Indiana Violent Crime Attorneys
Serious Allegations Require Immediate Investigation and Trial Preparation.
Custom Law defends Indiana battery, intimidation, strangulation, kidnapping, confinement, manslaughter, homicide, and murder cases.
Violent Crime Charges in Indiana
A confrontation, misunderstanding, disputed identification, or escalating conflict can lead to allegations carrying years or decades in prison. Early investigation may preserve recordings, witness accounts, physical evidence, electronic communications, and self-defense evidence before they disappear.
Assault-Related Offenses
- Battery under §35-42-2-1, ranging from Class B misdemeanor to Level 2 felony.
- Intimidation under §35-45-2-1, ranging from Class A misdemeanor through felony levels.
- Harassment under §35-45-2-2, described as Class B misdemeanor.
- Criminal recklessness under §35-42-2-2.
- Strangulation under §35-42-2-9, described as Level 6.
Kidnapping and Confinement
Kidnapping under §35-42-3-2 begins at Level 6 and may rise through Levels 5, 3, or 2 based on the victim, vehicle use, injury, weapon, ransom, hostage, or related purpose. Criminal confinement under §35-42-3-3 is generally Level 6 with fact-specific enhancements.
Homicide Charges and Penalties
- Voluntary manslaughter, §35-42-1-3: Level 2 when a knowing or intentional killing occurs under sudden heat.
- Involuntary manslaughter, §35-42-1-4: Level 5 in specified predicate-offense circumstances.
- Reckless homicide, §35-42-1-5: Level 5.
- Murder, §35-42-1-1: 45 to 65 years and up to $10,000; life without parole or death may apply when statutory aggravators are proven.
- Attempted murder: Level 1.
General Sentencing Scale
Class C carries up to 60 days and $500; Class B 180 days and $1,000; Class A one year and $5,000; Level 6 six months to 2½ years; Level 5 one to six; Level 4 two to 12; Level 3 three to 16; Level 2 10 to 30; and Level 1 20 to 40 years, with felony fines up to $10,000.
Defending a Violent-Crime Case
Defenses may involve reasonable and necessary self-defense or defense of others, mistaken identity, alibi, lack of knowing or intentional conduct, accident, unreliable witnesses, or insufficient evidence. We investigate the scene, injuries, recordings, communications, forensic evidence, and the events leading to the confrontation.
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.