Continue reading to learn what you can do to help your own criminal case, including who to trust to build you a strong and impactful defense to avoid the maximum penalties for your charges.

Indiana Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

If you are facing criminal charges in Indiana, your fate is mostly in the hands of the state prosecutor’s office since they have complete discretion over giving you a plea deal, and what goes into the agreement altogether. This is another reason why you must choose a seasoned and qualified lawyer for your defense; they are likely to have longstanding relationships with the local prosecution and magistrate community.

When it comes to prosecution giving you a plea deal, there are various factors that influence their decision. Such factors include criminal history, behavioral conduct with law enforcement, substance abuse, severity of crime and whether or not it involved bodily harm to another person, and more. It may seem like there is nothing you can do to alter their decision-making process, but that is not true.

Here are two things you can do that might help your case:

❶ Create a Sentencing Memorandum

Your criminal defense lawyer can draft a document referred to as a “sentencing memorandum”, which basically illustrates an accurate depiction of your life and who you are as a person. Topics to include in this document include your employment, level of education, goals, contribution to the local community, explanation of your criminal history, reason for committing the alleged crime, conduct since the arrest, role as a partner, spouse, parent, or legal guardian, and similar personal details about your life. This document can show the prosecution that you are not defined by your alleged crime, nor a threat to your community.

❷ Gather Character Reference Letters

Another great way to improve the outcome of your criminal case is to gather a collection of character reference letters from important members of your family, friends, co-workers, employers, and local community. These letters should be written by those you trust to be honest, yet supportive of your reputation. Examples of people to ask for character reference letters include employers, teachers, professors, mentors, friends, children, and even religious leaders. Within these letters, you would need to also include forms of verification, such as employment records, school transcripts, college acceptance letters, certificates and awards, attendance logs, doctors’ letters, and more.

Get Aggressive Criminal Defense in Indiana

Contact David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to start building a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges so that you have a chance at avoiding the maximum penalties for your suspected crimes. Our Indianapolis criminal defense law firm offers free initial consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligations to you. Get started protecting your future, today.

In life, regardless of age, you must choose your peers wisely. That is because the short answer to the question, “Can I Still Get Arrested Even if I Was Not the One Committing a Crime?” is yes. It is true that your presence alone could be enough to get you arrested and charged with a crime, even if you are innocent. You see, there are such offenses that permit law enforcement to arrest anyone who is in a “place of common nuisance.” The criminal charge for being present in a place of common nuisance is aptly referred to as, “visiting a common nuisance.” Furthermore, there is even a crime referred to as, “maintaining a common nuisance.”

Continue reading to learn more about these offenses, what to look out for, and how to avoid the maximum penalties for such criminal charges.

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

A Place of Common Nuisance

A “place of common nuisance” is considered to be any private property in which illegal activity is actively taking place. A place of common nuisance can be any structure, including houses, vehicles, apartments, hotel rooms, boats, and any other privately-owned residence. The most common types of crimes that occur in a place of common nuisance are the consumption and selling of illegal substances and paraphernalia. This includes street drugs, stolen merchandise, firearms, and medication.

Visiting a Place of Common Nuisance

Anyone person who knowingly attends a place of common nuisance is committing a crime, and if caught, can be charged with the offense of “visiting a common nuisance.” Individuals can be arrested and charged with this crime without actually taking part in any illegal activity. Here is an example:

A girl begins dating a new guy, and visits his apartment for the first time. He lives with two other male roommates. His roommates sell illegal drugs and partake in drug use at the apartment at all times. If she were to be visiting her boyfriend’s apartment while police show up, she too could be arrested just for being somewhere where illegal activity is taking place. This rings true even if she did not partake in any drug usage or trafficking.

Maintaining a Common Nuisance

If a person permits someone, or a group of people, to partake in illegal activity in their own home or vehicle, they can be charged with “maintaining a common nuisance.” Imagining the same scenario as before, the boyfriend can be charged with maintaining a common nuisance for allowing his roommates to sell and use illegal drugs in the home. Similarly, if the girl lets her new boyfriend use drugs in her apartment, she could be arrested and charged with maintaining a common nuisance. The same applies to parents who allow their children to drink underage or use drugs in their home.

Facing Criminal Charges in Indiana?

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

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense lawyer, David E. Lewis. He will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation for Indianapolis criminal defense, today.

INDIANAPOLIS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

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Here’s What You Can Do to Improve Your Criminal Case