Indiana Rape Defense Attorneys
Rape Allegations Require Immediate, Discreet, and Trial-Ready Defense.
Custom Law defends people facing Indiana rape allegations involving force, consent, capacity, identity, and felony enhancements.
Rape Charges in Indiana
Indiana law may classify sexual intercourse by force or threat, or intercourse with a person unable to consent because of mental disability or unconsciousness, as Level 3 felony rape. The allegation may rise to Level 1 when prosecutors claim deadly force, use of a weapon, serious bodily injury, or a date-rape drug.
Indiana’s age of consent is 16. A Romeo-and-Juliet exception addresses consensual conduct involving 14- or 15-year-olds and a partner no more than four years older, subject to statutory requirements and disqualifying facts.
Issues That Shape the Case
- Whether sexual contact occurred
- Consent and capacity to consent
- Use or threat of force
- Identity and DNA evidence
- Electronic communications and prior statements
- Age and any statutory exception
Indiana Rape Penalties and Time Limits
- Level 1 felony: 20 to 40 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
- Level 3 felony: Three to 16 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Statutes of Limitation
- Level 3 allegation involving a victim under 18: 10 years after the offense.
- Dependent victim: 10 years or four years after dependency ends, whichever is later.
- Victim age 18 or older: Five years.
- Level 1 rape: No statute of limitations.
DNA discovery or a confession may permit charges outside an otherwise applicable period.
Possible Defenses
Defense may involve innocence and alibi, mistaken identity, proof that no sexual contact occurred, insanity, legally valid consent by a conscious person at least 16 without intellectual disability, or a statutory Romeo-and-Juliet exception. The defense must examine physical evidence, forensic testing, communications, witness accounts, timelines, and inconsistent statements.
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.