents its case against you while we employ our defense strategy. The jury then decides if it believes you committed the crime. If it finds you guilty, the judge can announce your sentence during the trial or set a sentencing hearing at a later date. This process is essentially the same in a bench trial except that in a trial to the judge, he/she alone makes the decision regarding guilt.
Why should I choose The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. for my case?
All law firms are not created equal. Some handle every type of law under the sun. The attorneys at The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. focus mainly on criminal defense which means that we have dedicated our careers to continually learning about criminal defense and honing our craft.
We also have decades of experience in criminal law. However, that experience is not just limited to this side of the courtroom. Two members of our firm worked as a prosecutor and a constable to a judge, which gives us a distinct advantage: we know how the other side operates.
While we have negotiated countless cases down to a lesser charge, we are not afraid to go to battle for you in the courtroom.
Our clients come first. We are not worried about our bottom line. We focus on winning cases for clients because we want to help people. That is why the members of our team do what we do. We care about you and your family and want to do everything we can to get you the best result.
Schedule your consultation today.
At The Farrish Law Firm L.P.A., our skilled criminal defense lawyers are ready to go to work fighting the charges against you. When you enlist our help as early as possible, we might be able to get the charges against you reduced or even dropped. Call our Blue Ash, OH, office at 513-403-9699 to schedule your case analysis and learn more about your legal options.