Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tippecanoe County
If someone is charged with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, it can be hard to understand how the charges will impact their future. In Indiana, prosecutors often work quickly to secure witness interviews and forensic testing to build their cases. From Lafayette to West Lafayette and Dayton to Battle Ground, local criminal charges can carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom, and it would be wise to hire a Tippecanoe County criminal defense lawyer.
About The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C.
At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C., our attorneys exclusively practice criminal defense law throughout Indiana. Our lawyers typically team up when representing defendants in serious criminal matters. With at least two lawyers and a paralegal reviewing evidence and brainstorming strategy, clients benefit from team representation rather than high-volume legal services.
The attorneys at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C., represent just five percent of Indiana lawyers who have earned Board Certification as a Criminal Trial Specialist. Currently, there are five active Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists practicing in Tippecanoe County and throughout the state of Indiana.
Our lawyers have more than 100 years of collective criminal defense experience. Our team includes one former prosecutor who gained experience prosecuting serious felonies and homicide cases. Understanding how prosecutors investigate and build cases can be advantageous when developing legal criminal defense strategies and working to identify holes or weaknesses in the state’s evidence.
Where Criminal Cases Are Heard in Tippecanoe County
Criminal cases in Tippecanoe County are heard at the historic Tippecanoe County Courthouse, 301 Main Street, in downtown Lafayette, which houses the county’s Circuit Court and all seven Superior Courts. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Tippecanoe Circuit Court (the county’s court of general jurisdiction since 1826) shares responsibility for major criminal cases, including serious felonies, with Superior Court 1 and Superior Court 2. The remaining Superior Courts handle a mix of criminal, civil, juvenile, and other matters, so where your case lands depends on the charge you’re facing. If you were arrested in Lafayette, West Lafayette, or anywhere else in the county, your case will move through this same courthouse. There is no separate criminal court for West Lafayette or Purdue-related arrests.
Defendants who are taken into custody are typically held at the Tippecanoe County Jail on Duncan Road in Lafayette, operated by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, until an initial hearing where a judge advises them of the charges and addresses bail or release conditions. Those first days move quickly. Having a Tippecanoe County criminal defense lawyer involved before your initial hearing means someone is already working on your release conditions and preserving evidence while the prosecution builds its case.
Indiana Criminal Defense Laws
Indiana criminal laws outline serious penalties for a variety of offenses. Felony offenses are divided into six different levels, including Level 1 Felony, Level 2 Felony, up to Level 6 Felony. Misdemeanor offenses are also broken down into classifications.
Indiana Code § 35-33 covers many of the procedures related to criminal prosecutions, arrests, and pretrial matters. Indiana Code § 35-41 covers general definitions related to criminal law, including defenses, culpability, and liability.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
When people are suddenly arrested or accused of crimes, it’s natural to want to know what comes next. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer, you can learn more about the specific accusations, potential defenses, and what you might be up against if you decide to go to court.
Building a criminal defense takes time and attention to detail. Our lawyers work as a team to collaborate on case strategy and evidence review. That team-based approach allows us to divide up heavy workloads so we don’t miss important details. Whether you have hours of video, thousands of documents, or complex forensic evidence involved in your case, we have the resources to thoroughly review every aspect of your case.
We also believe that good communication is critical. Your case will always receive our personal attention. Our Tippecanoe County criminal defense attorneys work in shifts so we can always have a lawyer available to take your call, even outside normal business hours. We make sure to listen to our clients and families so they can make informed decisions about their cases.
Serving Every Community in Tippecanoe County
Our Tippecanoe County criminal defense lawyers represent clients across the county, including Lafayette, the county seat, where criminal cases are heard in the Tippecanoe County Courthouse and the Circuit and Superior Courts. We also defend students, faculty, and residents in West Lafayette, home to Purdue University, where a criminal charge can carry academic and disciplinary consequences on top of the criminal case itself. Whether your arrest happened in Battle Ground, Dayton, Clarks Hill, or one of the county’s smaller communities and townships, your case will move through the same Tippecanoe County court system, and our team knows how those courts work.
FAQs
What Happens After Someone Is Arrested in Tippecanoe County?
Once someone is arrested, they are usually booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and advised of the charges against them. Depending on the circumstances, bail or release conditions may be set by a judge at an initial hearing. Prosecutors often continue their investigation after criminal charges have been filed. Criminal cases can progress rapidly through the initial stages.
Will My Employer Find Out About Impending Criminal Charges?
Employers or potential employers can sometimes learn of criminal charges because they are part of the public record. Thus, they may uncover them by conducting a background check or searching the courts. In addition, some employers mandate that employees disclose arrests and pending charges as part of company policy or a licensing requirement.
Can Someone Be Charged Even if There Is No Physical Evidence?
Yes. Prosecutors can indict based on witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, or electronic evidence, even if there is minimal physical evidence. However, a lack of physical evidence can still be a key issue for defense. Cases built on presumptions, he-said-she-said, or circumstantial evidence can be called into question on reliability, credibility, and whether prosecutors will be able to prove the entire case beyond a reasonable doubt.
What Should I Avoid Doing After Being Charged With a Crime?
Most people harm their case after criminal charges have been filed by speaking to the media, posting on social media, calling witnesses, or talking to investigators without an attorney present. Anything you say on the phone, through text messages, or online can be used against you. You may need to be careful about your communications until the case is over, especially if the police are still investigating.
Contact The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C., Today
Facing criminal charges can disrupt your life and the lives of your family members. You have the right to hire a lawyer and understand your legal options. If you have been arrested or think you are under investigation, call us today to discuss your situation.
The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley, P.C., serves clients throughout Tippecanoe County and all of Indiana. The firm houses five of Indiana’s six total Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists in the state. Just as you would not hire any doctor to handle your medical issues, but would contact a specialist, treat your legal matter the same way. Contact us today to begin reviewing your case.
*Andrew Baldwin, Kathie Perry, Kelly Pyle, Maxwell Wiley, 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.