A gun charge in Columbus can escalate quickly, even if no one is harmed or hurt. Your Columbus gun crime lawyer from Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has been recognized in the Top 1% of Best Lawyers in America, with over 30 years of experience and 300 five–star reviews.
Call a Columbus criminal defense lawyer from our team today to start dismantling the case against you with proven strategies that work in Franklin County.
When Gun Possession Becomes a Crime in Columbus
Carrying a firearm legally can turn into a criminal charge faster than most people realize. In Ohio, where you are, how the gun is stored, and what you are doing at the time all matter. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2923.122, even lawful gun owners can face felony charges if a weapon is found in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Firearms Found in Vehicles Near School Zones
Having a firearm in your car near a school can land you in serious legal trouble, even if you were not planning to set foot on the property. Ohio law treats school safety zones differently, and simply having a gun in your glovebox while picking up your child or dropping someone off can lead to charges. It does not always matter that the gun was legally owned or properly stored.
We often see this happen when someone forgets the weapon is in the vehicle or assumes that having a concealed carry permit protects them in all places. The law is strict near schools and government buildings, and that small oversight can quickly turn into a felony case. We help clients show the court the full context and fight for outcomes that reflect the facts, not just the charge.
Guns Discovered During Routine Police Stops
Sometimes it starts with something small, such as rolling through a stop sign or a broken taillight. The next thing you know, the officer is asking to search the car, and a legally owned firearm becomes the focus of the stop. In some cases, the traffic violation turns into a gun charge based on how the weapon was stored or whether it was immediately disclosed.
We challenge these cases by starting at the stop itself. If it was a warrantless search during a traffic stop, we will fight to have the charge dismissed. When that happens, we also help you take the next step by sealing the dismissed charge from your record so it does not continue to affect your future.
For a free legal consultation with a gun crime lawyer serving Columbus, call (614) 884-1100
Defense Strategies We Use in Gun Crime Cases
Every gun charge comes with its own facts, context, and challenges. That is why a real defense starts with listening carefully, looking at what the state can prove, and figuring out where things do not add up. We take the time to understand the prosecution’s approach so we can meet it with a strategy that fits your case. Here are some of the defense strategies we may use in firearm-related cases:
- Illegal traffic stops or vehicle searches
- Violations of Miranda rights
- Evidence suppression motions
- Self-defense arguments
- Proving a lack of knowledge or intent
- Challenging constructive possession claims
- Speedy trial demands under Ohio Rev. Code § 2945.73
- Chain of custody issues with seized weapons
- Mistaken identity or witness credibility challenges
- Improper police questioning
- Lack of probable cause for search or arrest
- Mistakes in the firearm’s classification
- Procedural errors during indictment or arraignment
We pay close attention to constitutional violations that can shift the direction of your case. Whether that means filing a motion to suppress evidence or using character witnesses to support your version of events, we come prepared. When charges are dismissed or dropped, your Columbus gun rights restoration lawyer can also help you take the next step to clear your record and protect your future.
Columbus Gun Crime Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
How Gun Charges Are Handled in Franklin County Courtrooms
In Franklin County, we see clear patterns in how gun cases are charged, reviewed, and prosecuted. Local prosecutors often approach these cases with intensity. When a case gets media attention or ties into a history of alleged violence, prosecutors may file more aggressively and try to stack charges. Our job is to be ready for that and meet their strategy with one of our own.
Tying Firearm Possession to Prior Protective Orders
If there is an active or recent protection order on your record, prosecutors may use that to file additional charges or increase the severity of the case. In some situations, just being in possession of a firearm while a protection order is in place can lead to a separate felony. This can happen even if the order was temporary or expired shortly after the arrest.
Your Columbus protection order defense lawyer with Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt will look closely at how the order was filed, when it went into effect, and whether it should have applied at the time of your arrest. We also examine whether the other party ever requested an extension or if due process was followed when the original order was issued.
Charging Multiple Gun Offenses From a Single Incident
It is not unusual for a single traffic stop or arrest to result in multiple gun-related charges. Your Columbus gun crime attorney has seen cases where one incident leads to counts for improper transport, concealed carry violations, and even brandishing or inducing panic. Suddenly, a case that started with one accusation turns into three or four stacked charges that increase the pressure to accept a plea.
We break these charges down individually. That means challenging whether the transport was truly improper, questioning how the weapon was found, and reviewing whether the conduct actually meets the legal definition of each offense. By isolating the counts and showing where they do not hold up, we work to reduce sentencing exposure and eliminate charges that never should have been filed in the first place.
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Get Advice From a Gun Crime Lawyer in Columbus Who Knows the Pressure You Are Under
Your gun crime attorney in Columbus with Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt will examine every charge, fact, and potential procedural flaw to build your defense.
We know how Franklin County prosecutors think and what it takes to challenge their assumptions in court. Contact us now to get answers before your case moves forward without the right protection in place.
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