CRIMINAL CHARGES CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER

Facing a criminal charge can be one of the most challenging times in someone’s life, especially if they believe they are innocent of the charges. According to a report on the Indiana state government’s website, more than 54 percent of the criminal cases filed in 2015 were misdemeanors, which are the least severe criminal charges one can face. This is not to say these charges don’t have consequences for defendants and their families. Criminal allegations can send your life into a tailspin, and you could lose wages from your job if you can’t make it to work because your criminal defense is keeping you away at court.

There are a variety of criminal charges you could face under Indiana state law. Below are just a few of them that could have drastic effects on your life and those you love.

• Sex crimes. Rape is the most commonly known form of sex crime, but Indiana law recognizes a variety of sex crimes involving children. Child sexual assault, child solicitation, intercourse with a child, and possession and exploitation of child pornography are just some of the acts Indiana pursues that have severe penalties for those convicted of these crimes.
• Burglary. Indiana defines this as breaking and entering into a building with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside. This includes home invasions, which are much more severe under Indiana law.
• Robbery. You merely need to take something from someone’s possession, regardless of the alleged victim having true ownership, to be charged with robbery in Indiana. The inclusion of weapons in perpetrating this felony criminal offense only leads to steeper penalties.
• Battery. Indiana defines battery as “touching someone in a rude, insolent or angry manner,” meaning you could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony if you intentionally touch someone without permission. If you acted only in self-defense, you’ll still need to defend yourself against these charges.
• Domestic violence. There are an array of charges considered domestic violence under Indiana law, including harassment, criminal trespass, kidnapping and criminal confinement.
• Drunk driving. If you were pulled over and tested for blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or greater, and are older than 21, you could face a charge of driving under the influence. Indiana law treats drivers younger than 21 more harshly, with those blowing just 0.02 BAC with the same DUI charge as someone over the age of 21 blowing a 0.08.
• Drug dealing. Depending on the Controlled Dangerous Substances schedule and amount of the substance, the type of drug you are accused of distributing will determine the severity of the crime. The severity increases if you’re found distributing near a school, public housing or youth center.
• Drug possession. As with drug dealing charges, if you’re found near a school or similar institution in possession of a drug, you could face steeper penalties.
• Handguns/firearms crimes. These charges include being caught with a weapon when a previous felony conviction restricted your right to one. You don’t need to discharge a firearm to face the possibility of a felony firearms conviction, you just need to use one in a manner that breaks the law.
• Juvenile delinquency. These are criminal acts committed by people younger than the age of 18. According to Indiana’s government website, more than 20 percent of all cases involving juveniles in 2015 were attributed to juvenile delinquency.