INDIANAPOLIS CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

A misdemeanor is considered a "minor crime" with a penalty that involves fines and incarceration for a year or less. Often, the incarceration is suspended and the person serves a period of time on probation. In Indiana, our State has 3 types of misdemeanors: Class A misdemeanors carry a possible penalty of 0-365 days in jail and a fine up to $5000; Class B misdemeanors carry a possible penalty of 0-180 days in jail and a fine up to $1000, and Class C misdemeanors carry a possible penalty of 0-60 days in jail and a fine up to $500.

Felonies are serious crimes which involve fines and incarceration in prison for more than a year. Whether time can be suspended or served in community corrections depends on the offense and many contributing factors. In Indiana, Felonies are categorized between Level 1 -6 in addition to Murder which has its own penalty levels. The lowest level felony is a level 6 felony. It carries a possible penalty between 6 months- 2.5 years and a fine up to $10,000. However, Courts may allow this charge to be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor if certain statutory requirements are met. Felony convictions can have multiple negative consequences beyond the sentence in the courtroom. Felons lose their right to carry firearms, may lose the ability to vote, may be denied for employment and could be denied housing.

Traffic Offenses are civil in nature and punishable by fines but not incarceration. Unfortunately, many people just pay the ticket without consulting an attorney. The adjudication of guilt on a person’s driving record could include points. Points are used by insurance companies to raise rates and by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to determine whether a person’s driving privileges should be suspended. Many jurisdictions offer diversion or deferral programs which allow drivers to avoid the adjudication so the BMV does not issue points.

The state of Indiana takes the charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (OVWI) or, driving under the influence, very seriously. Without a DUI attorney, you could face a variety of consequences, including a full license suspension.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to challenge your DUI charges and don't risk jail time or the suspension of your license. As your DUI lawyers we will help you navigate the path forward toward the best possible outcome.

Rates vary depending on the case. Make sure you understand how your attorney bills and what the scope of work is. Although it is not required, your attorney should have the agreement reduced to writing (preferably a fee agreement contract). Some attorneys bill as a flat fee. This means the attorney earns the same amount regardless of how many hours they work on your case. Other attorneys bill an hourly rate with a retainer paid upfront that the fees are subtracted from.

It is more important how an attorney bills than the amount they bill. For instance, an attorney charging $250/hour who bills for every little moment could be more expensive than an attorney charging $300/hour but they don’t charge for every call or they agree to write off some time. Criminal defense attorneys, unlike personal injury attorneys, are not ethically allowed to only charge if they win.

If you suspect you are being charged with a crime or if you are contacted by law enforcement, you should immediately hire an attorney before making a statement to anyone else.

The length of time depends on the facts of any given case. Most criminal cases are resolved within a year. In fact, under Criminal Rule 4, the State of Indiana has a duty to bring a case to trial within 1 year unless there was any delay (continuance, warrants, etc) caused by the Defendant.

The number one complaint about attorneys is not how much they charge but that you can’t get an answer from them when you want one. A good defense attorney is prompt in responding to his clients. He/she listens to their concerns and presents options. Finally, the lawyer should be knowledgable on the law and have experience in the courtroom where they practice.

Bring any papers or evidence that you believe is relevant to your case. If you plan to hire the attorney after the consultation, you should bring either cash, check, or credit card necessary to retain the lawyer.

An Indianapolis Defense attorney has a duty to properly represent his client to the best of his or her ability. In some cases, there may be a factual issue that needs to be properly investigated and presented at trial. In some cases, there may be evidentiary issues that can be argued to the court to prevent the State from proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If a case cannot be confidently defended, the attorney will attempt to mitigate the impact that the case has on their client’s life by seeking a reduced or compromised sentence.