Noblesville Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you’re facing criminal charges or a criminal conviction, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. With Zentz Law, you’ll get high-quality legal representation during this challenging period. As a named Indiana Super Lawyer recognized by the National Board, Indiana criminal defense attorney Matthew Zentz has spent his legal career helping clients reach the best outcomes for their alleged crimes and protecting their rights throughout the legal process.

The Zentz Law criminal defense team has experience representing clients in numerous jury trials, providing a thorough and aggressive defense. Our criminal defense law firm supports you with dependable legal representation and trial advocacy. Contact Zentz Law today for compassionate criminal defense representation in Noblesville and Central Indiana. Schedule your free consultation by calling 317-220-6056.

Areas of Criminal Defense Law We Handle

Indiana criminal defense lawyer Matthew Zentz provides aggressive representation for a wide range of criminal law cases. Our criminal defense team defends you for alleged non-violent crimes, such as drunk driving and disorderly conduct, as well as serious criminal offenses, including domestic violence and battery.

Matthew Zentz has experience representing clients in various criminal law cases in Hamilton County and Marion County, including, but not limited to:

Battery Charges

Battery occurs when an assailant causes bodily harm to a victim through physical contact or projection of bodily fluid or waste. The battery charge may be a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the alleged crime and the individual involved. Domestic violence against children and seniors over 65 is often considered a major felony. Battery convictions can carry a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for years, making it crucial to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer if accused of this crime.

Drug Crimes

If you’ve been accused of possessing, selling, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs, it’s critical to have an Indiana criminal defense lawyer in your corner. Deputy prosecutors are tough on drug crimes in Indiana. Beyond costly penalties and possible prison time, you could lose access to certain employment due to drug offenses. Criminal defense attorneys have extensive knowledge about drug laws and can protect your rights during this criminal case.

Probation Violations

The Indiana legal system has strict probation rules, and breaching probation laws carries harsh penalties, including additional prison time or more severe restrictions. If you’ve been accused of missing a court date, failing a drug or alcohol test, or failing to report to the probation officer, you need a criminal defense lawyer. An experienced attorney can help disprove the alleged violation or lessen the penalty by presenting mitigating circumstances.

Sex Crimes

Being charged with a sex crime can have unalterable consequences. Beyond serving a prison sentence and paying costly penalties, you may be forced to register with the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Registry, permanently affecting your work and limiting where you can live. Every individual deserves legal representation to ensure their constitutional rights are upheld. An Indiana criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and provide invaluable representation to work toward the best outcome.

How Misdemeanors and Felonies Are Classified in Indiana

In criminal law, legal offenses are classified as either misdemeanors or felonies. In Indiana, misdemeanors are subdivided into three categories, while felonies are subdivided into six categories.

Misdemeanors are categorized into Class A, B, or C, with Class A being the most serious, including offenses like petty theft, drunk driving, and public indecency. Class B misdemeanors, such as disorderly conduct and marijuana possession, still carry fines and possible jail time. Class C misdemeanors are the least severe, often resulting in lighter penalties for offenses like trespassing or using a fake ID.

While misdemeanors are considered minor offenses with limited jail time, felonies under Indiana criminal law carry serious and long-term consequences. Felonies are categorized into six levels, with lower levels typically indicating violent crimes and more serious felony offenses. The penalties for these felonies can include decades of jail time. Less severe felonies can include jail sentences as short as six months for some drug possession charges or theft under a certain amount. Murder is considered an “unclassified felony” with the harshest punishments.

Possible Penalties for Misdemeanors and Felonies

Under Indiana criminal law, each category of misdemeanor and felony carries various sentencing guidelines and penalties. Criminal charge consequences vary depending on several factors, but generally, you can expect these penalties:

Misdemeanor Penalties:

• Class C Misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500
• Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
• Class A Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000

Felony Penalties:

• Level 6 Felony: 6 to 30 months in prison
• Level 5 Felony: 1 to 6 years in prison
• Level 4 Felony: 2 to 12 years in prison
• Level 3 Felony: 3 to 16 years in prison
• Level 2 Felony: 10 to 30 years in prison
• Level 1 Felony: 20 to 40 years in prison
• Unclassified Felony: 45 years to life in prison or the death penalty

Additionally, all felonies can carry a fine of up to $10,000.

If you have questions regarding possible penalties, consult with an Indiana criminal defense lawyer. Request a free consultation with a skilled criminal defense attorney today by contacting Zentz Law.

What Are the Steps in a Criminal Defense Case in Indiana?

It’s important to know the stages of an Indiana criminal defense case if you’ve been accused of a crime. Awareness of the process can help you avoid missteps that law enforcement or deputy prosecuting attorneys might use to strengthen their case against you. Understanding the steps also prepares you for your case.

An Indiana criminal defense lawyer can represent you through each step to protect your rights and build your case against these allegations. We recommend consulting with an experienced attorney as soon as possible if you don’t yet have criminal defense representation. Going through the legal steps without an experienced criminal defense attorney can leave you vulnerable to costly mistakes.

Investigation and Arrest

Criminal defense cases usually begin with law enforcement investigating the alleged offense. Depending on the nature of the crime, police might gather evidence by interviewing witnesses and collecting physical evidence. They may also search your home or vehicle if they have a warrant.

If police arrest you, they should read your Miranda rights, stating that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say to the police can be used against you. Do not talk to police without a criminal defense attorney present.

Case Screening in Criminal Law

After your arrest, the Hamilton County prosecuting attorney will evaluate whether to officially charge you with a crime. They will review the police report and evidence to determine if they should file a case and the specific criminal charges.

Arraignment

If the Hamilton County prosecuting attorney moves forward with criminal charges, you have an initial hearing called an arraignment. The court will inform you of the official charges. This is when you’ll enter your plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The judge may also set bail.

It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer before your arraignment, as they will guide you and give invaluable legal advice to help determine your plea. Contact Zentz Law for a free consultation about our legal services.

Discovery

During the discovery phase, your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecution exchange information and evidence relevant to the case. The prosecutor provides the criminal defense lawyer with any evidence against you, such as police reports, witnesses, lab tests, and photographic evidence. Here, your criminal defense lawyer can challenge evidence credibility and admissibility. Your criminal defense lawyer and the deputy prosecutor will also likely depose witnesses who may testify during the trial.

Pretrial Proceedings

Pretrial proceedings occur before trial. The pretrial conference involves the presiding judge meeting with your criminal defense lawyer and the prosecuting attorney to ensure the process is going smoothly and expedite the trial process. Your criminal defense attorney can also file motions in the pretrial conference, such as a motion to regard evidence as inadmissible.

Pretrial proceedings often include negotiations and plea agreements. The prosecutor may offer a plea deal with a lighter sentence or reduced charges. If you agree to the guilty plea, you will resolve the case without a trial.

Trial

If you don’t enter a plea deal, you will undergo a jury trial to determine guilt. An experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial for a trial, as they have expertise in presenting evidence effectively and influencing the jury. Utilizing trial advocacy, an experienced attorney can argue your case to help secure a non-guilty verdict.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Will Protect Your Rights During and After Trial

The importance of enlisting the legal expertise of an Indiana criminal defense attorney cannot be understated, as your criminal defense advocate will aggressively fight to protect your rights and freedom during legal issues. Defendants are frequently treated unfairly in criminal cases, and law enforcement or prosecutors could violate their rights by using illegal evidence.

If police obtained evidence from your home without a warrant or your consent, they cannot use it against you. A coerced confession through illegal tactics, such as denying legal counsel, is also inadmissible. The prosecution can also violate your rights in a trial, such as coercing witnesses or withholding evidence in discovery that supports your criminal defense case.

Your Indiana criminal defense attorney will help protect your rights during trial by filing motions to exclude evidence that should be inadmissible. If police or prosecutors committed a violation against your rights, your criminal defense team will be there to file motions to suppress evidence, and may be able to make a case for dismissing your charges entirely.

A criminal defense attorney can also protect your rights after the trial concludes. If you’re found guilty, your attorney can help you appeal the court’s decision or argue for a lighter sentence. Your Indiana criminal defense attorney can also file post-conviction relief if new evidence comes to light, requesting a new trial or sentence reduction.

Depending on your case and criminal record, your criminal defense attorney may also be able to help you obtain an expungement, wiping the conviction from your record after you serve your sentence or pay your penalty.

Contact us for a free consultation.

Let Zentz Law Fight in Your Defense

Experienced attorney Matthew Zentz will fight to disprove the allegations against you or negotiate an acceptable penalty on your behalf. As an experienced litigator and dedicated criminal defense attorney who established his own practice after receiving recognition from the National Board, Matthew Zentz can offer criminal defense in both state and federal courts, providing aggressive legal representation to secure the best outcome.

Beyond helping you with criminal defense, our law firm can also assist you with family law, business law, estate planning, and more. With many years of experience practicing law and fighting for his clients’ rights, you can count on Matthew Zentz for exceptional legal support in Noblesville and Marion County. Unlike other attorneys, Matthew has built his reputation through dedicated criminal defense work.

You can request a free initial consultation with Zentz Law today or call 317-220-6056. Your free consultation will help you get started with your defense, empowering you to take the first step toward protecting your rights and future.