If you’ve recently been charged with a crime, you might think you can handle the situation yourself or that you should just plead guilty to be done with the situation. However, criminal defense attorneys in Indianapolis serve a crucial role in the criminal justice system. Having a criminal defense lawyer can help you in crucial ways, including:

Protecting Your Legal Rights

Without legal assistance, you are at the mercy of the court, prosecution, and law enforcement. You might not understand your legal rights or options and could even be deprived of your due process rights.

Additionally, no one will be incentivized to help you if they are not operating under the belief that your lawyer might take the case to trial. This could mean that you are stuck with the harshest penalties for the crime you are charged with.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can explain the charges against you, identify the potential penalties, and give you tailored legal advice.

Seeking an Early Dismissal of Your Charges

It may be that law enforcement did not have probable cause to search your property and seize property that is used as evidence against you. Or the prosecution may not have sufficient evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An experienced defense lawyer can evaluate your situation to look for illegalities. They can take steps to protect your rights, including filing motions to dismiss the charges against you or to suppress evidence. They can also help explore alternative sentencing options that protect your long-term interests.

Determining the Defenses to Raise in Your Case

An experienced criminal defense attorney can identify the strongest defense arguments to make in your case. Depending on the nature of the charges against you and the situation, possible defenses could be:

Lack of evidence regarding the underlying crime
Lack of the required mental state
Mistaken identity
Bias or lack of credibility
Mistaken identity
Alibi
Self-defense
Intoxication

Negotiating for a Favorable Plea Deal

A lawyer can help negotiate on your behalf for a favorable plea agreement. For example, your lawyer can point out the inadequacies in the prosecution’s case and their intent to highlight them during your trial. They can request a reduction in your charges or advocate for a lighter sentence.

Representing You in Court

If you decide to take your case to trial, your criminal defense attorney can represent you in court. They can help move to have biased jurors dismissed from the jury, cross-examine witnesses, challenge the reliability of evidence, and make persuasive legal arguments on your behalf, culminating with a persuasive closing argument.

Call Us for a Free and Confidential Case Review

If you are facing any type of criminal charges in Indiana, contact The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC. Can help. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys have over a century’s worth of legal experience. We also have four of the state’s five board-certified criminal trial specialists who have demonstrated extensive knowledge and skill in this area of the law. We can explain more about your legal rights and the benefits of hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Contact us today at (317) 678-9853 for a confidential case evaluation.

Do I Need a Lawyer When I’m Charged with a Crime?