Fishers Attempted Murder Attorney
Attempted murder is a serious criminal charge, and it can carry penalties that change the course of a person’s entire life. If you think you may be facing attempted murder charges, or if charges have already officially been filed, a competent, experienced Fishers attempted murder lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice process and defend your constitutional rights.
Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C. – Premier Criminal Defense Team
Being convicted on criminal charges is life-altering, so when you face serious accusations, you need a serious attorney to defend you. At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., we work tirelessly in defense of our clients. Our firm has the unique distinction of employing five of Indiana’s six Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists.
This certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy is only conferred upon attorneys who pass an in-depth written exam, build trial experience in the courtroom, and receive positive reviews from both judges and other attorneys.
We also have an attorney in the firm who used to be a prosecutor and has firsthand experience from the prosecution’s side for murder cases and other major felonies. This gives us a helpful perspective on prosecutor strategies, allowing us to anticipate and counteract the prosecution’s moves during a criminal trial.
When you choose us to defend you against your criminal charges, you also get constant access to legal assistance from an attorney. We have a lawyer on call for our clients around the clock because we know that legal emergencies are not limited to weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What Constitutes Attempted Murder in Indiana?
Indiana does not have a particularly high violent crime rate, with a total of 381 murders recorded for 2024. Still, violent crimes like murder and attempted murder do happen. According to Indiana law, attempted felonies should be charged at the same felony level as the offense the accused person was trying to commit. Murder is treated a bit differently. Attempted murder is charged as a Level 1 felony.
In order for an attempted murder charge to stick, the accused person must have taken concrete steps toward committing murder. For example, a person could be charged with attempted murder if they assaulted another person with the intent to kill (probably resulting in serious bodily harm) but were ultimately unsuccessful. Another clear-cut example would be if someone shot another person with the intent to kill them, but the victim survived.
Penalties for Attempted Murder in Indiana
A Level 1 felony in Indiana usually results in an extended prison sentence and possibly a fine. According to the Indiana Code, Level 1 felonies are punishable by 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 or less.
In many cases of attempted murder, other felonies or serious misdemeanors are also committed in the course of the criminal activity. For example, a person who shot someone else may also face firearm violation charges, especially if they should never have had the gun in the first place. A person who broke into someone else’s home in the course of an attempted murder would probably also face burglary charges.
So, even though penalties specifically for attempted murder are limited to those prescribed for a Level 1 felony, many attempted murder scenarios result in more than one criminal charge and more than one potential sentence.
Hire an Attempted Murder Lawyer
In the United States, you are free to represent yourself in court. In many cases, you can also use the services of a court-appointed defense attorney when facing criminal charges. However, neither of these options is ideal. Most people without a formal law education do not have the knowledge or experience it takes to effectively defend against attempted murder charges.
If you are facing attempted murder charges, the first thing you should do is find and hire an attempted murder lawyer. Bringing your attorney into the situation as quickly as you can allows them to begin the legwork of building your defense immediately, sometimes before official charges are even filed.
FAQs
Can I Be Charged With Both Aggravated Assault and Attempted Murder?
Yes, you can be charged with both aggravated assault and attempted murder. If a person commits assault with a deadly weapon, and they intended to kill the other person but did not succeed, that scenario provides grounds for both attempted murder and aggravated assault charges, which may carry separate convictions and separate sentences.
If I Receive Multiple Prison Sentences, Can They Run at the Same Time?
If you are convicted of multiple crimes and face multiple prison sentences, they may run concurrently (at the same time) or consecutively (one after the other). Whether the sentences run at the same time or back to back is up to the judge in your case, who may consider your prior criminal record and the circumstances of the offenses when making that decision.
Can an Attorney Successfully Defend Against Attempted Murder Charges?
Yes, it is very possible for a criminal defense attorney to successfully defend a client against attempted murder charges. There are several approaches an attorney could take, including asserting that their client did not intend to kill the victim, arguing that their client did not understand their actions at the time, or even arguing that their client is not responsible for the offense at all, such as in cases of mistaken identity.
How Much Does an Attempted Murder Lawyer Cost?
The cost to hire a lawyer to defend you against attempted murder charges can vary greatly, even in a small geographical area. Whether you look in Fishers, Lebanon, or Westfield, you are likely to find a wide variety of rates. Attorneys usually set their own hourly fees. Most operate by taking a retainer fee to begin a case and then billing their actual hours against that initial deposit.
Contact A Fishers Attempted Murder Lawyer At The Criminal Defense Team
If you are facing attempted murder charges in Fishers, the Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C. can help you defend your future in court. Contact us today to discuss your case and talk about what we can do for you.
Disclaimer: *Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Maxwell Wiley, Kelly Pyle, and Michael C. Cunningham are Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists, as certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Find out why having a Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialist as your defense lawyer is important here.