“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney.” You may have heard of these lines in television or movies. The arresting law enforcement officer is required to inform you of these rights, commonly referred to as the Miranda rights.
Before you speak to the police, whether you are trying to protest your innocence or give a statement, it’s vital to take the Miranda warning to heart. Until you speak with an attorney, remain polite but say nothing. Doing so can help you avoid self-incrimination or giving the prosecution ammunition to use against you later on.
Franklin County Criminal Defense Attorneys
Criminal defense attorney Brian Joslyn understands how traumatic and stressful an arrest can be. As a victim of police brutality during an arrest when he was younger (for charges that were ultimately dropped), Brian Joslyn even understands how intimidating clearing your name can be.
However, hiring an attorney is never an indication of guilt, regardless of the circumstances of the arrest. People who are disoriented and confused are more likely to give conflicting or wrong information when they speak with law enforcement, something that can be used against them in court.
Founded by Brian Joslyn, Joslyn Law Firm is dedicated to defending the rights and futures of people charged with alleged crimes. Call (614) 444-1900 to discuss your legal options with Brian Joslyn. During your free, initial consultation you will learn more about the charges you face and the most appropriate defense strategies. Exercise your right to speak with an attorney as early as possible. Contact Joslyn Law Firm today to begin defending your future.
Skillfully Representing Clients in Franklin County’s Juvenile Court, Municipal Court, and Court of Common Pleas
Whether you find yourself facing a traffic violation, an ordinance violation, a misdemeanor, or a criminal charge in Franklin County, it’s important to understand that you are not alone. Even relatively minor charges can lead to harsh fines and penalties, as well as adverse social consequences. Prosecutors are motivated to convict and are not inclined to give defendants the benefit of the doubt or go easy on them when it comes to sentencing. In other words, the stakes are simply too high not to work closely with a dedicated Franklin County criminal defense attorney.
At Joslyn Law Firm, we put our clients first and are committed to skillfully defending their rights in the Franklin County Municipal Court, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, and the Franklin County Juvenile Court. In addition to Columbus, we represent clients in all of the following cities in Franklin County:
● Bexley
● Brice
● Dublin
● Gahanna
● Grandview Heights
● Grove City
● Groveport
● Harrisburg
● Hilliard
● Lockbourne
● Marble Cliff
● Minerva Park
● New Albany
● Obetz
● Reynoldsburg
● Riverlea
● Upper Arlington
● Urbancrest
● Westerville
● Whitehall
● Worthington
Whether you believe there is a warrant out there with your name on it, you are facing criminal charges, you’ve been issued a traffic citation or ordinance violation, or your child (or someone else who is close to you) is facing any of these charges, our resourceful legal team has years of experience in the Franklin County court system. The team is very familiar with how the courts are run and having close working relationships with the people on staff, which further provides you with high-quality legal representation.
Franklin County Criminal Courts Information Center
To help you better understand Franklin County’s criminal court system, we offer all of the following general information:
- Franklin County Overview and General Information
- Common Criminal Charges in Franklin County
- Penalties for Criminal Convictions in Franklin County
- Warrants in Franklin County
- Hiring a Franklin County Criminal Defense Attorney
- Franklin County Criminal Defense Q&As
- Franklin County Law Enforcement and Other Agencies
- Franklin County Resources
- Franklin County News
- Franklin County Court Locations and Contact Information
To learn more about your case specifically, please contact our office and receive the personal attention you need and deserve.
1) Franklin County Overview and General Information
Franklin County is named for the famed American statesman, inventor, and scientist, Benjamin Franklin. The county was established in 1803, and its estimated current population is 1,251,722. Franklin County houses the thriving city of Columbus, the state’s capital. Columbus boasts many beautiful neighborhoods, 19 inviting parks, more than 200 miles of trails, an acclaimed food scene, and the beloved Columbus Zoo.
As inviting as Franklin County and Columbus are, crime can be a problem, and crime rate statistics from 2018 back this up. Consider the following:
● Columbus’s crime rate is 1.4 times higher than the national average and is higher than the rate in a bit more than 90 percent of other U.S. towns and cities.
● In 2018, the city’s crime rate was 10 percent lower than it was in 2017.
● The homicide rate (per 100,000) in 2018 was 99, which is down from 142 in 2017.
● In 2018, the rate (per 100,000) of rapes was 820, of robberies was 1,922, of burglaries was 6,271, of thefts was 21,323, of car thefts was 3,918, and of assaults was 1,575. All of these numbers (except for assaults) are above the national average.
● Overall, Columbus has experienced a decrease in both violent crimes and property crimes since 2014.
Crime occurs regularly in Franklin County, and when criminal charges are brought, they’re heard in one of three courts, including:
● When juveniles are charged as juveniles (and not as adults), their cases are tried in the Franklin County Juvenile Court.
● When defendants face charges of traffic violations, ordinance violations, or misdemeanor criminal offenses, their cases are tried in the Franklin County Municipal Court.
● When defendants (including those juveniles who are charged as adults) face felony charges, their cases are tried in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Regardless of which court you or your child’s case will be heard in, you need skilled legal counsel with extensive experience successfully representing clients in that Franklin County courtroom with that judge.
2) Common Criminal Charges in Franklin County
Ohio has comprehensive laws on the books related to traffic offenses, ordinance violations, and felonies. They can all lead to serious charges that beget serious fines and penalties upon conviction. Franklin County, as well as cities within Franklin County, have their own rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Juvenile Court
Juveniles can face all of the charges that adults in Franklin County can, but they tend to face specific kinds of charges that are generally heard in juvenile court, including:
● Underage alcohol consumption
● Underage alcohol possession
● Habitual truancy
● Disorderly conduct
● Vandalism
● Possession of or use of a fake ID
● The operation of a vehicle without a driver’s license
● Underage operation of a vehicle while impaired (OVI)
● Drug possession, distribution, sale, or cultivation
● Theft
● Assault
● Domestic Assault
● Sexting
● Gross sexual imposition
● Rape and sexual assault
● Probation violations
When juveniles are charged with especially serious crimes, they can be charged as adults, and their cases are then transferred to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Regardless of the charges your child is facing, however, working closely with an experienced and compassionate Franklin County criminal defense attorney is imperative. The consequences of a conviction can reverberate throughout your child’s future so dramatically that the matter is simply too serious to proceed without formidable legal representation.
Municipal Court
When the charge you face is an ordinance or traffic violation or almost any misdemeanor, your case will be heard in the Franklin County Municipal Court. Specific examples of such charges include:
● Made a false alarm or report
● Failed to report a crime, injury, or knowledge of a death
● Failed to aid a law enforcement officer
● Disturbed a lawful meeting
● Obstructed official business or obstructed justice
● Created noxious and offensive odors
● Violated a noise ordinance
● Created a weed or landscape nuisance
● Hunted animals within city limits
● Failed to control an animal
● Abandoned an animal
● Operated a charity raffle or bingo game in violation of existing regulations
● Engaged in gambling, public gaming, cheating, or violating other gaming ordinances
● Discharged a weapon within city limits
While such charges may seem relatively minor, they can lead to both costly fines and heavy social consequences that can seriously affect your future. You are well-advised to bring your most robust defense.
Traffic Offenses
Traffic offenses top the docket at the Franklin County Municipal Court. There are wide-ranging traffic rules and regulations, and motorists are responsible for adhering to all of them. The charges and subsequent fines and penalties for violations can be quite serious. While traffic infractions result in fines only, more serious traffic charges can end in time behind bars, steep fines, license suspension, or probation. Some of the most common traffic offenses include:
● Speeding
● Following too closely
● Drag racing
● Failing to yield the right-of-way
● Failing to yield to pedestrians
● Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light
● Violating a one-way traffic directive
● Making illegal turns
● Passing improperly
● Obstructing an intersection
● Crossing a divided highway
● Crossing a yellow line
● Passing a stopped school bus
● Violating a registration, tag, sticker, or title ordinance
● Violating an equipment ordinance (headlights, taillights, license plate lights, etc.)
● Driving with an obstructed view
● Driving with headphones
More serious traffic offenses can rise to misdemeanor status. These are also heard at the Franklin County Municipal Court and can include: