Indiana Criminal Defense Attorneys
A Criminal Charge Can Change Everything. Your Defense Starts Here.
An arrest or accusation can put your freedom, career, license, and reputation at risk before the case is resolved. Custom Law represents people facing criminal charges in Hamilton County and across Indiana, building focused defenses around the facts, the law, and what is at stake for each client.
Criminal Defense When the Stakes Are Personal
No one expects to be handcuffed, arrested, or ordered to appear before a judge or jury. Yet ordinary people find themselves facing criminal accusations every day. Whether the case begins with a traffic stop, a probation allegation, or a federal investigation, a conviction can affect the accused person, their loved ones, and opportunities years into the future.
Our criminal defense lawyers are former Central Indiana prosecutors who believe every person is entitled to the strongest defense available. That experience provides insight into how the State investigates, charges, negotiates, and prepares a criminal case.
What May Be at Risk
The consequences of a criminal case can reach well beyond the immediate court date. Depending on the accusation and the person’s circumstances, the case may place several parts of life at risk:
- Freedom and the possibility of jail or prison
- Expensive fines, court costs, and probation conditions
- A driver’s license or professional credentials
- Employment and future career opportunities
- Reputation and relationships with family
- A permanent criminal record
A Defense Built Around Your Priorities
Our attorneys work one-on-one with clients to understand what led to the charge and what outcome matters most. That may mean challenging an unlawful stop or search, seeking dismissal when justified, working to reduce charges when the facts support it, protecting driving privileges after an OWI, keeping a theft conviction from limiting a career, or preparing to defend a serious felony at trial.
Your life should not be permanently defined by one mistake, a misunderstanding, or a false allegation. Custom Law evaluates the evidence, explains realistic options, and builds a strategy intended to protect your rights, freedom, and future.
Criminal Penalties in Indiana
Indiana criminal offenses are divided by severity into misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are lower-level offenses, but their possible consequences are still significant. Felonies are more serious offenses that can carry more than one year in prison.
Misdemeanor Penalties
Indiana misdemeanors may include offenses such as marijuana possession, petty theft, public intoxication, and OWI. The maximum penalties include:
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Class C misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Felony Penalties
Examples of felony allegations may include aggravated battery, vehicle theft, certain firearm offenses, rape, manslaughter, and murder. Indiana felony sentencing ranges include:
- Level 1 felony: 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Level 2 felony: 10 to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Level 3 felony: Three to 16 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Level 4 felony: Two to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Level 5 felony: One to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Level 6 felony: Six months to two and one-half years of incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000. In qualifying circumstances, a Level 6 felony may be entered or reduced as a misdemeanor.
Collateral Consequences
In addition to incarceration and fines, a conviction may affect employment, loan eligibility, and other areas of daily life. Possible collateral consequences include:
- Loss of the right to own a firearm
- Immigration or citizenship consequences
- Loss of professional credentials, including a medical license or CDL
- Difficulty obtaining affordable housing
- Negative effects in child-custody proceedings
How a Defense Strategy Takes Shape
A strong defense begins with a careful review rather than assumptions. Our attorneys examine the charging documents, reports, recordings, witness accounts, searches, stops, statements, and other available evidence.
- Understand the situation. We listen to the client’s account, identify immediate concerns, and explain the next steps.
- Test the State’s case. We evaluate whether the evidence supports every required element and whether police and prosecutors followed the law.
- Identify realistic options. Depending on the facts, those options may include challenging evidence, pursuing dismissal or reduction, negotiating a resolution, or preparing for trial.
- Protect what matters most. The strategy may account for freedom, driving privileges, employment, family obligations, reputation, and long-term record consequences.
No attorney can guarantee an outcome. What clients should expect is direct advice, careful preparation, and a defense shaped around their circumstances.
Prepared for What Comes Next
What to Expect from Custom Law
Criminal defense requires more than a quick review of the charging paperwork. Our attorneys look at how the investigation started, how evidence was obtained, what the State must prove, and how the case may affect the client outside the courtroom.
Drawing on more than 20 years of legal experience, former-prosecutor insight, and extensive courtroom work, the team develops a tailored approach for negotiations, hearings, or trial while keeping clients informed from start to finish.
Former Prosecutor Insight
As former Indiana prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys know the tactics that may be used against an accused person. The team has handled countless criminal cases and hundreds of successful jury trials.
Prepared for Court
We organize the facts, analyze the law, and prepare each matter with the possibility of hearings or trial in mind.
Direct Communication
Clients receive clear explanations, candid advice, and updates needed to make informed decisions throughout the case.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
From day one they treated my case like it mattered. They fought hard, kept me informed, and got my charges dismissed. I can't recommend this team enough.
James R.
True trial attorneys. The prosecutor clearly did not want to face them. Professional, prepared, and genuinely on my side the whole time.
Michael T.
Responsive, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. They handled my OWI charge with skill and got me a result I didn't think was possible.
David K.