Criminal Defense (Indiana Only)

Indiana deputy prosecutors vigorously prosecute both serious and minor crimes. It doesn’t matter if you are wrongly accused or simply made a mistake – the prosecutor will be focused on securing a conviction. It is best to not try and talk your way out of the situation for two reasons:

1. Whatever you say can and will be used against you in court.
2. The prosecutor and police are going to be looking at your statement from their point of view and not yours. This often results in what may seem like good statements from you being turned against you.  You have a right to remain silent—use that right.

Why do I need a criminal defense attorney?

It is the role of a criminal defense attorney to analyze the evidence, evaluate the potential outcomes, and use every tool in his or her arsenal to advocate for you. Your criminal defense lawyer is on your side. By choosing the right defense attorney, you can present an intelligent defense, fight to maintain your innocence, negotiate with the prosecutor, and/or make arguments about constitutional violations that may have happened during your encounter with law enforcement.

Crimes in Indiana are divided into misdemeanors and felonies, and these groupings are further broken up into classes. The potential sentencing range is dictated by whether the crime is a misdemeanor or felony and what class it falls under.  Criminal convictions stay on your record permanently, and they can come back to haunt you even years later. Past offenders routinely miss out on job opportunities because of mistakes they made years or decades ago.  You may be to expunge certain offenses and a criminal defense attorney can help you with the same as well as helping present a defense.

What types of sentence can I face?

The maximum sentences, mandatory minimums, and sentencing ranges are all outlined in the Indiana Code. However, judges oftentimes have discretion to impose other alternative and creative sentences. These include reduced county jail or state prison sentences. In addition, there are other penalties that do not involve jail time. These include:

• Probation: Probation is supervision in lieu of jail. You must follow the rules and regulations set by the judge and your probation officer. These may include fines and fees, drug testing, home visits, maintaining employment, weekly meetings, drug or alcohol treatment, community service, no contact orders, and counseling or therapy. If you successfully complete probation, your case will be closed. However, if you fail, you can be sent to jail for violating the judge’s order.
• Alternative sentences:Judges, especially with misdemeanors, can get creative with sentences. These sentences can be similar to probation without the oversight of a probation officer. For example, you could be ordered to complete community service, pay a fine, or have you license suspended or subject to special requirements like an ignition interlock.
• Community Corrections sentences:Some crimes allow for the possibility to serve your executed time in the county community corrections programs. These programs include work release and home detention. You are able to earn the same jail credit serving these sentences as you would in prison or in a jail.

If you are facing criminal charges, please contact us to discuss your matter.  We don’t charge for phone consultations and our fees are usually very competitive and reasonable.