Possible Court-Ordered Penalties for Felonies and Misdemeanors in Indiana

If you were recently arrested on felony or misdemeanor charges, it would be wise to review some of the possible penalties you will face in court if found guilty. The most common court-ordered penalties include probation, ignition interlock devices, electric monitoring, home detention, community service, legal fines, and more. Violating any court-ordered terms and conditions can result in a separate set of criminal charges, including actual jail time. Continue reading to learn about some common court-ordered penalties, and which steps to take next if you are facing criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Probation

For anyone facing a misdemeanor charge, it is common to be sentenced to probation in lieu of serving jail time. Probation is a “probationary period” in which defendants must comply with all laws and court-ordered rules, while also completing all court-ordered tasks before their probation period is up. This period can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the type of convictions. It can also involve routine visitation to a probation headquarters to meet with a court-assigned probation officer. A probation officer’s job is to supervise an individual’s behavior, activity, and progress. Violation of any probationary terms, such as skipping a scheduled probation meeting or coming up positive on a drug test, can put a person back in front of another judge for additional sentencing.

Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

A common outcome for a convicted individual is an ignition interlock device (IID), which is much like a built-in breathalyzer inside a car. This device is generally reserved for habitual offenders, and installed in a person’s primary vehicle for the purpose of preventing them from driving drunk. An ignition interlock device is near the size of a mobile phone and usually installed in a car’s engine. It locks the ignition and prevents the vehicle from starting up until the driver breathes into the device, and renders a BAC level that is lower than 0.04 percent. If the offender has a BAC higher than that, the car engine will not start up. If the device reads a test that is over 0.04%, it records it and prints it out to local authorities. It is often treated as a violation, which can result in more penalties.

House Arrest

In place of jail time or imprisonment, a judge may order an offender to home detention, also known as house arrest. Those sentenced to home detention are not permitted to leave their premises under any circumstances, other than for work, rehabilitation treatment, drug/alcohol classes, court-ordered services, doctor visits, and other pre-approved activities. In fact, they are usually mandated to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet, also called an ankle monitor, which uses GPS to monitor where an individual is located. Overall, the main purpose of house arrest is to prevent a convicted individual who is under state supervision from committing more crimes or being involved in more illegal activity.

Additional Possibilities May Include:

☑ Random Drug Testing
☑ Victim Impact Panels
☑ Alcohol / Drug Education
☑ Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
☑ And More

Indianapolis Criminal Defense That Fights For You

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for Indianapolis criminal defense that never stops fighting to preserve your rights and your freedoms. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your charges and the best strategies for defense. Contact us today to learn your rights and how to get started on your defense.

The Tough Reality Behind Underage Drinking Arrests

Juvenile Criminal Lawyer 317-636-7514

Juvenile Criminal Lawyer 317-636-7514

The summer is a time for outdoor fun and relaxation, and many friends and family spend this season enjoying outdoor activities like pool parties, barbecues, concerts, and more. And since alcohol consumption is a part of having fun and relaxing, many people like to add it to the entertainment. Unfortunately, this also includes those who are not yet old enough to legally consume alcoholic beverages. Although underage drinking is illegal, it is bound to take place anyway. So if an underage person is caught by law
enforcement, it will lead to an arrest.

If you were recently arrested for underage drinking, you are facing a list of potential consequences. Consequences that are much worse than how your parents will react to your arrest. Continue reading to learn what to expect from underage drinking charges, and the proper steps you need to take after an arrest to secure your future.

The Outcome of Arrest

In Indiana, an underage drinking conviction is a misdemeanor, which is any crime punishable by up to one year in jail. You can expect to lose your drivers’ license, and be sentenced to several court-ordered penalties like probation, community service, large fines, ankle monitors, random drug tests, and even jail time. In fact, if you are found with a false I.D. you are more likely to face some jail time. The extent of your penalties will be entirely up to the judge and prosecution.

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Aside from the general penalties of an underage drinking conviction, a misdemeanor can drastically change a person’s otherwise bright future. Teens and young adults arrested for this youthful mistake also face life-altering consequences. For instance, a criminal record can make it much harder to obtain college admissions and/or scholarships. It can also impact internship and job opportunities.

What to Do Next

The safest and most effective step towards minimizing the life-long consequences of an underage drinking charge is to hire an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer to professionally navigate your case. They have the knowledge, experience, and drive to build an impactful defense on your behalf, and work with the prosecution to reduce your charges and subsequent penalties as much as possible.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for experienced and aggressive Indianapolis criminal defense you can trust. He is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with decades of experience representing clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. If you or a loved one was arrested for underage drinking in Indiana, he can protect you from over-penalization and unfair sentencing conditions! Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.