Indianapolis Rape Defense Lawyer

Are you facing criminal rape charges in Indianapolis, Indiana? The time to begin mounting a defense begins now. The experienced Indianapolis rape defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC can help.

Contact our law office at (317) 759-2599 to arrange a free consultation to learn more today.

How Suhre & Associates, LLC Can Help If You’re Facing Criminal Rape Charges in Indianapolis, IN

At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we have a long and proud history of standing up for the people of Indianapolis when state prosecutors accuse them of committing crimes. Over the years, our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys have helped clients fight back against serious sex crime charges – achieving a plethora of favorable verdicts in the process.

When you reach out to our law firm and ask us to defend you against your Indiana rape charge, we will:

  • Fight to secure you a reasonable bond
  • Help you understand the Indiana judicial process
  • Offer you astute legal advice and guidance as needed
  • Conduct an independent investigation into the state’s allegations
  • Prevent the prosecution from violating your constitutional rights
  • Search for evidence that may prove your innocence
  • Provide you with an overview of your possible defense strategies
  • Negotiate a plea bargain deal with the prosecuting attorney
  • Argue on your behalf in criminal court, if necessary

Are you ready to have our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys fight for you? Call us to arrange a free consultation. We know what it takes to secure favorable outcomes in cases like yours, and we are prepared to work tirelessly on your behalf.

Understanding Indiana’s Laws Against Rape

When law enforcement officers in Indianapolis suspect a person of having sexual intercourse with another individual against their will, they generally charge them with one of the following offenses:

Rape

Section 35-42-4-1 of the Indiana Code states that it is illegal for a person to engage in sexual intercourse with another individual, or require another individual to engage in sexual conduct when:

  • They compel the other individual to partake through the use of force of the imminent threat of force
  • The other individual is not aware that the sexual intercourse or sexual conduct is occurring
  • The other individual has a mental deficiency that prevents them from providing consent

When law enforcement officers catch people violating this statute, they may arrest them and charge them with rape.

In most cases, Indiana classifies rape as a Level 3 felony. However, the state may choose to upgrade it to a Level 1 felony if:

  • The offender uses or threatens to use deadly force
  • The offender carries or brandishes a deadly weapon
  • The crime results in serious bodily injury to an individual other than the offender

Prosecutors in Indiana may also categorize rape as a Level 1 felony if the offender gives the victim a controlled substance without their knowledge.

Statutory Rape

Section 35-42-4-9 of the Indiana Code states that it is illegal for a person who is at least 18 years of age to take part in sexual intercourse or sexual conduct with a child who is between the ages of 14 and 16.

People who violate this Indiana law are guilty of statutory rape (or sexual misconduct with a minor). 

The state generally punishes sex crimes of this nature as Level 5 felonies. However, it may choose to classify it as a Level 4 felony if the offender is at least 21 years of age.

Indiana prosecutors can treat statutory rape as a Level 1 felony when:

  • The offender uses or threatens to use deadly force
  • The offender carries or brandishes a deadly weapon
  • The crime results in serious bodily injury to an individual other than the offender
  • The offender gives the victim a controlled substance without their knowledge

At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we are well-versed in all aspects of state and federal sex crime legislation. So, if an Indiana prosecutor arrested you on suspicion of committing one of these sex offenses, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys might be able to get your criminal charge dismissed or reduced.

Consequences of Rape Convictions in the State of Indiana

When the state of Indiana convicts someone of a crime like rape, it doles out some substantial fines and prison sentences. To determine the exact nature of a person’s sentence, judges consult the following guidelines:

  • Level 1 Felonies: Between 20 and 40 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Level 2 Felonies: Between 10 and 30 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Level 3 Felonies: Between 3 and 16 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Level 4 Felonies: Between 2 and 12 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
  • Level 5 Felonies: Between 12 and 72 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Of course, the negative consequences of a rape conviction do not end at a fine and a term of imprisonment. The state of Indiana also requires any person who commits a crime of this nature to register as a sex offender.

Convicts usually remain on the sex offender registry for at least ten years. However, under certain circumstances, the state can require them to stay in the system for the rest of their lives.

During their time on the registry, convicted sex offenders must generally adhere to rules and restrictions like:

  • Notification Requirements: In Indiana, sex offenders usually have to inform their housemates and family members about their status.
  • Residency Restrictions: Sex offenders in the state of Indiana almost always have to live at least 1,000 feet from schools and more than a mile from the victim of their crime.
  • Relationship Restrictions: Indiana law forbids sex offenders from engaging in relationships with people who have minor children.
  • Employment Restrictions: Sex offenders do not typically have the right to work with kids or vulnerable adults.
  • Alcohol Restrictions: Registered sex offenders in Indiana cannot consume alcohol.
  • Internet Monitoring: Registered sex offenders in Indianapolis must install monitoring software on all their internet-connected devices.
  • Website Restrictions: The state of Indiana forbids sex offenders from visiting websites that are regularly used by minors.
  • Social Media Restrictions: Registered sex offenders do not have the right to message minors on social media apps.
  • Computer Searches: Law enforcement officers have the right to search the computers of registered sex offenders at any time.

Their status as a registered sex offender also causes convicted rapists to experience a wide variety of collateral consequences, like:

  • Issues finding gainful employment
  • Loss of professional licensing
  • Trouble finding a place to live
  • Child custody problems

Are you facing a sex crime charge in Central Indiana? Then please do not hesitate to get in touch with the knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC. We might be able to help you avoid spending time in prison or being forced to register as a sex offender.

Defenses Against Indiana Rape Charges

When Indianapolis residents get charged with rape, they often think that it is just a matter of time before the prosecution convicts them and sends them to prison. In reality, however, they can frequently get their charges dismissed or reduced by using one of the following defenses:

To convict an individual of rape, the state must show that they had sexual intercourse with the victim against their will. So, if a defense attorney can prove that their client had the victim’s consent, they may be able to have their charges thrown out.

Innocence

Quite often, the best way to convince a judge to dismiss a rape charge is to prove that the arrestee could not have committed the crime. To do so, lawyers must generally provide the court with evidence that their client was elsewhere or with another person at the time the crime occurred.

Lack of Evidence

To convict someone of any crime in the United States, prosecutors must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Lawyers who argue that the state has failed to meet its evidentiary burden regularly secure not guilty verdicts on behalf of their clients.

Do you need an experienced lawyer to put together an effective defense strategy for you? If so, please pick up your phone and call the legal team at Suhre & Associates, LLC, at your earliest convenience. Having handled countless cases like yours in the past, we know which approaches work and which ones do not.

An Indianapolis Sex Crimes Law Firm You Can Count On

When the people of Indianapolis need an attorney to help them fight back against criminal charges of rape, sexual assault, or child molestation, they know they can always rely on Suhre & Associates, LLC. We have the legal experience and statutory knowledge necessary to take on just about any case. If you would like to have us stand up for you, all you have to do is give us a call or contact us online.

Our Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law firm also provides: