Criminal Process

Attorneys Assisting Marysville Clients in Criminal Proceedings

If you are charged with any crime, whether it be a misdemeanor or felony, the criminal process is daunting and overwhelming. It is vital that you have the right counsel to help you defend yourself during all stages of proceedings. Marysville criminal defense attorneys at Beck Peistrup, LTD have assisted thousands of clients in navigating their defense to obtain successful outcomes. Our team strives to make sure our clients are kept informed, and remain comfortable, with how their cases are progressing. If you’ve been charged with a crime in Marysville, Bellefontaine, Dublin, Delaware, London, or elsewhere in Central Ohio, the lawyers at Beck Peistrup, LTD are ready and able to help you understand the criminal process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

After an arrest, the first step in the formal criminal process is booking, where the person being accused is taken to the police station. This is where fingerprinting and other personal information is recorded.

Arraignment

The first appearance after being charged with a criminal offense in Ohio is the “arraignment.” At the arraignment, a defendant is informed of their charges as well as what their constitutional rights are. This is also where a plea of ‘not guilty,’ ‘guilty,’ or ‘no contest’ is entered and bail is either set or denied. A ‘not guilty’ plea asserts that the defendant did not commit the crime they are being charged with and the allegations and facts are untrue. Entering ‘guilty’ plea admits to the facts and charges being alleged. A ‘No contest’ plea is entered when the accused asserts he did not commit the crime but also cannot provide enough evidence to beat the charge. Because of the importance in determining how and what plea to assert, it is advisable to consult legal counsel, if possible, before being arraigned in order to make sure you understand your rights.

Discovery and Plea Bargaining

After the arraignment, the prosecution must participate in ‘discovery,’ whereby they share any evidence with the defendant’s attorney that is to be used against them at trial. After the evidence is examined, the prosecution and defense may engage in plea bargaining. This back-and-forth between the parties is usually used to avoid a trial where the evidence against a defendant is overwhelmingly detrimental. Plea bargaining can allow a defendant to either plead guilty to a lesser charge, or portion of the charges; or if pleading guilty to the original charge, the prosecutor agrees to a more favorable sentence than would be sought at trial. A judge must then approve any sentence agreed upon. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney at Beck Peistrup, LTD can assess whether a plea bargain is appropriate under your circumstances.

Preliminary and Pre-Trial Hearings

For felony cases, defendants are entitled to a preliminary hearing, which occur within 10 days of the arraignment. This is where the judge will determine if the prosecution has presented enough evidence to show probable cause to proceed with the charges. If probable cause is not shown, the defendant is released. Pre-trial hearings can be ordered by a judge in either a felony or misdemeanor case. These hearings are usually in response to pre-trial motions made by either side, such as motions to suppress evidence.

Criminal Trial

After a defendant has been charged with a crime in Ohio, both U.S. and state constitutional law
require a trial be set within certain reasonable timeframes. This is to protect a defendant’s right to
due process. This time frame ranges from 30 days for minor misdemeanors to 270 days for more
serious felony trials. A defendant also gets to decide whether they want a bench trial, where a
judge decides, or a jury trial.

Marysville Criminal Defense Representation

Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, legal assistance is necessary when going through the criminal process. The experienced Marysville criminal defense lawyers at Beck Peistrup, LTD are ready to aggressively defend your case. Having a well-crafted and comprehensive defense plan is key to ensuring the best possible outcome for your criminal case, and that should start at the beginning of any proceedings. Our firm’s top priority making sure you have a partner throughout the entire legal process. you, as our client, feel as though you have a true partner throughout the legal process. If you have been charged with a crime anywhere in Central Ohio, including Marysville, Bellefontaine, Dublin, Delaware, and London, contact Beck Peistrup LTD today either online or at (937) 889-9999 to speak with an attorney who can help.