Indianapolis Felony Lawyer Aggressively Defense Strategies For Felony Charges In Indiana
Felony charges should always be taken seriously. The penalties of a conviction are severe and include thousands of dollars in fines and jail time. Furthermore, having a felony conviction on your record can impact your ability to find employment, secure housing, and attend college. At Harwell Gray Legal Counsel LLC, we treat every case with the care and attention it deserves. When you hire our Indianapolis felony lawyer to represent you, you can be sure your best interests come first.
Have you been charged with a felony in Hendricks, Hamilton, Johnson, Marion or Hancock counties? Contact Harwell Gray Legal Counsel LLC today at 317-344-9085 for a consultation.
Dealing With Felony Charges In Indiana
Prosecutors in Indiana pursue felony cases aggressively. If you have been charged with a felony, or if you believe you are under investigation for a felony, it is recommended that you secure legal representation as soon as possible. Our experienced Indianapolis felony attorney will thoroughly investigate your case, uncover all of your legal options, and help you make important legal decisions with confidence.
We have extensive experience with felony charges such as:
- DUI, including underage drinking and multiple DUI offenses
- Drug crimes, including marijuana charges
- Violent crimes, such as aggravated assault and domestic violence
- Homicide and murder
Felony charges need to be fought with tireless determination. A conviction may result in a loss of your rights, such as voting rights and driving privileges. It may also impact other legal issues, such as child custody and visitation cases. If you are facing felony charges, or if you have already been convicted and need help with post-conviction services such as appeals or sentence modifications, we can help.
Felony Designations And Their Penalties In Indiana
In 2014, Indiana changed its felony designation to 7 new classes: Levels 1–6 felonies, then a murder felony class reserved only for murder charges. The increase in categories serves to benefit defendants, as it gives judges a little more discretion when it comes to sentencing.
From lowest to highest level, the Indiana felony categories have the following penalties:
- Level 6 felony: 6 months to 2.5 years in county jail with an advisory sentence of 1 year
- Level 5 felony: 1 year to 6 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 3 years
- Level 4 felony: 2 years to 12 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 6 years
- Level 3 felony: 3 years to 16 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 9 years
- Level 2 felony: 10 years to 30 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 17.5 years
- Level 1 felony: 20 years to 40 years in prison with an advisory sentence of 30 years
- Murder: fixed sentence of 45 to 55 years in prison, life without parole, or the death penalty (3 separate possibilities)
All advisory sentences are mere guidelines for the judge, so they can choose any amount of time between the two limits of each felony class set by law. All of these sentences could come with a fine up to $10,000.
Fixed Terms
Indiana law requires judges to add additional fixed amounts of prison time for “habitual offenders,” which includes anyone who has been convicted of three or more felonies. These fixed terms can add 2 to 20 more years to your sentence if convicted.
Aggravating And Mitigating Factors
Aggravating factors would be anything that might cause your sentence to be longer than the advisory guidelines, while mitigating factors would grant you a shorter sentence. Examples of mitigating factors include situations where the defendant is young, is cooperative and open to treatment, and factors like that.
Aggravating factors would include any situations where the defendant has a criminal record, is accused of targeting a vulnerable victim (like an elderly person or a child), or violated a prior court order to commit what they’ve allegedly done.
We Make You Our Priority
At Harwell Gray Legal Counsel LLC, you are more than just a case number. We work hard to provide legal representation that considers the whole person. Many clients report feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn for support when facing felony charges. When you work with us, we are there for you every step of the way. If you have questions after your case is resolved, we are just a phone call away. Our Indianapolis felony defense lawyer has extensive knowledge of Indiana criminal law, and we are prepared to put this experience to work for you.
To discuss your case today with a knowledgeable Indianapolis felony attorney, contact us online or at 317-344-9085.