Carmel Criminal Defense Lawyer
Criminal charges can affect much more than just your freedom. Most criminal cases can have a lasting impact on your reputation, relationships, finances, career, and more. Skilled legal representation is crucial in mitigating or avoiding the lasting consequences of a criminal charge. If you’ve been accused of a crime or arrested in Carmel, Indiana, you need an experienced Carmel Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer to help you with your case and protect your rights during the legal process.
For a seasoned Carmel criminal defence attorney, contact Zentz Law. Attorney Matthew Zentz has in-depth knowledge of criminal law and uses his experience to fight for his clients. He can provide you with aggressive representation to protect you and reach the best possible outcome in your criminal case.
Whether it’s for violent crimes or simple misdemeanors, Matthew Zentz defends his clients throughout their legal proceedings. If you hire him as your criminal defense lawyer, he will explain your legal options and help you determine a plea based on the prosecution’s evidence.
Learn more about how Zentz Law can help with your criminal defense by scheduling your free consultation. Our criminal defense attorney understands the complexities of criminal law and will focus exclusively on protecting your interests. Contact us at 317-220-6056 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer and schedule a free consultation.
Areas of Criminal Defense Law We Handle
Our criminal defense law firm handles cases involving criminal charges from disorderly conduct to DUI. If you’re facing criminal charges, we can protect your legal rights and represent you in criminal court. Our practice areas encompass a wide range of criminal defense matters, and we work diligently to serve clients throughout Indianapolis.
Key practice areas of criminal defense include:
Disorderly Conduct
Indiana Code § 35-45-1-3 defines disorderly conduct as fighting, tumultuous conduct, making unreasonable noise after being told to stop, or disrupting lawful assemblies.
These offenses are Class B misdemeanors (180 days jail, $1,000 fine) but become Level 6 felonies with aggravating circumstances (three years prison, $10,000 fine).
Our law firm provides legal representation to fight disorderly conduct allegations or have charges reduced. Our criminal defense attorney has extensive experience representing clients facing criminal charges and understands how to build an effective criminal defense strategy.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence involves mistreatment or abuse of family or household members, including battery, threats, stalking, harassment, and kidnapping.
If accused of this offense, speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately, as charges for these violent crimes are often life-changing. Our attorney will thoroughly review the prosecution’s evidence and work to protect your best interests throughout this legal issue.
DUI Charges
DUI charges can permanently impact employment, finances, and driving ability. BAC over .08 is a Class C misdemeanor (60 days jail, $500 fine), while a BAC over .15 is a Class A misdemeanor (one year in prison, $5,000 fine). Punishment severity increases for repeat offenses or incidents causing injury or death.
You need a defense attorney with DUI experience to avoid severe consequences. Our lawyer understands how prosecutors approach these criminal cases and can challenge the evidence presented in court.
Failure To Pay Child Support
Matthew Zentz specializes in family law and criminal defense, making him helpful in child support cases. He can mitigate consequences and seek modifications while facilitating communication between co-parents. In cases involving failure to pay child support, he can help address enforcement actions and negotiate solutions to avoid criminal sentences.
His criminal defense experience is especially valuable when delinquency leads to legal jeopardy. Unlike attorneys who focus exclusively on one area of law, Matthew provides comprehensive legal services across multiple disciplines.
If you are facing criminal charges, contact Zentz Law today to set up your free consultation with our lawyer.
Domestic Relationship Definition in Indiana
For domestic violence charges, there must be a domestic relationship with the alleged victim.
In Indiana, domestic relationships include:
- Spouses or ex-spouses
- Dating partners and ex-partners
- Past or current roommates
- Family members (blood, adoption, marriage)
- Guardians, dependents, co-parents
If accused by someone in a domestic relationship, contact a qualified attorney immediately. They can argue the event didn’t occur, or that you lacked criminal intent. Our attorney has successfully defended numerous clients in Indianapolis and understands Indiana domestic law thoroughly.
Types of Domestic Violence Offenses
Criminal law includes numerous domestic violence offenses:
- Domestic battery, stalking, harassment
- Kidnapping, confinement, intimidation
- Violation of Protection Orders, trespassing
- Child abuse, invasion of privacy, and strangulation
Our Carmel criminal defense lawyer has experience with all these charges and can provide legal services to those accused and is committed to fighting their accusations against current or former prosecutors.
Harshest Penalties for Indiana Criminal Convictions
Indiana convictions can be severe, especially for criminal matters involving violence. Prosecutors may seek harsher sentences for repeat offenses.
Felonies are the most serious category of crimes, more severe than misdemeanors or infractions. They typically involve significant harm (or threat of harm) to people, property, or society and carry harsher legal consequences.
In general, these criminal cases are punishable by more than one year in prison, larger fines, and life consequences (like denial of voting rights, firearm ownership, and professional licenses). These cases are typically tried in a higher court than misdemeanors.
Felony Penalties:
- Level 6: Six to 18 months in prison
- Level 5: One to six years in prison
- Level 4: Two to 12 years in prison
- Level 3: Three to 16 years in prison
- Level 2: Ten to 30 years in prison
- Level 1: 20 to 40 years in prison
- Unclassified: 45 years to life in prison or a death sentence
In addition to severe prison time, those with felony convictions can face up to a $10,000 fine.
If you’re accused or arrested for a misdemeanor or felony crime, you need to hire a Carmel criminal defense attorney who can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights. Whether you plan to plead guilty or fight the charges, having proper defense representation is essential. Our attorney serves clients throughout the Carmel area and provides dedicated defense in every case.
Criminal Offenses That Can Be Expunged
Past convictions can affect employment and housing opportunities since they remain in public records.
Eligible misdemeanors and Level 6 felonies can be expunged, or sealed from public view, protecting against discrimination.
Misdemeanor expungement criteria:
- Five years since conviction
- No current charges or convictions in the past five years
- All fees and fines paid
Level 6 felony expungement criteria:
- Eight years since conviction or three years since sentence completion
- No current charges or convictions in the past eight years
- All fees and fines paid
Major Felony Expungement
Major felonies may qualify, but remain accessible in public records marked as expunged. Requirements include prosecutor approval and ten years since conviction or five years since sentence completion.
Non-Expungeable Crimes
Homicide, manslaughter, rape, human trafficking, child molestation, sexual misconduct with minors, fatal DUI, and others. Law enforcement officials cannot expunge misconduct, perjury, bribery, or obstruction charges.
An attorney experienced in expungement law can help you understand whether or not your conviction qualifies. If it does, your lawyer can guide you in having your conviction sealed so you don’t face discrimination in the future. For a law firm that will uphold your best interests, reach out to Zentz Law today.
Probation and Community Corrections
Those facing convictions in Indiana may qualify for suspended sentences through community correction programs like probation.
Probation requires following strict rules and reporting to officers. Requirements may include employment, medical treatment, drug testing, paying restitution, avoiding certain individuals, and staying within geographic limits.
Probation Violation
Violating probation can extend your sentence or require serving suspended time. Violation hearings lack juries, so judges (frequently former prosecutors) have final authority and may show bias. Consequences can include additional fines, stricter probation terms, or immediate incarceration. Even minor violations—like missing a meeting or failing a drug test—can lead to severe outcomes.
You need a defense attorney experienced as a trial lawyer for probation violations. They can present evidence to deny violations or argue mistakes were made or circumstances led to a harsher sentence to mitigate consequences. Our attorney understands court procedures and can effectively advocate for clients in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Carmel, Indiana Today
If accused of a crime in Carmel, Indiana, contact Zentz Law for a lawyer well versed in handling criminal charges. As a top-rated attorney featured on Super Lawyers, Matthew Zentz will assist you with criminal charges. He can present evidence to prove innocence or work to have charges reduced if you plan to plead guilty.
Our defense attorney provides comprehensive legal services to clients facing criminal charges. Whether you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer for the first time or have worked with other defense lawyers before, our attorney is committed to delivering results. We understand that being arrested can be overwhelming, which is why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case.
In addition to handling cases in the Carmel area, Zentz Law serves Hamilton County and Indianapolis. Our defense team works with clients throughout Indiana law enforcement jurisdictions.
Contact our criminal defense lawyer for a free consultation by calling 317-220-6056. When you hire our attorney, you gain access to dedicated legal services tailored to your specific needs.