Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The first consultation is free and confidential. We listen to what happened, explain where you stand, and tell you what your options are. There is no obligation to hire the firm afterward.

Call us. Our line is answered 24 hours. The most useful thing in the first hours is to avoid discussing the case with anyone but a lawyer, including over a recorded jail phone line. Write down what you know: where, when, and what was said. We will take it from there.

Speak with a lawyer first. It is natural to want to explain, but statements made without counsel can be used in ways you did not intend. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Use both. We can speak on your behalf once you have retained the firm.

Quickly. In Ohio, a DUI arrest can trigger an administrative license suspension with a short deadline to challenge it. Acting early is often what preserves the chance at limited driving privileges. If you have a DUI charge, call as soon as you can. See our DUI defense page for more.

Yes. Your contact with Harlan & Reeve Criminal Defense is confidential. We keep the consultation private, and we will not discuss the details of your matter by email. That is also why we ask you to keep any written request short and to leave the specifics for a call or an in-person meeting.

Correct. Being charged is not the same as being convicted. The state has to prove its case, and there are many points where a charge can be challenged: the stop, the search, the testing, the account, and the procedure. A defense exists to press exactly those points.

It depends on the charge and what the case involves. We will be clear and direct about the fee before you decide anything. The first consultation is free, so you can understand your situation and the cost before making any commitment.

We appear regularly in the Franklin, Delaware, and Fairfield County courts, and serve Columbus and central Ohio. If your matter is in a nearby county, call and ask. We often handle cases just outside our usual area.

No. Everyone is entitled to a defense, and good people end up in difficult situations. Our role is to understand what happened and defend you, not to judge you. The conversation is private and without judgment.