Few things are scarier than getting arrested and charged with a crime. If this happens to you, it’s important to make sure that your rights are protected and that you are able to assert a strong defense. Contact the skilled Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC for immediate legal assistance at (317) 759-2599.
Our team has decades of combined experience handling the most complex and challenging criminal matters in Indianapolis. Legal representation and a powerful defense can be the difference between time behind bars and getting the charges against you reduced, or even dropped altogether.
We work hard, aggressively defend our clients, and have a history of getting results. When you’re charged with a crime in Indianapolis, we’ll fight for you, too. We know your future depends on it.
We offer a free consultation, so do not hesitate to contact our Indianapolis law office to schedule yours today.
Table of Contents
You Deserve an Experienced Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer
Indiana has some of the toughest criminal laws in the country. Highly-skilled state prosecutors won’t hesitate to begin working on their case against you the moment you’re placed under arrest.
Hiring an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney can level the playing field and give you the best shot at securing a positive result. Here’s why you should call Suhre & Associates, LLC for help as soon as you can after your arrest.
We’ll Determine If You Were Arrested Lawfully
Did you know that the police have to have a legitimate reason to stop you or place you under arrest? Offices must have reasonable suspicion to believe that you’ve done something wrong. This involves much more than just a gut feeling or belief you’ve broken the law.
If an officer makes an arrest without having reasonable suspicion that’s supported by facts and the circumstances, we’ll challenge your arrest in court. If the arrest wasn’t lawful, the criminal charges against you cannot succeed.
We’ll Find Out If Your Rights Were Violated
The Constitution provides you with certain rights. Anyone working for the state – including police officers and prosecutors – have to respect those rights. If you were subject to an illegal search, detained without cause, not read your rights, or prohibited from calling your lawyer – our attorneys will fight to get the charges against you dropped. The state cannot be allowed to benefit from any violations of your Constitutional protections.
We’ll Make Sure Your Case is Investigated Thoroughly
You know that the state will investigate your alleged crime to uncover any evidence to support the prosecution’s case against you. The best way to protect yourself is to ensure that you benefit from an independent investigation of your own. Our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers will carefully and diligently investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest and reported crime. As part of this inquiry, we will:
- Comb through evidence secured from the state during discovery
- Review police reports, medical records, and any relevant documentation
- Analyze photographs and/or video footage that might exist
- Bring in experts to help us better understand some of the more complicated aspects of your case, and
- Interview witnesses and anyone who might be able to corroborate an alibi.
Our goal will be to gather exculpatory evidence to support your case and find any way to undermine the state’s case against you.
We’ll Bring In the Best Experts in Indianapolis
The state will rely on expert witnesses as they investigate, gather evidence, and develop its criminal case. Our team will make sure that you have experts working on your behalf, too. We’ll bring in whoever we think might be able to help with your defense, including:
- Medical professionals
- Mental health professionals
- Forensic experts
- Ballistics experts
- Computer and technology specialists
- Crime scene and/or accident reconstructionists, and more.
These professionals can review specific aspects of your case, provide critical information, and help us identify where the prosecution’s case might be weakest.
We’ll Fight to Delegitimize the State’s Case
It’s important to remember that the state has to prove that you are guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. To do that, they’ll have to present evidence to support their case. A critical part of your defense will involve attacking the validity and strength of whatever evidence the prosecution might have. If the state’s evidence is thrown out or questioned, prosecutors might have to seriously consider offering a plea or dropping the charges against you, altogether.
At Suhre & Associates, LLC, our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys know that your future is on the line if you’ve been accused of a crime. We’ll put our decades of combined experience to work for you and fight to secure the best possible outcome in your criminal case. Call our Indianapolis law offices today so that we can begin to build your defense.
We Handle All Criminal Defense Matters in Indianapolis
At Suhre & Associates, LLC, our experienced criminal defense attorneys are prepared to help you fight any and all criminal charges.
We’ll go above and beyond as we build your defense because we know your future depends on it. We handle all practice areas in Indianapolis, including:
- Assault
- DUI
- Domestic Violence
- Drug Offenses
- Expungement
- Federal Crimes
- Juvenile Crimes
- Murder
- Probation or Parole Violations
- Restraining Orders
- Sex Crimes
- Shoplifting
- Theft Crimes
- Weapons Charges, and more.
If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, do not hesitate to call our Indianapolis law offices for immediate assistance. We can meet you at our law offices or, if you’re in custody, we’ll come to you.
Should I Cooperate With the Police or State Prosecutors?
No. From the moment you’re placed under arrest, you should invoke your right to remain silent. That’s because the old saying is true – anything that you say can and will be used against you.
The police and prosecutors in Indianapolis will be listening to what you say very carefully. They’ll also go to great lengths to get you to talk and say something – anything – that could be incriminating. They won’t hesitate to use your own words against you in court.
The best rule of thumb is to tell the police that all communication must involve your lawyer. Make it clear that you’re not going to say anything unless your attorney is present. Even then, it’s best to let your criminal defense attorney do the talking. We know how to handle questions you might be asked and protect you from any tactics detectives or attorneys for the state might use.
Indianapolis Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Sex Crimes
Crimes involving allegations of sexual misconduct – including sexual assault and rape – are among the most serious in Indiana. Rest assured that the state will leave no stone unturned as they investigate the charges against you.
Many times, these cases lack hard physical evidence and boil down to “he said, she said” arguments. When this happens, it can be hard for the state to satisfy its burden of proof. Our Indianapolis sex crimes defense lawyers will vigorously defend you and do everything we can to disprove the allegations against you.
Drug Crimes
Indiana has a tough stance on drugs. The state essentially has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to buying, selling, possessing, or manufacturing drugs.
Unfortunately, the penalties for drug offenses rarely fit the crime. Even a minor possession conviction can devastate your future.
When the state investigates a drug offense, police officers have to stick to certain protocols and rules. Our Indianapolis drug crime defense lawyers will carefully review how the state has handled your case. If we find any evidence that your rights have been violated, we’ll use that to our advantage and fight to get your charges dismissed.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a big problem in Indiana. However, that doesn’t mean that allegations of domestic violence are always true. If you’ve been accused of hitting or abusing a family member, roommate, or intimate partner, you deserve every benefit of the doubt.
Our Indianapolis domestic violence defense lawyers will launch a thorough investigation into your alleged crime. We’ll interview witnesses, consult with experts, and work hard to uncover any evidence that may support your defense. Our ungiving, tenacious approach to your defense can help us undermine the state’s case and put you in the best position to secure a favorable result.
Federal Crimes
Some crimes – including certain drug offenses and fraud – are prosecuted at the federal level, rather than by the state of Indiana. This means that the laws and rules that will affect your case are different. The penalties also tend to be more severe.
If you’ve been charged with a federal offense, you deserve to work with an attorney who has experience navigating the federal criminal justice system. Contact our highly experienced Indianapolis federal crimes defense lawyers for immediate assistance.
Theft Crimes
Whether you’ve been accused of shoplifting or embezzling from your company, the consequences of a theft crime conviction can be very harsh. A simple mistake or misunderstanding can potentially cost you your future. The best thing you can do is turn to the experienced and skilled Indianapolis theft crime defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC for help fighting the charges.
Restraining Order
Courts in Indiana tend to issue restraining orders even when there’s not much evidence to support a request. Why? Judges feel that it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. However, this means that you may be wrongly implicated in a crime or wrongdoing. Your reputation shouldn’t have to suffer because someone else is holding a grudge.
If this has happened to you, our Indianapolis restraining order defense lawyers will challenge the legitimacy of the court order and fight to clear your name. While we do that, it’s important for you to comply. Ignoring a restraining order – even a temporary one based on little evidence – can have severe consequences of its own.
Expungement
Indiana has some of the toughest criminal laws in the country. However, it has some of the most liberal expungement laws, as well. Expungement means that you might be able to get your criminal conviction sealed and/or erased from your criminal record. That can have a huge impact as you move forward with your life. Hiring an attorney to handle your expungement case can make a massive difference. Let our Indianapolis expungement attorneys help you put your life back together.
DUI
A DUI isn’t just any other traffic violation. A drunk driving conviction can lead to jail time, fines, and even the loss of your license.
The stakes might be even higher if you’ve been arrested for DUI before. At Suhre & Associates, LLC, our Indianapolis DUI defense lawyers will carefully review your case, determine if the arresting officer deviated from standard procedure, and challenge any piece of evidence that might be unreliable. We’ll work hard to keep a DUI off of your record.
Crimes in Indiana Carry Tough Penalties
Whether you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges, a conviction can change your life forever.
What are the Penalties for a Misdemeanor in Indiana?
Even though crimes that are classified as misdemeanors tend to be less serious offenses than felonies, it’s still important to assert an aggressive defense. A misdemeanor conviction can be punishable by time in a Marion County jail, expensive fines, and/or probation. The penalties will ultimately depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the severity of the charge.
Class C Misdemeanor: A Class C Misdemeanor is the least serious criminal offense in Indiana, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Class B Misdemeanor: A Class B Misdemeanor carries the possibility of up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Class A Misdemeanor: A Class A Misdemeanor is the highest level misdemeanor in the state of Indiana. A conviction can result in a maximum of 12 months in a Marion County jail and $5,000 in fines.At Suhre & Associates, LLC, our attorneys will defend you against misdemeanor charges every step of the way. If this is your first offense, we’ll fight tirelessly to keep you out of jail and negotiate a plea that focuses on probation.
What are the Penalties for a Felony in Indiana?
Felony charges are reserved for crimes that tend to be violent and/or more serious. You may also face felony charges if you have one or more criminal convictions on your record. The possible consequences of a felony conviction can be quite harsh. All felonies in Indiana carry the possibility of years behind bars and up to $10,000 in criminal fines.
In Indiana, prison sentences include what’s known as an “advisory sentence.” This is a guideline that courts are allowed to – but not typically required – to follow when considering an appropriate term of imprisonment.
Level 6 Felony: A Level 6 Felony is the next step up from a Class A Misdemeanor. A conviction is punishable by between six months and 18 months in an Indiana State prison. The advisory sentence for a Level 6 Felony is one year.
Level 5 Felony: A Level 5 Felony is punishable by between one and six years in state prison. The advisory sentence for a Level 5 Felony is three years.
Level 4 Felony: A Level 4 Felony carries a sentence of between two and 12 years in prison. The advisory sentence for a Level 4 Felony is six years.
Level 3 Felony: A Level 3 Felony is punishable by anywhere between three and 16 years in prison. The advisory sentence is nine years.
Level 2 Felony: A Level 2 Felony is punishable by anywhere between 10 and 30 years in prison. The advisory sentence is 17 and a half years.
Level 1 Felony: Level 1 Felony charges are reserved for some of the most serious criminal offenses in Indiana. A conviction can result in imprisonment for between 20 and 40 years. The advisory sentence is 30 years.
Other crimes – including murder – have their own sentencing structures. This means that it’s possible to sentenced to time behind bars in excess of the 40-year maximum for a Level 1 Felony. It all depends on the charge, number of counts, aggravating factors, and your criminal record.
When faced with felony charges, a tenacious defense can make a huge difference. Contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC for help today.
Our Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help You Today
Have you or a loved one been arrested for a crime in Indianapolis, Indiana? It’s important to understand that a conviction can have immediate and long-lasting consequences that impact nearly every aspect of your life. The best way to stop this from happening is by turning to an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney for help.
We offer a free consultation, so do not hesitate to contact our Indianapolis law firm to schedule yours. We’ve been successfully representing defendants in central Indiana for nearly a decade. The sooner you reach out to us for help, the sooner we can begin to design your defense strategy. Call to get started today.
