If you have been charged with assault, an experienced Indianapolis assault lawyer can be your greatest ally when navigating Indiana’s criminal justice system. Wruble Law LLC is a top Indianapolis criminal defense law firm with 25 years of combined experience bringing tough criminal cases to trial, including numerous jury trials, from misdemeanor or felony charges to felony assaults under Indiana criminal law.
Why Choose Wruble Law LLC To Help With Your Assault Charge?
Working with Wruble Law LLC means you can rest assured that you have some of the best criminal lawyers fighting on your side and protecting your rights throughout the legal process. Our Indianapolis assault attorney understands the complexities of Indiana law and the judicial system and can offer you a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case with a lawyer in Indianapolis. Our dedicated criminal defense team provides quality legal representation to clients facing serious criminal charges, including violent crimes and alleged crimes involving serious bodily injury.
We also help clients move forward with their lives through the Indiana Second Chance Law expungement process, which legally seals your criminal record. Because expungement eligibility can change with new laws in Indiana, it is critical to have an attorney review your unique history. If you have past cases across different areas, you must file an expungement request in every county with records—and they must all be filed within a strict one-year window. Once your petition is granted, expunged records do not need to be disclosed to most employers, giving you the ultimate protection to confidently apply for new jobs and rebuild your career.
Start today by calling (317)-308-8584 or contacting us online to receive legal help pertaining to criminal cases with experienced Indianapolis assault lawyers who regularly handle assault matters alongside drug crimes, DUI cases, drunk driving offenses, traffic violations, and other related offenses. We conduct thorough criminal investigations beyond police reports, review evidence presented, and develop a strong defense strategy to achieve the best outcome for your case.
What Is Assault In Indiana?
In Indiana, assault is found under Title 35-43-3-1 under the Indiana Code, and these criminal charges are addressed through Indiana courts found under Battery and Related Offenses, often requiring the guidance of a skilled battery lawyer or an experienced defense attorney who understands serious charges and legal issues related to assault.
At its most basic, battery is when someone “touches another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner; or in a rude, insolent, or angry manner places any bodily fluid or waste on another person” forming the basis of an alleged criminal offense that may involve reasonable fear of harm.
This is why having experienced criminal defense representation is essential to navigate the complexities of Indiana criminal law, especially in Marion County, Hamilton County, or Johnson County, where cases are frequently handled.
Why Does Battery Have Such A Specific Definition?
Battery is defined in such a way as to encompass a broad range of offensive physical contact or actions that can cause harm or discomfort to another person. Notably, Indiana does not have a standalone assault statute, meaning all unwanted physical contact is prosecuted as battery.
By including various forms of touching, the statute aims to address different scenarios where an individual intentionally engages in offensive conduct toward another person. The state categorizes these offenses based on the severity of the contact:
- Class B Misdemeanor: Battery involving basic offensive touching with no injury.
- Class A Misdemeanor: Battery resulting in minor injury, which can lead to up to one year in jail.
- Level 6 Felony: Battery offenses that can result in up to two and a half years of imprisonment.
- Level 5 Felony: Battery resulting in serious bodily injury, which carries a maximum of six years in prison.
The defendant’s actions are evaluated against the prosecution’s case, including witness statements and other evidence. This definition helps ensure that acts of physical aggression, even without causing serious injury, can still be recognized as criminal offenses and are subject to legal consequences and penalties, separate from personal injury claims or family law matters.
Experienced Indiana criminal defense representation that protects constitutional rights from the start is essential to navigate these issues effectively.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Accused Of Assault?
If someone accuses you of assault or you are charged with a crime, it is important to take the following steps:
- Remain Calm: Stay composed and avoid escalating the situation further if you’re still in the presence of the accuser. Reacting with anger or aggression can worsen the circumstances and potentially lead to additional legal consequences, such as additional criminal charges or jail time. Clear communication with your assault defense lawyer is crucial during this time to protect your rights.
- Do Not Make Statements: After someone has accused you of assault or brought law enforcement to you, refrain from making any statements to the accuser or the police without the presence of an Indianapolis attorney. Anything you say can be used against you in a criminal proceeding, so invoking your right to remain silent until you have legal representation is best, especially when dealing with allegations brought by a former prosecutor or seasoned law enforcement officials before an arrest takes place.
- Gather Evidence: Collect evidence that may support your defense, such as witnesses, surveillance footage, or any relevant documentation. This evidence can be crucial in challenging the accusations, raising reasonable doubt regarding the alleged criminal conviction, and building your case with a criminal defense team. Defense attorneys conduct independent investigations rather than relying solely on police reports, which is key in evaluating your case and negotiating with prosecutors to seek reduced charges or favorable plea agreements.
While these tips just cover the tip of what to do after someone accuses you of assault, they lay a critical foundation for success if your assault case escalates and heads for trial within the criminal justice system, especially when facing misdemeanor or felony charges.
Enlist An Indianapolis Assault Attorney to Defend You In Your Assault Or Battery Case
With a more extensive understanding of assault and its legal depths, you still might have some nagging questions. Whether it’s about evidence, witness reliability, your criminal record, your legal options, the duration of the case itself, or an upcoming court hearing, you can get all your questions answered and begin to put this case behind you with strong representation from an experienced Indianapolis assault defense lawyer and the entire team.
With Wruble Law’s free, no-obligation case review, you’ll have access to a team of Indianapolis assault lawyers ready to aggressively defend your rights, including in sex crimes, domestic violence cases, and related cases. We offer free consultations, so contact us today or call us at (317)-308-8584 if you are in the Indianapolis area or Central Indiana.