Indiana Simple and Aggravated Battery Lawyers
A Battery Charge Can Escalate From a Misdemeanor to Decades in Prison.
Custom Law defends Indiana simple battery, aggravated battery, domestic battery, and sexual battery allegations.
Battery in Indiana
Battery includes knowingly or intentionally touching another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner, or placing bodily fluid or waste on someone in that manner. Physical injury is not required for the base offense; even spitting may support an allegation. Accidental contact lacks the knowing or intentional element.
Simple Battery
Simple battery is generally a Class B misdemeanor. An allegation of bodily injury can elevate it to Class A misdemeanor.
Aggravated Battery
Under Indiana Code §35-42-2-1.5, aggravated battery involves injury creating a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, loss or impairment of a body member or organ, or fetal loss. It is Level 3 and may become Level 1 when an adult causes the death of a child under 14.
Related Battery Charges
- Domestic battery involving a family or household member
- Battery involving a child, dependent disabled person, or incompetent adult
- Battery involving a deadly weapon
- Sexual battery under §35-42-4-8
Battery Penalties
- Class B simple battery: Up to 180 days and $1,000.
- Class A battery causing bodily injury: Up to one year and $5,000.
- Level 6 domestic battery: Six months to 2½ years and up to $10,000.
- Level 3 aggravated battery: Three to 16 years and up to $10,000.
- Level 1 aggravated battery: 20 to 40 years and up to $10,000.
Domestic battery enhancements may involve prior offenses, a child’s presence, injury severity, a weapon, pregnancy, or vulnerable victims. Sexual battery is generally Level 6 and may become Level 4 with deadly force, a weapon, or covert drugging.
Defending a Battery Allegation
Defense may focus on self-defense, defense of another person, accidental contact, lack of intent, disputed injury, mistaken identity, false accusations, or insufficient proof. We examine recordings, photographs, medical records, witness accounts, prior threats, and the full context of the encounter.
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.