An Indiana criminal conviction can severely impact your life and freedom, resulting in life-altering consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Whether dealing with DUI offenses or other serious criminal offenses, you need a compassionate criminal defense lawyer in Avon Indiana to fight for your rights in court.
Experienced criminal defense attorney and member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Matthew Zentz represents clients in Hendricks County and Central Indiana, and he is a trusted advocate for compassionate and aggressive defense. For a free consultation with an Indiana criminal defense attorney, Avon residents can call our office at 317-220-6056 or fill out our form.
Areas of Criminal Defense Law Our Attorney Handles
Indiana criminal defense attorney Matthew Zentz handles a wide range of criminal cases, including DUIs, probation violations, and disorderly conduct throughout Hendricks County and Central Indiana. As a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, he provides comprehensive legal representation from traffic violations, including traffic tickets, to complex criminal charges and criminal convictions, including appeals, in Indiana courts.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence criminal charges in Indiana include intimidation, stalking, criminal trespassing, and physical harm involving family members, partners, or roommates. Our Indianapolis criminal defense attorney challenges evidence and works diligently through trial to pursue the best possible outcome for accused clients under Indiana criminal law.
Drug Crimes
Drug convictions for possession, dealing, or drug-related DUIs can result in jail time and significant fines, but an Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer can help fight or reduce these DUI charges. Our attorney’s experience with drug crimes and DUIs in Hendricks County ensures knowledgeable representation in court.
Battery Charges
Battery in Indiana involves touching someone in a rude, angry, or insolent manner or intentionally discharging bodily fluids at a person. Skilled criminal defense attorneys who understand Indiana’s battery laws can challenge these charges in court or present mitigating factors.
How Criminal Trespassing Could Result in a Domestic Violence Charge
Criminal trespassing occurs when someone knowingly enters or remains on another’s Indiana property without permission. If this involves a person you have a close or legal relationship with, like a child, spouse, co-parent, former partner, or another family member, it may qualify as domestic violence under Indiana law.
In Indiana, such charges are often felonies and may result in significant prison time and fines up to $10,000. If accused of trespassing involving a family member, you need experienced criminal law legal representation. Our Hendricks County attorney can provide the aggressive defense you need in your proceeding.
How Drug Possession Is Categorized
Possessing a controlled substance in Indiana can lead to serious charges. When facing any crime involving controlled substances, understanding the distinctions under criminal law is crucial. Indiana law distinguishes between types of possession:
Actual Possession means the person physically had the drug.
Constructive Possession means the person had knowledge of the drug and the ability to control or access it, such as drugs stored in a car or house.
Possession is also categorized based on intent:
Simple Possession involves small amounts, typically for personal use. These often lead to misdemeanor charges, except in cases involving cocaine or narcotics.
Possession With Intent To Distribute (PWID) involves larger quantities, suggesting plans to sell. Prosecutors may use evidence like packaging, scales, or cash to support the charge in court.
Severity depends on the possession type and the specific drug. Our criminal defense lawyer serves Avon, Indianapolis, and the surrounding areas of Indiana, defending drug crime clients in court or negotiating plea deals with prosecutors to reduce penalties. Our DUI and drug crime attorney has experience representing clients in Hendricks County courts.
Factors That Determine Whether Battery Is Charged as a Misdemeanor or a Felony
Whether a battery is a misdemeanor or a felony in Indiana depends on several factors that attorneys must carefully analyze when building a defense in court:
The Victim
Charges are more severe if the Indiana victim is considered “protected”:
- Children
- Seniors
- Public safety officials
- Pregnant women
- People with physical or mental disabilities
A defendant with a prior battery conviction whose criminal case involved a protected victim may face harsher charges. Our Indiana criminal defense attorney understands how these factors influence prosecutorial decisions in Hendricks County courts.
Injury Severity
Minor or no injuries typically result in a misdemeanor charge. Moderate to serious injuries often lead to felony charges. Exposing someone to infection (e.g., spitting while carrying a disease) can also increase severity. Having an experienced Indianapolis attorney who understands Indiana law is crucial when these distinctions appear in court. If you’re facing battery charges involving injury allegations, contact our criminal lawyer team for a free consultation to discuss how criminal law applies to your case and what defense strategies may be available in Hendricks County.
Weapon Use
Using a deadly weapon in Indiana, even without causing harm, is a crime that results in felony charges. Our lawyer has successfully defended clients facing enhanced charges in Indianapolis and Hendricks County. These weapon-related charges carry severe penalties and require immediate legal representation from an experienced criminal lawyer who understands the complexities of criminal law in Hendricks County courts.
FAQs
What is considered a serious battery injury?
An injury is serious if it risks death, causes loss of a fetus, permanent disfigurement, severe pain, physical impairment, or loss of consciousness. Under Indiana criminal law, serious bodily injury also includes injuries that create a substantial risk of death or cause protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. The distinction between simple and serious battery can mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction, with felony charges carrying significantly harsher penalties, including potential prison time.
What can make a kidnapper face harsher charges?
Under Indiana Code §35-42-3-2, kidnapping involves moving someone through force, threat, enticement, or fraud. Charges worsen if:
- The victim is a child
- A vehicle is used
- Someone is injured
- A deadly weapon is used
- Ransom or hostage is involved
- The act aids an escape or a prisoner’s release
Our Indiana attorney has experience handling complex criminal law cases throughout Hendricks County and can navigate these charges in court.
Are all Schedule I and II drugs illegal?
Schedule I drugs, such as heroin, LSD, marijuana, and ecstasy, are not approved for medical use and are illegal under Indiana law.
Schedule II drugs, like cocaine, methamphetamine, Adderall, and fentanyl, have medical use under the law, but are illegal without a valid prescription. DUI charges involving these substances require experienced criminal law legal representation.
Get a Free Consultation With a Criminal Defense Attorney
Defendants need an Indianapolis criminal lawyer to protect your rights through every stage of the criminal law process, from arrest through trial and appeals if necessary. When you’ve been arrested or are under investigation for any crime, time is critical. Experienced attorney Matthew Zentz offers aggressive representation from arrest through trial—and can assist with appeals. For business or divorce matters, he also provides comprehensive legal services for your family. Don’t let a conviction impact your life. To get started with an experienced lawyer who understands Indiana’s criminal justice system, contact our office for a free consultation: 317-220-6056. Don’t face criminal charges alone. Let our dedicated criminal law attorney in Indianapolis and Hendricks County provide the defense you deserve in court.