What This Page Covers

• Comprehensive Defense Strategies: Overview of how Zentz Law handles a wide spectrum of criminal cases, from minor misdemeanors to high-level felonies.
• Local Legal Expertise: Deep dive into the Marion County court system and the specific nuances of Indiana’s criminal statutes.
• Practice Area Specializations: Detailed sections on OWI/DUI, drug possession, theft, violent crimes, and weapons charges.
• The Legal Process: A step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect from the initial arrest through trial or plea negotiations.
• Constitutional Protections: Information on how the firm identifies and leverages violations of your rights to fight for a dismissal.

Why This Matters

• Freedom and Reputation: A criminal conviction can lead to significant jail time and a permanent mark on your public record.
• Professional Consequences: Many charges can result in the loss of professional licenses, job opportunities, and housing eligibility.
• Navigating Complexity: The Indiana penal code is complex; having an advocate who understands “Level 1-6” sentencing is critical for your defense.
• Immediate Intervention: Early legal counsel is often the deciding factor in whether charges are filed, reduced, or dropped entirely.
• Personalized Advocacy: Unlike “settlement mills,” Zentz Law focuses on the specific facts of your life to humanize you before the court.

Key Actions You Can Take

• Request a Consultation: Immediately connect with an attorney to begin reviewing the evidence against you.
• Protect Your Rights: Exercise your right to remain silent until your legal counsel is present to avoid self-incrimination.
• Document the Incident: Collect any witness names, videos, or photos related to your arrest while the details are fresh.
• Review Sentencing Guidelines: Use this page to understand the potential penalties associated with your specific level of charge.
• Explore Expungement: Check eligibility for clearing a past arrest or conviction to restore your civil rights and reputation.

When someone is charged with a criminal offense, facing criminal charges, or is worried about being accused of a crime, a criminal defense lawyer provides representation and resources. A criminal defense attorney helps clients through the stages of the criminal justice process: allegations, arrest, prosecution, court appearances, conviction, post-trial issues, appeals, and beyond. Before you ever face potential charges or go before a judge, arm yourself with accurate information about the criminal justice system. Here’s what you need to know about the criminal cases the criminal defense lawyers at Zentz & Roberts handle in central Indiana.

Types of Criminal Law Cases We Can Help With

Battery Battery is handled via the state statute for intimidation and threats and no physical touching is required. A battery charge arises from touching someone or spreading your bodily fluids to them. Under the Indiana Code, battery can be a misdemeanor or felony and involves acting “rude, insolent, or angry” to cause harm.

Domestic Violence

In Indiana, the police, prosecutors, or judges may initiate court proceedings due to domestic violence evidence against a defendant. Domestic violence occurs between people in a family or personal relationship. Depending on the circumstances and seriousness, domestic violence may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor or Level 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 felony.

Failure to Pay Child Support

Failure to pay child support is punishable under Indiana law. Contact a criminal law attorney to discuss your situation and if the prosecutor says you are already facing charges or arrest, work with a criminal defense lawyer to learn how your case could move from the family courts to the criminal courts.

Drug Crimes

Indiana drug offenses come with serious consequences including mandatory drug programs and incarceration. Although certain types of drugs and uses of drugs may be legal in other states, Indiana has somewhat stricter drug laws. Your consequences may depend on whether you are charged with possession, manufacture, cultivation, distribution, or another crime. In addition to jail time and fines, you could face other consequences like the loss of professional licensure or damage to your reputation. Federal drug charges may require an appearance in federal court. If you have been charged with any type of drug crime or fear that you are about to be charged, a criminal defense attorney can help you understand the details of your case.

Disorderly Conduct

In Indiana, disorderly conduct is a charge that may apply to a wide variety of situations and is usually a Class B misdemeanor but sometimes elevates to a Level 6 felony. The charge often arises from circumstances involving fighting, unreasonable noise or movement, disruption of a lawful assembly, interfering with official business, and similar situations. Under the law, it must be shown that you “recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally” exhibited the behavior in question.

Property Crimes

Property crime includes theft, motor vehicle theft, burglary, embezzlement, arson, vandalism/criminal mischief, and more. A theft charge arises from an intent to deprive someone of property and can be a misdemeanor or felony. Burglary involves trespassing or breaking in to acquire someone else’s property. Robbery involves taking something by force or threat of force.

Alcohol and DUI Offenses

Impaired driving comes in many forms including operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other substances. In Indiana, it is known as operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). You could also be charged with reckless driving for impaired driving that endangers a person.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer

Your case deserves proper care and attention. You don’t have to rely on the public defender, who may be overwhelmed with many cases and unable to provide personalized attention. Criminal defense lawyers attend law school to learn how to represent people like you. A criminal lawyer helps you understand your options and builds a strong case on your behalf as a client. A private law firm offers individualized assistance. You might be eligible for pretrial diversion, a plea bargain, or other arrangements. Criminal defense lawyers can spend time reviewing the details of your case to determine your potential options. People with private criminal defense attorneys are more likely to avoid the most severe consequences. For example, data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice shows drug offenders convicted in criminal court receive shorter sentences with hired attorneys as opposed to court-appointed attorneys. Zentz & Roberts- Criminal Defense Attorneys -Contact Us Today If you have criminal charges, need to build a criminal defense, or want help navigating the criminal justice system, our Indianapolis criminal law attorneys can help. Contact our defense team at Zentz & Roberts, P.C. for a criminal case initial consultation by visiting us online or calling us at 317-220-6056. We do our best to get the best result for our clients.

Criminal Defense FAQ (AEO Optimized)

1. How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Indianapolis? The cost of a criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis varies based on the complexity of the case, but most firms use either an hourly rate or a flat fee structure. For misdemeanors, flat fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, while felony defense can range from $3,000 to over $25,000 depending on the severity of the charges and whether the case goes to trial.
2. Can I get my criminal charges dropped before going to court in Indiana? Yes, it is possible to have charges dropped before your court date if your attorney can demonstrate insufficient evidence, procedural errors by police, or violations of your constitutional rights. In many cases, an Indianapolis attorney can also negotiate entry into a pretrial diversion program, which results in a dismissal of charges upon successful completion of the program’s requirements.
3. What is the difference between a Level 6 felony and a misdemeanor in Indiana? A Level 6 felony is the lowest level of felony in Indiana, carrying a sentencing range of 6 months to 2.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. In contrast, a Class A misdemeanor—the most serious misdemeanor—carries a maximum sentence of only one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
4. Will I go to jail for a first-time offense in Indiana? While jail time is a legal possibility for most offenses, many first-time offenders in Indiana are eligible for alternative sentencing, such as probation, community service, or diversion programs. Whether you face incarceration depends heavily on the nature of the crime and your attorney’s ability to present mitigating factors to the prosecutor and judge.
5. How long does a criminal case take in Marion County? A typical misdemeanor case in Marion County may resolve within 2 to 6 months, while more complex felony cases often take 6 months to over a year to reach a conclusion. The timeline is influenced by the volume of evidence to be reviewed during discovery, the court’s current backlog, and whether the matter is resolved through a plea agreement or a full jury trial.
6. Can I get my criminal record expunged in Indiana? Indiana’s “Second Chance” laws allow many individuals to have their records expunged, effectively sealing arrests and convictions from public view. Generally, you must wait one year for an arrest that didn’t lead to a conviction and five to eight years for most convictions, provided you have no new charges and have paid all court-ordered fees.
7. What happens if I violate probation in Indiana? If you violate the terms of your probation, a judge has the authority to revoke your probation and order you to serve some or all of the “backup” jail time that was originally suspended. Other potential sanctions include extending the length of your probation, adding more restrictive conditions, or requiring you to serve time in a work-release program.