Experienced Rape Attorney in West Lafayette, IN
A criminal accusation of rape can have immediate and lifelong consequences on your reputation, your employment, and your freedom. You need an experienced and fierce West Lafayette rape lawyer to advocate for you. Your lawyer can assess your options for defense and guide you through the process of a case, working to minimize or prevent the consequences of a conviction.
Because the consequences of a charge for rape can occur far before a criminal case, it’s important to find an attorney as soon as you are aware of an investigation or accusation.
West Lafayette Criminal Defense Lawyer at The Criminal Defense Team
You need an effective team to advocate against rape charges in West Lafayette. At The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley P.C., five of our attorneys are Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists, and they are five of the six total criminal trial specialists in the state.* One of our attorneys is a former prosecutor with experience on major felony cases.
Our team has more than 100 collective years of legal experience, and we brainstorm cases together to further make use of that experience.
When you are facing a case at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse building, we can handle each part of your case to make this difficult situation easier for you. We can navigate complex discovery, and we handle cases in teams of two attorneys and one paralegal. That way, you get multi-faceted and in-depth legal support for your defense case. We offer responsive and accessible legal care, including 24/7 availability of an on-call attorney rotation.
*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.
What Is Considered a Rape Offense in West Lafayette
In West Lafayette, under Indiana law, rape occurs when someone intentionally and knowingly has sexual intercourse with someone else or causes another person to engage in sexual conduct, and any of the following is true:
- The other person was being forced or under the threat of force.
- The other person was unaware the conduct was occurring.
- The other person is mentally disabled, and this prevented them from giving consent.
- The other person tried to physically, verbally, or otherwise visibly refuse the conduct and was ignored.
Rape is a Level 3 felony. When there are certain aggravating circumstances, it becomes a Level 1 felony. Aggravating circumstances include any of the following:
- There was the use or threat of deadly force.
- The alleged offender was armed with a deadly weapon.
- The offense results in serious bodily injury to any person other than the alleged offender.
- The alleged victim was under the influence of a controlled substance without their knowledge, which allowed for the offense to occur, and the alleged offender either provided the individual with the substance or knew about the substance.
In Tippecanoe County, there were 182 sex offenses from 2022 to 2025 reported by the Management Performance Hub (MPH) working with the Indiana State Police. Eight of these offenses, or 4.4%, were rape offenses. Fifty-six offenses, or 30.8%, were sexual assault or sexual battery offenses. Thirteen offenses, or 7.1%, were offenses for sex with a minor.
If you have been charged with a rape offense, it is essential that you hire a rape lawyer to help defend against these charges and protect your future.
Potential Penalties for Rape
If you are convicted of rape, you could face penalties like:
- Imprisonment: A Level 3 felony can result in three to 16 years of imprisonment, while a Level 1 felony can result in 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.
- Fines: A conviction can result in up to $10,000 in fines.
- Loss of rights: Being convicted of a felony can lead to the loss of voting rights, gun rights, and more.
- Restitution. On top of fines, you may have to pay restitution to the victim. When the offense leads to pregnancy, restitution is required.
- Sex offender registry: You will likely have to register as a sex offender. This can limit your employment, your housing, and other aspects of your life.
- Criminal record: Having a criminal record can affect your life in many ways, limiting job, educational, and housing opportunities.
Avoiding criminal conviction is the most effective way to avoid these consequences.
FAQs
What Is Considered Sexual Assault by Law in Indiana?
Sexual assault under Indiana law is any conduct that is a sex crime or incest under state law, or is a crime under federal law, another state’s law, or the law of an Indian tribe that is similar to Indiana sex crimes. Sexual assault is also the attempt to commit a sex crime. Indiana sex crimes include rape, sexual battery, sexual misconduct with a minor, unlawful employment by a sexual predator, child exploitation, child molesting, and sex offender internet offense.
Is Sexual Assault a Federal or State Crime?
Sexual assault is usually charged as a state crime, but there are cases where it can become a federal crime. It might be charged as a federal offense if the crime occurs on federal property, crosses state lines, or the victim was in federal custody. Federal offenses are incredibly serious and can carry severe penalties.
What Proof Is Required for Sexual Assault?
The proof that is required for a sexual assault criminal case can vary, although the prosecution must make a case that shows the crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt. Proof in a sexual assault case might include the alleged victim’s statement, medical treatment records, police reports, witness statements, texts between the alleged victim and offender, photographs of injuries, and forensic evidence.
Do All Sexual Assault Cases Go to Jail?
No, not all sexual assault cases go to jail. A strong defense could result in charges being dismissed or dropped, or could allow for a plea deal for lesser charges. Without a strong defense, sexual assault cases are more likely to result in prison time rather than jail time, but this depends on the severity of the offense. In Indiana, most sex crimes are felonies.
Hire a Rape Lawyer at The Criminal Defense Team
There are ways to defend against rape charges. The right attorney can assess how to effectively poke holes in the prosecution’s case and safeguard your future. The Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists at The Criminal Defense Team can help you determine the ideal defense and advocate for you. Reach out to our team today.