Criminal Law Attorneys Near Me

Criminal Law Attorneys Near Me

If you are facing one or more criminal charges in Allen County, you should speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you can about your legal options. You may start by searching for “criminal law attorneys near me” and might even speak to a few to find the lawyer who is right for your circumstances. However, choosing representation in a timely manner can be vital to the outcome of your case. Your criminal law attorney needs to have sufficient time to prepare a defense, interview witnesses, and investigate the circumstances leading to your arrest.

When it comes to asserting a strong legal defense against a criminal charge, you should look no further than the experienced Fort Wayne criminal law attorneys at The Bellinger Law Office. Contact us online today for more information about how we could assist you with defending against your criminal charge.  

Criminal Felonies and Misdemeanors

Criminal offenses in Indiana are divided into two broad categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Of the two categories, felonies are the more serious crimes, typically punishable by one year or more of incarceration.

On the other hand, misdemeanors are offenses that are punishable by less than one year of incarceration, along with fines, community service, and other penalties. A criminal law attorney near me can assist with formulating a legal defense to both felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

Burden of Proof in a Criminal Case

In an Indiana criminal case, the defendant (i.e., the individual who is being charged) does not have to prove anything. Instead, the burden of proof rests with the state prosecutor to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, all of the underlying legal elements of the subject criminal charge or charges.

If the government is not able to satisfy even one legal element of the underlying charge, the charge may then be subject to dismissal. By arguing a strong defense to a criminal charge, the accused increases their chances of prevailing at trial.

Defenses to a Criminal Charge

The defenses that an individual could assert in response to a criminal charge depend primarily on the actual charge that the individual is facing. In other words, defenses that might apply to one criminal charge might not apply to another. Some common defenses to criminal charges in Indiana include the following:

• Entrapment by a law enforcement officer or investigator
• Constitutional violation
• Duress
• Self-defense
• Defense of others
• Mistaken identity
• Alibi

Knowledgeable criminal law attorneys near me can assist with raising any of these defenses in court. In some instances, certain defenses might not be applicable. When that occurs, your lawyer may be able to work with the state’s attorney to negotiate a favorable plea deal on your behalf. A criminal defense lawyer may also represent you at your sentencing hearing and argue that you deserve a lighter penalty in your case.

Speak with Trusted Criminal Law Attorneys Near Me Today

Facing one or more criminal charges in Allen County can be a stressful experience, and you may not know where to turn. The experienced legal team at The Bellinger Law Office can assist you with every aspect of your criminal case and can ensure that your legal rights remain protected. 

If you’re interested in scheduling a legal consultation and case evaluation with experienced criminal law attorneys near me, please contact us today to learn more about how we may be able to assist you.