Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyers
Indiana is perhaps best known for the University of Indiana and its famed basketball program. However, it is also home of the Indianapolis Colts, the Indy500 and other marquee sports teams and events. If you are visiting from another part of the country, you’ll always want to check out the Indianapolis Zoo or one of the many state parks within Indiana’s borders. Of course, if you misbehave while at one of the state’s many attractions, you may receive a guided tour of one of the state’s jails.
Steps to Take After Being Charged with a Crime
During any interaction with police or state authorities, it is generally in your best interest to say as little as possible. Although staying quiet may result in being taken into custody or receiving a summons to appear in court, it may reduce your risk of actually being convicted of a criminal offense.
It is also a good idea to contact an Indiana criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. Doing so provides you with someone who may interact with the government on your behalf throughout the legal process. This may minimize the risk that you say or do anything that might undermine your legal position or inadvertently expand the scope of the government’s investigation into your actions.
Simply asking for an attorney can be advantageous because questioning must cease until counsel can be present. This will give you time to collect your thoughts and start thinking from a strategic standpoint as opposed to allowing your emotions to make decisions for you. An attorney will also likely be able to help you sidestep any questions that may be inappropriate or put an end to an interrogation if it’s not being done properly.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney
& Former District Attorney
Local Counsel
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Linda Julin McNamara
Former Chief, DOJ Appeals
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Kevin M. Sheridan
Former Special Agent (FBI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Dennis A. Wichern
Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)
Other Potential Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
There are two key intangibles that an Indiana criminal defense attorney provides that can have a positive impact on your case. First, a legal representative is able to view the case from an objective point of view. This means that your advocate can take a more measured approach that is based on facts and logic as opposed to fear, anxiety, or other negative emotions that may cloud your judgment.
Taking the more measured approach may make it possible to spot flaws in the government’s case against you. You may also be less likely to lash out on social media or take other actions because you are scared of what might happen to you. While venting may make you feel better in the short-term, it may ultimately harm you in the long run if it provides a prosecutor with evidence that you are a menace to yourself or to society.
The other key intangible an attorney may provide is the respect that authorities will have for that person. This may be especially true if you hire an attorney from The Criminal Law Defense Firm as we have a roster of former federal prosecutors and federal agents. Having the respect of a judge or prosecutor may result in favorable rulings during a pretrial hearing or during a trial itself.
You may also stand a better chance of having a charge dropped or reduced through a plea deal. This is because a prosecutor knows that your advocate has a good idea of the strength of the case against you and won’t hesitate to use any flaws as leverage to obtain the best possible outcome in the matter.
The Types of Cases Our Firm May Help With
Our firm will take on almost any type of criminal case that the state chooses to pursue. Assault and battery, murder, and drunk driving cases are among the most common or severe that state authorities deal with. However, cases involving theft, arson, or financial crimes may also be prosecuted at the state level.
It’s worth noting that any crimes committed using a computer or that involve taking items across state lines may fall under federal jurisdiction. It’s also possible that you will face both federal and state charges at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at the charges you might face and how we may be able to help defend against them.
Assault and Battery
Although they may be used interchangeably, assault and battery are not the same thing. Assault usually means that you have put someone in imminent fear of harm. Battery means that you have intentionally made contact with someone without their consent. Either charge may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the exact circumstances of the case.
Murder
Murder is the act of taking another person’s life either intentionally or unintentionally. You may also be charged with a crime if you tried to end someone’s life or took actions that you should have known could have resulted in a victim’s death.
Drunk Driving
You are legally drunk if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is above .08%. However, you can be charged with drunk or impaired driving regardless of your BAC if you show other signs of impairment such as slurred speech or trouble standing. Those under the age of 21 are not allowed to possess or consume alcohol or drive after consuming any amount of alcohol.
How We May Defend Against Criminal Charges
There are a number of steps that we might take to defend against a criminal charge. For instance, we may assert that there was no intent to commit a crime or that you took action to prevent greater harm from occurring. We may also argue that there were problems with chemical tests administered during a traffic stop or issues related to a traffic stop that resulted in criminal charges. Finally, it may be possible to claim that your Fourth Amendment rights were violated in some other way prior to being taken into custody or charged with a crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about attorney-client privilege?
Attorney-client privilege almost always exists whenever you are talking to an attorney even if you haven’t hired that person yet. For instance, anything that you say during an initial consultation is usually considered confidential because you’re talking to someone who may become your lawyer in the future. It’s also worth noting that anything that you say to an attorney after retaining that person’s services usually remains confidential even after your case comes to an end.
Can I use electronic devices during an investigation?
Unless a judge says that you are forbidden to use a phone, computer, or other devices, you can continue to do so for personal, business, or other lawful purposes. However, it’s possible that the government will keep track of your online activity or otherwise keep tabs of how you use your phone or laptop. Therefore, it may be worthwhile to be careful about what you say on social media, what sites you visit, or what you save to a given piece of equipment.
What types of penalties might I face if convicted?
Penalties associated with a misdemeanor charge might include probation, a fine, or community service. You may also spend up to 12 months in jail if convicted for the most serious misdemeanors. If you’re convicted of a financial crime, you may be ordered to pay restitution to your victims. In the event that you’re found guilty of a felony, you may spend years or decades in prison in addition to paying a fine. There is also a chance that you’ll be placed on probation or supervised release after leaving jail or prison.
Who represents me as my case proceeds?
One of the advantages that you’ll have working with our firm is that you will always be represented by a senior associate as opposed to a junior associate who just passed the bar exam. Furthermore, the person assigned to your case is the one who will answer any emails you send, talk to you on the phone, or otherwise be there for you outside of court.
Contact Us Today
If you are looking for an Indiana criminal defense attorney, feel free to contact The Criminal Defense Firm at our national hotline at 866-603-4540 or reach out using our contact form.