When you’re facing criminal charges in McCordsville or the surrounding areas, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the complexities of Indiana’s criminal justice system. At Zentz Law, our McCordsville Indiana criminal defense lawyer has dedicated years to defending clients against a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanor charges to serious felony convictions. We serve clients throughout Marion County, Hancock County, and the Indianapolis area, including New Palestine and the surrounding communities.
Our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer team recognizes that being accused of a crime can be overwhelming, and the consequences of a conviction can change your life forever. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your criminal defense matter and explore the best possible outcome for your case. Contact Zentz Law today at 317-220-6056 to speak with an experienced attorney who will fight to protect your rights and defend your future.
Areas of Criminal Defense Law We Handle
Our criminal defense attorney handles a comprehensive range of criminal law matters, though these represent just some of the many areas where we provide experienced legal services to clients throughout Indiana.
Domestic Violence
In Indiana, domestic violence charges include domestic battery, criminal confinement, intimidation, and harassment between family or household members, ranging from Class B misdemeanors to Level 5 felonies with penalties up to six years in prison. Convictions result in mandatory anger management classes, permanent criminal records affecting employment and custody, and potential no-contact orders that restrict living and working arrangements.
Drug Crimes
Indiana drug offenses range from Class A misdemeanors for simple marijuana possession to Level 2 felonies for dealing controlled substances, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison and mandatory driver’s license suspensions. Drug dealing charges become particularly serious near schools or parks, and many offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences regardless of the situation.
DUI Charges
Indiana DUI laws prohibit operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher, with first-time offenses classified as Class C misdemeanors carrying up to 60 days in jail and license suspensions from 90 days to two years. A DUI conviction becomes significantly more serious with aggravating factors like passengers under 18 or BAC above 0.15%, which can elevate charges to felonies with up to three years in prison and permanent commercial driving disqualification.
Whether you’re dealing with criminal cases involving arrest warrants or preparing for trial, contacting the criminal defense attorney at Zentz Law at 317-220-6056 for a free consultation about your criminal defense matter can provide the expert guidance you need when facing criminal charges in court.
Protective Orders for Domestic Violence
In many domestic violence cases, the court may issue protective orders that restrict contact between the accused and the alleged victims. These orders can significantly impact your daily life, affecting where you can live, work, and travel. Our Hancock County criminal defense team helps clients understand these restrictions and works to modify unreasonable terms when possible. Protective orders often remain in effect throughout the judicial process and sometimes beyond, making it crucial to have an experienced attorney who can navigate both the civil matters and criminal defense matters involved.
Consequences for Violation
Violating a protective order is a separate criminal offense that can result in additional charges and penalties. Even unintentional contact or communication can lead to arrest and prosecution. The judge takes these violations seriously, and defendants convicted of violations can face jail time, probation, and additional restrictions. Our Indianapolis criminal defense attorney helps clients understand exactly what conduct is prohibited and works to defend against violation charges when they occur.
In many cases, our McCordsville Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer can demonstrate that alleged violations were accidental or that the evidence doesn’t support the prosecution’s claims, creating reasonable doubt about the defendant’s intent or actions.
Common Defense Strategies for Drug Crime Charges
Drug crimes often involve complex legal issues surrounding search and seizure, making defense strategies crucial to challenging the prosecution’s case. Our Hancock County criminal defense attorney examines whether law enforcement followed proper procedures during the arrest and investigation. Common defenses include challenging illegal searches, questioning the chain of custody for evidence, and demonstrating that the drugs didn’t belong to our clients.
We also investigate whether police had reasonable cause for the initial stop or search, as violations of constitutional rights can result in evidence being excluded from trial. In many cases, we can negotiate plea agreements with the prosecutor in court that reduce charges or minimize consequences, particularly for first-time offenders facing drug charges.
How DUI Charges Increase if an Accident Occurred
When a DUI charge involves an accident, it leads to more serious consequences and criminal charges. Indiana law treats DUI cases differently when property damage, injury, or death occurs. An accident can elevate a standard DUI to felony charges, especially if the victims suffered serious harm. The prosecutor will argue that intoxication caused the accident, making it essential to have a criminal defense attorney who can challenge this connection.
Our Hancock County defense attorney investigates everything surrounding the incident, examines accident reconstruction evidence, and works to show that factors other than intoxication may have contributed to the collision. We also explore whether the traffic stop was lawful and whether field sobriety tests were properly administered, as these issues can affect the case outcome. This can all be outlined during your free consultation.
FAQs
What is the statute of limitations for DUI charges in Indiana?
In Indiana, the statute of limitations for charges for DUI is typically two years for misdemeanor offenses. However, this timeframe can vary depending on the specifics of your case. Felony charges for a DUI may have longer limitation periods, and certain factors can pause or extend the deadline. If you believe you may face charges for a DUI from a past incident, it’s important to contact an experienced attorney who can evaluate the timeline and protect your rights throughout the process.
What is an enhancing circumstance in a drug charge?
An enhancing circumstance is a factor that can increase the severity of drug charges and potential penalties. These may include having a prior conviction, possessing drugs near schools or parks, involving minors in the offense, or carrying weapons during the crime. Gun crimes combined with drug offenses often result in enhanced penalties under both state and federal law. At Zentz Law, our Hancock County criminal defense team carefully reviews all of the details to challenge any alleged enhancements and fight for reduced charges when possible.
Protect Your Future With an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
Being accused of any crime can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face the criminal justice system alone. At Zentz Law, our Indiana criminal defense attorney team is committed to providing aggressive representation and personalized attention to every client’s case. We understand that each situation is unique, and our attorney works tirelessly to investigate everything that happened, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, pursue every available defense strategy, and, when appropriate, guide clients through the expungement process to clear their records after resolution.
Don’t let criminal charges define your future. If you’re facing criminal charges in Indianapolis, Hancock County, or the surrounding areas, our criminal defense attorney is ready to handle your criminal defense matter from arrest through trial and every court appearance in between. Contact our Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer at 317-220-6056 today for a free consultation to discuss your criminal cases. Calling our firm now could make all the difference in protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome.