Fishers Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer
When facing criminal charges in Fishers or Indianapolis, you need an experienced Fishers Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who understands Indiana’s legal system and will fight tirelessly to protect your legal rights. At Zentz Law, our attorney, Matthew Zentz, and our criminal defense team, have dedicated their entire careers to providing exceptional legal representation to clients throughout Hamilton County and Marion County.
Matthew is an active member of the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar. His supportive, empathetic, and collaborative approach ensures that he defends his clients’ best interests while navigating the complex criminal justice process.
When you need to hire a Fishers criminal defense lawyer, contact us for a free consultation at 317-220-6056.
Areas of Criminal Defense Law We Handle
Our criminal defense law practice covers a wide range of criminal offenses and criminal cases. Our attorney provides legal representation for clients facing various criminal charges, from misdemeanor violations to serious felony accusations.
Our experienced criminal defense lawyer handles everything from domestic violence cases, drug offenses, and domestic battery charges. As a criminal defense lawyer, Matthew represents clients facing criminal charges in court proceedings in Fishers, Indiana, and the surrounding counties. He works diligently to build strong defense strategies for each case.
Please note that these are not the only areas of criminal defense law we handle. Contact us to discuss your specific legal situation with our criminal defense attorney.
Theft Charges
Theft charges in Indiana carry severe penalties that can impact your future employment, housing, and reputation. Our criminal defense attorney understands the nuances of Indiana criminal defense law, and believes in supporting his clients’ rights. That’s why our attorney examines all the evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. We work to defend our clients from the serious consequences of theft convictions.
Property Crimes
Property crime encompasses a broad range of criminal offenses, including vandalism, burglary, and criminal mischief. These charges often involve detailed evidence analysis and witness testimony that our criminal defense team knows how to challenge effectively.
Our lawyer defends clients against accusations by developing comprehensive defense strategies tailored to each unique situation. Our goal is to defend your legal rights while working toward the most favorable resolution possible under Indiana criminal law.
Battery Charges
Battery charges can result in jail time, fines, and long-term consequences for your personal and professional life. Our experienced criminal lawyer defends clients against battery accusations in court. Our team will thoroughly investigate each case, interview witnesses, and challenge the evidence presented by prosecutors. Our attorney’s strong defense approach focuses on safeguarding clients’ futures while ensuring they receive fair treatment throughout the legal process.
Indiana Theft Crime Laws
Indiana’s theft crime laws are complex, and they carry varying penalties depending on the value of the allegedly stolen property and the defendant’s criminal history. Under Indiana law, theft can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, with penalties ranging from community service to significant prison time.
Property valued under $750 typically results in misdemeanor charges, while higher values or aggravating factors can lead to felony charges.
Our criminal defense attorney stays current with changes to Indiana criminal law to provide the most effective legal representation. We understand how prosecutors approach these criminal cases and develop defense strategies accordingly.
Types of Theft Offenses
Indiana recognizes several types of theft offenses, each with distinct legal elements and potential penalties.
Common theft charges include:
- Shoplifting
- Receiving stolen property
- Auto theft
- Conversion of property belonging to another person
Each type of theft offense requires specific evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. As we do with other criminal charges, our experienced criminal defense lawyer analyzes the evidence in every theft case to identify potential defenses and weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments. Your defense attorney’s job is to advocate for you against all categories of theft accusations, from simple shoplifting charges to complex felony theft cases involving substantial amounts of money.
Battery Charge Penalties
The penalties for battery charges vary significantly in Indiana. Factors like the severity of the alleged offense and the defendant’s prior criminal history play a role in what charges they may face. A simple battery crime typically results in misdemeanor charges, while aggravated battery crimes or domestic battery can lead to felony convictions.
Misdemeanor
Misdemeanor charges in Indiana are less serious than felony accusations but still carry significant consequences for defendants. While these convictions typically result in shorter jail sentences and lower fines than felonies, they still create permanent criminal records that can affect employment opportunities and other aspects of your life.
Our criminal defense team takes every misdemeanor case seriously, working to safeguard our clients from both immediate penalties and long-term consequences. Our attorney explores all available defense options and negotiates with prosecutors to achieve the best possible outcome in court.
A misdemeanor battery conviction can lead to prison time, fines, and community service. Our defense attorney offers dedicated legal representation, working to reduce these consequences by challenging evidence and negotiating with prosecutors.
Misdemeanor battery charges may include:
- Simple battery: Basic unwanted physical contact without a weapon or serious injury
- Battery resulting in bodily injury: Causing minor injuries like bruises, cuts, or scrapes
- Battery against a public safety official: Touching or striking a police officer, firefighter, or EMT (even without injury)
Felony
Felony charges represent the most serious category of criminal offenses, carrying substantial prison sentences and life-altering consequences. Felony crime convictions can result in years of incarceration, significant fines, and permanent restrictions on various rights and privileges. Felonies are categorized from Level 1 to Level 6, with Level 1 being the most severe and punishable by up to 40 years in prison. A felony record can also impact employment opportunities, housing options, and the ability to possess firearms.
Aggravated Battery
Battery involving use of a deadly weapon (knife, gun, baseball bat, etc), battery resulting in serious bodily injury, battery against a pregnant person, or battery committed by someone with a previous battery conviction
Domestic Battery
Battery against a family or household member, which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on prior domestic violence convictions, severity of injuries, or the presence of children during the incident
Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer
Physical contact with police officers, corrections personnel, or other public officials performing their duties is classified as battery on a public safety official in Indiana. This offense is generally charged as a Level 6 felony if no injury occurs, but increases to a Level 5 felony if bodily injury is involved
A criminal defense attorney at Zentz Law understands the gravity of felony accusations and provides aggressive legal representation to defend against these serious charges. He will guide you through the legal process, from conviction to sentencing.
Jail or Prison Time for a Criminal Conviction?
The distinction between jail time and prison time depends on the severity of your criminal conviction and the length of your sentence. Misdemeanor convictions typically result in county jail sentences of less than one year, while felony convictions often lead to state prison sentences. An expert criminal defense attorney will give you the best defense possible, often having more resources available than a public defender.
Understanding the potential consequences of criminal charges is crucial when making decisions about how to proceed with your defense. Defendants need to hire lawyers who know how to defend them against criminal accusations. A criminal defense attorney from Zentz Law will always explain the possible outcomes to you, then work to minimize the risk of incarceration.
Our lawyer represents clients throughout the local community, helping them navigate the legal system while protecting their interests. Whether you’re facing potential jail or prison time, you need to hire our defense attorney team.
Hire Zentz Law To Defend You in Court
Facing criminal charges can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life, but you don’t have to navigate this challenge alone. Our Fishers criminal defense lawyer brings years of experience and a proven track record of success to every case he handles. To access the best possible defense, hire our expert defense lawyer who has experience defending criminal convictions in several crime practice areas.
Our lawyer serves clients in Fishers, Indiana, and throughout Hamilton County, providing dedicated legal representation for all types of criminal cases. At Zentz Law, our attorney understands that every client deserves strong defense and personalized attention to their unique situation.
Community Commitment
Matthew’s commitment to our clients extends beyond simply handling their immediate legal needs. He is an attorney who believes in building long-term relationships with the local community and helping people move forward after difficult legal situations.
Don’t let criminal charges derail your future. Contact our knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer today to discuss your case and learn how he can help protect your rights and interests. When you hire a Zentz Law attorney, you are choosing the best. Contact us for a free consultation at 317-220-6056.