People across the Columbus area, from Downtown and German Village to Clintonville, Dublin, and Westerville, call McNamee Defense when a charge carries prison time. Our felony criminal defense lawyer in Columbus defends cases from drug charges to homicide.
What Should You Do If You or a Loved One Is Arrested in Columbus?
The first choices after an arrest significantly impact your entire case. Start with these steps:
- Stay silent with the Columbus Division of Police detectives
- Call our attorney before your Franklin County arraignment
- Ask about stopping the case before a grand jury votes
Bond is argued at the first hearing. The judge should hear about your job, family, and record before setting bail.
How Do Felony Cases Proceed in Franklin County Courts?
A felony case in Franklin County passes through two courts before trial. The steps happen in a set order.
Arraignments and Preliminary Hearings
A felony arraignment in Franklin County is your first court appearance. It starts at the Municipal Court, where a judge sets bond.
You are entitled to a preliminary hearing, where a judge checks whether there is enough evidence to go on, within 10 days if you are jailed and 15 if you are out. Prosecutors often skip it by going straight to the grand jury.
Grand Jury Indictments and Trials
A grand jury indictment sends the case to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Nine grand jurors meet in private, and seven must agree to indict.
Local Knowledge Matters
The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office has its own charging and plea practices. Knowing them helps our attorney judge when reducing felony charges is realistic.
Ohio Felony Charges and Potential Sentencing
Ohio ranks felonies from first degree, the most serious, to fifth degree. Each level has its own prison range and fine:
- First degree: Aggravated burglary, 3 to 11 years, $20,000 fine.
- Second degree: Burglary of an occupied home, 2 to 8 years, $15,000 fine.
- Third degree: Tampering with evidence, 9 to 36 months, $10,000 fine.
- Fourth degree: Vehicle theft, 6 to 18 months, $5,000 fine.
- Fifth degree: Breaking and entering, 6 to 12 months, $2,500 fine.
All fines shown are maximums. Under Ohio Revised Code 2929.14, the prison ranges for the top two levels are minimum terms. First- and second-degree felonies cannot be sealed, while many lower-degree felonies become eligible for expungement later.
Strategies for Disputing Serious Felony Allegations
A defense is built from the facts of the arrest. Our Columbus felony defense attorney may:
- Challenge unlawful searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment
- Suppress coerced statements, faulty eyewitness IDs, or mishandled lab tests
- Seek prosecutor diversion or the court’s TIES drug docket or RISE mental health docket
Diversion is limited to some first-time, non-violent felonies. Which option fits depends on the charge and your record.
Why Hire McNamee Defense for a Felony Charge in Columbus?
You can expect compassionate, judgment-free, and efficient defense from our attorney, Colin McNamee. Our case results include a dismissal for a Franklin County client who faced more than 25 years on a fentanyl trafficking charge. Earlier wins do not promise the same ending in a new case.
Arrested in Franklin County? Call McNamee Defense Today
A grand jury can vote on your case without hearing your side. Our felony criminal defense lawyer in Columbus would rather be involved before that vote. Dial McNamee Defense at (614) 782-8889 or reach out online today. The first meeting costs you nothing.