Local Criminal Defense Attorney in Lafayette, IN
No one starts their day expecting to end up at Tippecanoe County Jail. Whether you are accused of driving while intoxicated, assault, or another serious offense, your top priority should be to hire a Lafayette criminal defense lawyer to represent you in court. An attorney can review evidence and advocate for your interests. The right defense strategy could prevent you from facing the consequences of a serious criminal conviction.
Trusted Criminal Defense for Serious Charges
The experience and training of your defense lawyer can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
When you work with the award-winning lawyers at The Criminal Defense Team, you gain the support of dedicated lawyers, including five of the six Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists in the state, who bring 100-plus years of combined criminal defense experience. Please keep in mind that awards are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.
We take a collaborative approach to managing cases so the people we represent benefit from our team-based approach.
While other firms focus on moving high volumes of cases, we are selective about who we represent. That approach allows our legal team to allocate the time and resources that our clients deserve. If you were undergoing a complex medical surgery, you wouldn’t just trust any doctor with your life. The same holds true when your freedom is on the line. Trust our dedicated defense lawyers to provide you with the focused support your case deserves.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Lafayette
The crime rate in Lafayette is 21.48 per 1,000 residents in a typical year, and criminal charges in the area range from misdemeanors to felonies. Every day across the country, an average of 28 people are killed by drunk drivers. Local police remain vigilant for signs of intoxicated drivers along Sagamore Parkway North, Greenbush Street, and elsewhere.
Tippecanoe County also sees various types of drug crimes, from possession to distribution and manufacturing. Opioids remain the leading cause of overdose deaths in the state, and anyone found in possession of a controlled substance can face serious criminal charges.
Other common criminal offenses include:
- Domestic violence offenses
- Assault and battery charges
- Theft, burglary, and robbery
- Sex crimes
- Weapons and firearm offenses
- Murder and other violent crimes
After an arrest, suspects are transported to the nearest county jail, located at 2640 Duncan Road, or another holding facility for booking and processing. If the defendant is not a flight risk or danger to the general public, they may be released on bail while their criminal case plays out.
Proven Strategies for Contesting Criminal Allegations
The aim of any defense strategy is to counter the accusations and narratives of the prosecution. This can be done by closely examining the evidence to see where law enforcement may have violated your rights or the prosecution’s claims may be unsupported. One approach could argue that no crime was committed. If the accusations are unsubstantiated or you acted in self-defense, that could greatly weaken the state’s allegations.
Another approach could focus on criminal intent. Many white-collar crimes, for example, require prosecutors to prove that the defendant knew they were committing a crime. If a business deal went bad and investors falsely alleged fraud, that could lead to favorable outcomes for your case. The right defense could also be based on constitutional violations of your rights, which can lead to key evidence being suppressed.
Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
Facing a criminal charge in Lafayette is a serious matter that requires a strategic approach. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, you gain unwavering support from an experienced Lafayette criminal defense attorney who understands the state’s criminal defense laws and which criminal defense strategy can support your defense.
A defense lawyer can:
- Explain the criminal court process
- Explore viable defense strategies for contesting your charges
- Gather new evidence that counters the prosecution’s claims
- Determine whether your constitutional rights were violated
- File motions to suppress evidence when needed
- Find weaknesses in the state’s case
- Take your case to trial when necessary
When you hire a dedicated defense attorney, you can counter the accusations being made against you. An attorney can work toward a favorable plea deal or pursue dropped charges.
*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.
FAQs
What Types of Criminal Charges Are the Most Difficult to Defend?
Criminal charges that are based on substantial evidence are the most difficult to defend. That does not mean that there is not an effective defense strategy for those types of situations. An attorney can systematically chip away at the evidence by considering the credibility of the evidence and whether your rights were violated during the investigation, among other strategies.
Is It Worth Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
If you value your freedom and reputation, it can be well worth hiring a criminal defense lawyer. Without legal support, prosecutors could pressure you into accepting an unfavorable plea deal, or you may be found guilty of a serious crime. The job of a defense attorney is to balance the scales of justice in your favor by pursuing the right defense strategy.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of a Criminal Charge?
The two basic outcomes of a criminal charge are that you will either be found guilty of a crime or you will avoid a serious conviction. By pleading not guilty, you can pursue other outcomes to your case, which could involve reduced or dropped charges. In some cases, a favorable plea bargain can preserve your freedom.
What Should I Tell My Attorney?
If you are facing serious criminal charges, you should be open and completely honest with your defense attorneys. Anything that you discuss with your lawyer is protected by the attorney-client privilege, meaning anything you say is 100% confidential. By being forthcoming with your attorney, you can prevent them from being surprised by anything you withheld from your lawyer.
Protect Your Freedom by Contacting an Indiana Criminal Defense Law Firm Today
Being charged with a crime does not mean that you will ultimately face a serious criminal conviction. When you secure representation from The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C., you gain results-driven representation backed by more than 100 years of combined legal experience.
Our law firm is staffed by five of the state’s six Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists, a certification only held by 0.04% of defense lawyers in Indiana. When you are represented by our firm, we provide at least two lawyers to manage your case, along with a paralegal. Trust our legal team to remain accessible 24/7 to your questions and to take the time to scrutinize vast quantities of discovery when needed. Contact us today.