Were you recently arrested for a felony offense in Indianapolis, IN? These charges are the most serious in the state, and the consequences of a conviction could jeopardize your freedom. It’s critical that you act fast to understand your legal rights and options.
The Indianapolis felony lawyers with Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, have over 100 years of combined experience, and we’ve been able to help clients in all criminal matters including theft crimes, Indianapolis drug crimes, federal crimes, Indianapolis sex crimes, DUI cases, domestic violence and more.
You can put our track record of success on your side beginning today. We offer a free case evaluation to review your situation and offer legal advice. We’re available 24/7 to take your call. Contact us at (317) 759-2599 if you’re ready to get started.
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How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, Can Help if You’ve Been Charged With a Felony in Indianapolis
The penalties that the criminal justice system can impose for a felony conviction are severe enough on their own. Unfortunately, the consequences do not end there; a felony criminal record can negatively impact your life in many other ways. At the same time, there is likely still an opportunity for you to craft an effective defense and fight back against the prosecution.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our legal team includes former police officers and prosecutors. This means that we have inside knowledge of how the opposition likes to operate, and we use that insight on a daily basis to help our clients. We believe that everyone deserves effective legal representation, no matter the facts and circumstances of the case. If you hire our Indianapolis felony defense lawyers, we can do the following to help:
- Internally investigating your case as well as the prosecution’s evidence against you
- Ensuring your constitutional and statutory rights are protected at all times
- Negotiating to have your charges dismissed or reduced if possible
- Bringing your case all the way to trial if that’s in your best interest
If you’re ready to begin forming an attorney-client relationship, just reach out to our experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers today for a free consultation.
What Is Considered a Felony in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Broadly speaking, a felony is an offense with a potential penalty of more than one year in prison. This is the most serious type of criminal charge in terms of severity. Misdemeanor offenses are the less serious type and generally have a maximum penalty of one year in local jail.
In Indiana, there are six “levels” of felonies, which differ based on the seriousness of the underlying crime and the associated penalties. A Level 1 felony is the most serious, and a Level 6 felony is the least. Murder is an unclassified felony in Indiana and carries potential consequences that are more severe than a Level 1 felony.
Types of Felony Offenses Our Criminal Defense Law Firm Can Help You With
Because our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys have more than a century of combined experience, we’re confident that we can help with any type of felony case. The practice areas we’re adept at handling include, but are not limited to, the following;
- Drug crimes
- Weapons charges
- Sex crimes
- Federal offenses
- Aggravated battery
- Domestic violence
- Homicide
- White collar crimes
Were you charged with a felony listed above? Contact us today for a free case evaluation to speak with a qualified felony defense lawyer.
What Are the Penalties and Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Indianapolis?
The penalties associated with a felony conviction in Indianapolis depend on what “level” felony is involved in the case. These break down as follows:
Murder
There are three potential sentences for a murder conviction in Indiana: 45-55 years imprisonment, life sentence without parole, or the death penalty.
Level 1 Felony
The penalty for a Level 1 felony conviction is 20-40 years in prison, with an advisory sentence of 30 years. Examples of Level 1 felonies include aggravated rape involving deadly force or a weapon and drug dealing that causes a death.
Level 2 Felony
This level of felony carries a sentence of 10-30 years imprisonment, with an advisory sentence of 17.5 years. Examples include voluntary manslaughter and kidnapping for a ransom.
Level 3 Felony
If a person is convicted of a Level 3 felony in Indiana, they may be sentenced to between 3-16 years in prison (the advisory sentence is 9 years). Level 3 felony crimes include child molestation and aggravated battery.
Level 4 Felony
Level 4 felonies can result in a prison sentence of 2-12 years, and the advisory sentence is 6 years. Unlawful firearm possession is an example.
Level 5 Felony
The possible prison sentence for a Level 5 felony in Indiana is 1-6 years with a 3 year advisory sentence. Robbery without any injuries and involuntary manslaughter fall under this category.
Level 6 Felony
Level 6 felonies can result in a sentence of between 6 months to 2.5 years imprisonment, with a 1 year advisory sentence. Examples include vehicle theft as well as criminal stalking. Under certain conditions, a Level 6 felony may be reduced to a Class A misdemeanor instead.
Depending on the circumstances involved in the case, many of these offenses can be “upgraded” to a higher level felony.
Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction in Indianapolis
The penalties outlined above only refer to those enforced directly by the criminal justice system. However, there are collateral consequences that can also result from a felony conviction in Indianapolis. These include:
- Difficulty finding employment, education, or housing
- Loss of professional licenses and reputation
- Immigration issues, if applicable
Many of these consequences are caused by having a felony conviction on your criminal record. Because these overall penalties can impact your life so heavily, it is especially important to have a strong legal advocate who understands the law.
Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, today to learn more about how our Indianapolis felony defense attorneys can help.
What Defenses Can I Raise Against a Felony Charge in Indianapolis, IN?
There are many ways to defend against a felony charge in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution must prove every element of your offense “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This is the toughest burden of proof standard to meet. Possible defense include:
- The prosecution has failed to provide enough evidence in support of one or more elements of your felony charge
- You were acting in self-defense
- Your constitutional rights were violated, for example, during an illegal search and seizure
- You have an alibi for the alleged offense, or it was a case of mistaken identity
- You were coerced into committing the offense by another person
If you choose our trusted felony lawyers in Indianapolis, we’ll thoroughly evaluate your situation so that we arrive at the defenses best suited for your case. Each case is unique, and so the defenses generally must be as well.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Indianapolis Felony Attorney
There’s likely still time to defend your rights if you’ve been charged with a felony in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, time is of the essence; the sooner you reach out to an Indianapolis felony attorney, the better.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, is one of the most well-regarded criminal defense law firms in the area. If you choose us to represent you, you’ll be putting an award-winning legal team in your corner. We treat every case we take on with the utmost importance, dedicating the resources necessary toward forming a meaningful, comprehensive defense.
Call us today to schedule a free case review with one of our felony defense lawyers in Indianapolis.
Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Office in Indianapolis, IN
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers
101 W Ohio St #2000
Indianapolis IN 46204
317) 759-2599
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