The Role of a Felony Defense Lawyer

A conviction for a felony offense in Indiana can lead to a lengthy prison sentence and expensive fines. Additionally, having a felony conviction on your criminal record can make it extremely difficult to get a job, find a place to live, apply for college, and take advantage of other opportunities life has to offer, like constitutional right to vote and serve on a jury. That is why it is important to hire a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer to help you avoid the serious penalties that accompany a felony conviction.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony offense, Keffer Hirschauer LLP is committed to protecting your rights, reputation, and future throughout the legal process. As former deputy prosecutors, our felony defense attorneys have an extensive understanding of both sides of the courtroom to guide you through the complexities of your case and find any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you.

Indiana Felony Laws & Penalties

Felonies in Indiana are categorized as Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Level 1 felonies are considered the most serious, while Level 6 felonies are the least serious. A felony offense is defined as one that carries a potential penalty of more than one year in prison.

The following are the felony punishments by class:

• Level 1 felonies – Punishable by a prison sentence between 20 and 40 years, and a maximum $10,000 fine.
• Level 2 felonies – Punishable by a prison term between 10 and 30 years, and a maximum $10,000 fine.
• Level 3 felonies – Punishable by a prison sentence between 3 and 16 years, and a maximum $10,000 fine.
• Level 4 felonies – Punishable by a prison term between 2 and 12 years, and a maximum $10,000 fine.
• Level 5 felonies – Punishable by a prison sentence between 1 and 6 years and a maximum $10,000 fine.
• Level 6 felonies – Considered a “wobbler,” a Level 6 felony can be reduced to a misdemeanor or remain a felony, depending on the circumstances of the offense. Level 6 felonies are punishable by a sentence between 6 months in jail or 2 1/2 years in prison, and a maximum $10,000 fine.

When it comes to homicide cases, murder is an unclassified felony. A murder conviction is punishable by a prison sentence between 45 and 65 years or the death penalty, as well as a maximum $10,000 fine.

Put Our Felony Defense Lawyers on Your Side by Requesting a Free Consultation Today

Our firm handles the following types of felony cases:

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Robbery
• Rape
• Kidnapping
• Arson
• Larceny
• Vehicular homicide
• Forgery
• Aggravated battery
• Drug trafficking

When you hire us for your felony defense, we will conduct a thorough investigation, collect and assess evidence, and build a strong defense strategy to either get your case dismissed or your charges/penalties reduced. We’re here to fight for you.

Call (317) 857-0160 today to learn about your available legal options.