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who we are
Founded in 2007, The Criminal Defense Team represents individuals accused of crimes throughout Indiana. Criminal defense is the only law we practice and we bring our experience and expertise to every client and every case. At The Criminal Defense Team, we have over 120 years of combined experience defending clients accused of a range of crimes in Indiana. We know the battle you are up against and how stressful and overwhelming the legal process can be. Let us provide you with the aggressive advocacy you need to protect your rights, freedom, and future.
When you’re facing a potential prison sentence, you shouldn’t leave your fate in the hands of an inexperienced attorney. The Criminal Defense Team is ready to take your case and go to battle for you in court. Whether you were arrested or charged with a misdemeanor or felony, The Criminal Defense Team can represent you in your case. When you hire us, we will review the circumstances of the crime and determine the available legal options. We will leave no stone unturned in our mission to poke holes in the prosecutor’s arguments and disprove the evidence presented against you during the trial.
You deserve the right people in your corner to ensure the best possible outcome. Our lawyers are all dedicated to criminal defense, each with different strengths, contacts and experiences. When you hire our firm, we’ll assemble the team that matches your needs. Everyone that hires The Criminal Defense Team will have two lawyers and a paralegal working on their case, yet still have access to the vast experience of the whole Team. The value in our ability to match your case with the lawyers cannot be overstated.
The Criminal Defense Team will fight to secure the best possible outcome in your case. Call us at (317) 687-8326 right now for your free initial consultation. We will be happy to meet with you to discuss your case and the type of defense you need.
The mission for our entire team is to obtain superior results for our clients, fellow human beings that deserve zealous representation through passionate use of our team’s expertise and experience. We recognize that our team's collective talents synergize to produce far greater results than each individual attorney would on their own. We also recognize that an unyielding willingness to take any case to jury trial will be our greatest asset to complete this mission. Courage, compassion, curiosity and creativity serve as the four foundational corners in our constant fight for the accused.
Indiana's first line of defense
Our team works together to successfully defend our clients against all criminal charges in Indiana. Learn more about the wide array of crimes we defend by exploring the categories below.
Title 35 of Indiana Criminal Law and Procedure defines a range of misdemeanor and felony crimes. It provides guidelines for sentencing and fines that the court can use at its discretion. Some offenses might involve aggravating or mitigating factors that can increase or decrease the type of sentence someone can face. For example, a misdemeanor charge could increase to a felony if the defendant caused serious bodily harm.
It is often up to the Judge to determine a fair sentence. Judges must make their sentencing decisions based on the aggravating and mitigating circumstances the parties present. This is why having an experienced attorney that understands Indiana sentencing laws is so important. With such a significant range for sentences, arguing the appropriate mitigating circumstances for our clients is a top priority for our attorneys.
If you are arrested or charged with a crime in Indiana, with the exception of murder, you will be facing either a misdemeanor or felony offense. Felony offenses are more serious than misdemeanor offenses, although at The Criminal Defense Team we understand that no matter what you are charged with, it’s often the most serious thing happening in your life, so we put two attorneys on every case and we fight every case with everything we’ve got. Below are the sentence ranges for Indiana criminal offenses.
Indiana used to categorize felonies as classes between A and D. However, after July 2014, the class system changed to levels. The six levels of felonies are:
Unlike other states, Indiana law doesn’t use first-degree or second-degree murder to determine the sentence a defendant should receive. Instead, the court will consider different factors associated with the case to issue an appropriate sentence. The sentencing guideline for murder is:
Misdemeanors come in three classes, depending on the type of offense and other associated factors. The three classes are:
When someone is facing a Judge for sentencing, the Judge must start at the Advisory Level for the charge. From there the Judge will weigh the aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine the appropriate sentence. The range of potential imprisonment for some levels of crimes is quite large and can cause a lot of anxiety and stress for someone just looking at the numbers. Our Criminal Defense Team attorneys will help explain the sentencing ranges you are facing after an arrest. Below is a quick guide to the felony sentencing ranges.
| Felony Level | Minimum Sentence | Advisory Sentence | Maximum Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 45 years | 55 years | 65 years |
| Level 1 Felony | 20 years | 30 years | 40 years |
| Level 2 Felony | 10 years | 17 ½ years | 30 years |
| Level 3 Felony | 3 years | 9 years | 16 years |
| Level 4 Felony | 2 years | 6 years | 12 years |
| Level 5 Felony | 1 years | 3 years | 6 years |
| Level 6 Felony | 6 months | 1 year | 2 ½ years |
Sentencing does not always involve the maximum prison sentence and fine. In fact, it is rare to get the maximum sentence. Judges will often impose a reduced sentence, and it is also possible that you might not have to spend any time behind bars. Examples of other penalties you could face for a conviction include:
Probation – After a criminal conviction, the Judge could sentence you to probation so you can avoid serving time in jail or prison. The Court will set conditions you must meet, and a Probation Officer will monitor your progress. The conditions of probation could include:
If you violate any of your probation conditions, the Judge could sentence you to jail or prison.
Community Corrections – This involves participating in programs, such as Work Release or Home Detention/Arrest instead of spending time in prison.
Alternate sentencing – Many misdemeanor and low-level felony offenses don’t require harsh punishment. First-time offenders are typically met with leniency and there are opportunities for diversion programs (which result in a dismissal upon successful completion of terms) or sentences to lesser crimes. Additionally, instead of issuing a jail sentence, the Judge might decide community service, probation, or paying a fine is enough of a punishment.
WHY WE WIN
Our lawyers work together as a tight-knit team to create a defense strategy for your specific case.Prosecutors know we're not afraid to take cases to trial, and this reputation has resulted in better outcomes for our clients.
The Criminal Defense Team's talent, experience and aggressive style of lawyering largely explains the results we obtain for our clients, even on difficult cases. Although we can’t promise an outcome on any case, we absolutely believe that our collective experience concentrating in criminal law will put our clients in the best position to receive the best practical outcome available.
Put Our Team In Your Corner. Call (317) 687-8326 Now.
The Criminal Defense Team recommends that you hire an experienced defense attorney to represent you in your case. Our team is uniquely qualified to protect your freedom and interests. We believe in taking swift, aggressive action to build a strong defense so we can meet your specific legal goals. We do this by working closely together to create the best possible strategy to fight the allegations you’re facing.
When you hire us, we will take on the responsibility of each aspect of your case, including:
Investigation
– We will investigate the allegations and review all of the State’s evidence while also conducting our own investigation.
Experts
– We can speak to experts that can explain facts associated with the case. For example, a medical expert might dispute the cause of death in a murder case, showing a likelihood that the defendant didn’t commit the crime.
Witnesses
– We can locate people who saw what happened and call them to the stand to testify on your behalf.
Reasonable Doubt
– The State of Indiana must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Our job will be to discredit their witnesses, expose weaknesses in their theories, and question the strength of the evidence they present. If there is doubt instilled in the jurors’ minds, they are instructed by the Court to find our client Not Guilty.
Criminal cases are stressful and overwhelming for anyone involved. We know that you are worried about the impact of a conviction on your life and your family. Our attorneys approach every case with fierce determination and unparalleled persistence. When the fate of your future is in our hands, you can depend on us to provide guidance and support throughout the legal process. The Criminal Defense Team has taken over 1,000 cases to trial and never backs down from a fight.
The Results
We are confident that our collective expertise concentrating in criminal law will put our clients in the best position to receive the best practical outcome available.
National Board of Trial Advocacy Certifications
Our Board CertificationsMore than 15,000 lawyers practice in Indiana, but only 6 can claim the title of Board Certified* Criminal Law Specialist. Amazingly, 5 of those 6 certified specialists work closely together in the same law firm…our firm. Our team has been assembled by design, not happenstance.
Board Certification is an elite title reserved for those lawyers who have expertise and dedication in one area of law as well as extensive trial experience. We are proud of that title and what it represents. Our Board Certified* lawyers fight for our clients and work with all of our lawyers every day to help obtain the best possible outcome for our clients.
You wouldn’t want a general practice doctor who is not board certified to handle your heart condition, why would you want a general practice law firm with no Board Certified Criminal Trial Specialists to handle your criminal case?
*Andrew Baldwin, Mark Kamish, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, and Carrie Miles are certified Criminal Trial Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), a nonprofit organization that certifies attorneys of various legal focuses. To earn an NTBA certification, an attorney must demonstrably show the highest levels of trial experience, competence and integrity.
Aggressive Advocates. Compassionate Counsel.
Our decades of experience, network of connections and passion for our work sets us apart from our competitors. Trust your case to a team that has the expertise to achieve the best result for you.
The combination of strategic thinking and aggressive action our clients receive is something you won’t find anywhere else. We dig deep into every possible angle of a case. Our team concept, unique defense strategies, and an absolute willingness to go to trial often makes all the difference for our clients. You don’t want to find yourself in front of a judge and suddenly realize there’s no real strategy for your defense.
At The Criminal Defense Team, we understand the profound impact an arrest has on your life.
The law can be complicated, confusing and intimidating, but understanding it can be extremely important. At the same time, trying to figure out all the complications and understanding the nuances of the law on your own can be very difficult and overwhelming.
Your reputation, financial future and even your freedom could be on the line. This is the time you want the best people on your side. We are experienced, aggressive, and invested in your case with Attorneys and a staff who will sit with you, keep you informed, and customize a team that works best for your defense. We create innovative defense strategies, and we’re ready to take your case to court.
If you were arrested or charged with a crime in Indiana, need assistance with an appeal, or want to find out if you can expunge your criminal conviction, call The Criminal Defense Team right now at
(317) 687-8326.
We can meet you for an initial consultation to discuss your case and explain how we can help.
While our offices are in Franklin, Indianapolis, and Noblesville, we defend clients in Hamilton County, Marion County, Johnson County, Hancock County, Shelby County, Boone County, Hendricks County, Howard County, Monroe County, Tippecanoe County and counties throughout Indiana. We can help you as well.
Make Your Fight, Our Fight. Call (317) 687-8326 Now.
Articles Of Law
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No attorney can predict the future. If you are interviewing a lawyer who promises you any outcome, we suggest you run out of his/her office as that is unethical and should not be tolerated. It most likely means that they simply want your money and will promise you a sunny day in order to get your money. It is not uncommon for our firm to have criminal charges, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies dismissed, and perhaps your case can be dismissed as well.
However, statistically speaking it is unlikely that your case will be dismissed. Every case is different and every outcome may be different. In our firm we are willing to give you an idea of a range of likely outcomes based upon the facts of your case, as well as the charge itself, the particular court you may be in and the prosecutor you may be dealing with. We think that part of what we get paid to do is to use our vast experience to provide you guidance on what you are really facing. We won’t lie to you and offer you a sunny day if there are clouds in the sky, nor will we frighten you into taking a plea agreement just to get the case over with, if we believe that you should continue to fight for a dismissal, a better plea or a win at trial. Ultimately, while the case is pending we will tell you what we think is the likely outcome at various stages. Our opinion on those outcomes may change as the evidence rolls in or as the case progresses. We cannot promise what will happen, but may provide at least a pretty good idea of what is likely to happen based upon our vast experience. Our predictions of the outcome of a client’s case rarely fall outside the range that we predict and provide for the client. This is because our lawyers have done this for so long that we have a very good idea about what the outcome may be. Some cases are so strange or have so many variables that we just don’t know or have a good feel for the outcome. If this is the case, we will tell you.
No matter the case, if you’ve been charged with a criminal act, you need to seek legal help immediately and we will give you our thoughts. We are here to help you, so call (317) 687-8326 as soon as you can.
First of all, our initial consultation is always free. You may be able to learn quite a bit about your case and how we would defend it and what type of results you might expect from our consultation, because we spend as much time as necessary to discuss your case before you make a decision to hire us. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer who is essentially in charge of a major part of your life and perhaps your freedom is a huge decision. We are happy to talk to you in our office or on the phone so you can make that decision with as much information as possible.
Once you indicate that you have a desire to hire us, we will discuss cost. Our prices vary depending on a variety of factors. We charge a flat-fee, which means you will be given a quote that will be determined by our firm. Once you agree to pay this fee, there will be no further charges beyond the agreed-upon amount. You can pay upfront or in certain situations, we may agree on a payment plan that will usually require a substantial portion of the overall fee to be paid upfront (usually at least 50% of the fee) then we can usually work out a payment plan on the remaining balance. Factors that influence the price include how severe your charges are, how complex the case is, the number of pending charges, how urgent the matter is, the amount of investigation needed, prior criminal history, as well as a variety of other factors.
When you hire our firm, the Criminal Defense Team of The Criminal Defense Team, you are primarily paying for our reputation as criminal defense lawyers and trial lawyers. You are also paying for our time, experience, knowledge and know-how. To speak with our lawyers about using our services, contact us. The case evaluation is always free.
Certain offenses or convictions can cause a permanent mark on your criminal record. This can follow you around for years, affecting your future employment, housing, and education, as well as affecting your reputation. The expungement process can be used to seal your record from background searches and other public records. After one year has passed from the date of your conviction, you may be able to have certain crimes expunged from your record as if they legally did not happen. In other cases it may take as long as five years or more to seal a record. In some cases, the law does not allow a record to be sealed.
Contact our firm for a free consultation so that we can help you determine if you are eligible to have your records sealed.
When you’ve been arrested, your civil rights can be violated by unscrupulous or negligent officials. This includes police brutality, negligent medical professionals, invasion of privacy or violations of due process during an investigation, or injuries that can occur from an arrest. When your rights have been violated, it’s important you seek representation from our Franklin criminal defense lawyers. We have represented clients on civil rights cases all over southern and south-central Indiana.
Rule 7.4. of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct provides direction for any lawyer who wants to become a “specialist” in an area of law:
In order to become board certified in Indiana as a “Criminal Law Specialist” it requires that the attorney meet the criteria of the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The criteria to become board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy are rigorous. Only those attorneys who dedicate a high percentage of their practice to criminal defense, and who have acquired a high number of days in trial, will be even considered. Even then, the candidate must pass a difficult day-long test that is put together by some of the finest criminal lawyers in the nation. Not everyone passes this test, as failing the test is not infrequent. Even if the candidate passes the test, judges and other attorneys must provide confidential assessments of the attorneys skill-level and abilities in the area of criminal law to the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Becoming a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist is so difficult, and requires such a dedication to criminal law, that of the over 15,000 licensed lawyers in the state of Indiana, only 6 exist that hold that title. 5 of them — Andy Baldwin, Mark Kamish, Kathie Perry, Max Wiley, and Carrie Miles — work in our law firm for the Criminal Defense Team of The Criminal Defense Team, and collectively have been board certified for over 5 years.”*
Remember that, according to the Miranda rights, that you have the right to remain silent. This means you do not have to say anything to the police that will lead to your incrimination, so please keep that in mind during the process. According to the 5th amendment of the constitution, you do not have to answer any questions the police ask, especially after being arrested. You also have the right to a lawyer and should seek the help of an attorney as soon as you can.
Let a criminal defense lawyer do the talking for you-we have extensive training on the right things to do and say even while an investigation is pending before you are arrested. Talk to us first. Our help can be invaluable to you at this time. Contact us if you need assistance.
A public defender is a state-appointed attorney that comes to your aid if you are charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire an attorney. Often, public defenders get a bad name. However, just like anything else, there are good public defenders and bad public defenders. In our opinion, there are also good private lawyers and bad private lawyers.
If you are accused of a crime and want the best attorney or team of attorneys to represent you, then you should look into the credentials of the lawyer or law firm. How many cases do they fight to trial? How long have they been practicing? Do they work as a team? These are a few of the questions that you should be finding the answers to. Hiring the right lawyer to take care of your case is of monumental importance.
Few lawyers in the state of Indiana have the experience, skill, and knowledge to match up to our team of lawyers, whether they are public defenders or private lawyers.
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2900 E 96th St, Suite B, Indianapolis, IN 46240
150 North Main St, Franklin, IN 46131
23 S 8th St, Noblesville, IN 46060