Facts About the Cost of Going to Jail

Posted on December 9, 2022 by admin

How much does it cost for a person to go to jail in Indiana? This is a question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer, as the cost of incarcerating someone can vary greatly depending on the county in which they are imprisoned. However, according to recent data from IN.gov, the average daily cost of jailing an inmate in Indiana is $52.61 per day. This means that the annual cost of imprisoning someone in Indiana averages out at around $19,202.65.

These costs are absorbed by taxpayers and come in the form of court fees, police salaries, housing costs, health care-related expenses, and other associated costs. The cost of incarcerating someone is significantly higher than the cost of providing early intervention services such as mental health treatment or drug abuse programs that could improve an individual’s chances for rehabilitation.

Continue reading to learn more.

To Speak With a Certified Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyer, Call 317-636-7514 Today!

How Much Does Jail Cost in Indiana?

The cost of jail in Indiana is an expensive burden to bear for those who are incarcerated. In addition, the costs associated with the incarceration process can be quite high, depending on the length of time spent behind bars, the types of services or programs needed while in custody and other factors.

In Indiana, one of the primary expenses associated with incarceration is the cost of housing an inmate. Jail space must be paid for in most cases and this cost can range from $20 to $100 per day, depending on the institution and its type. This means that a person serving a lengthy sentence could incur thousands of dollars in costs just to remain behind bars.

In addition, there are also additional costs associated with Indiana’s incarceration system. For example, inmates may be required to pay a fee for medical care, treatment and/or counseling while in jail. In some cases, an inmate’s family may also be charged fees related to visitations or other services they receive while in custody.

Finally, those who are convicted of a crime in Indiana must pay restitution to the victims involved in their cases. Restitution payments can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars and must be paid in full before an individual is released from custody.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer to Reduce Incarceration Costs

The cost of incarceration in Indiana can be a significant financial burden for those who have been charged with or convicted of a crime. It is important for those who are facing incarceration to understand the potential costs associated with the process in order to ensure they are fully prepared to handle them. In addition, consulting a qualified criminal defense attorney can help individuals better understand their rights and legal options before going to trial. With proper guidance and representation, individuals may be able to minimize the financial consequences of an incarceration sentence.

Are you facing criminal charges that will most likely post jail time in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a meeting with an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney who can get you the best possible outcome for your case. We can hold meetings over the phone or in person at our Indy-based office.

How to Reduce Your Indianapolis Criminal Charges

Posted on August 11, 2022 by admin

Ultimately, your number one goal after being arrested is to evade criminal charges. After criminal charges ensue, it is only natural to turn your focus on dismissing or reducing them. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help increase the chances of this happening.

Continue below to learn how to reduce your Indianapolis, Marion County criminal charges, including which criminal defense law firm is a top-choice for aggressive and skilled representation.

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Dismissal of Criminal Charges is Not Common

Although prosecution has the choice to drop your criminal charges either before or after they’ve been filed with the court, it is usually an unlikely outcome. Criminal charges are only dropped under specific circumstances, mostly as a result of insufficient evidence, but also due to factors like fourth amendment violations, which is when evidence is illegally obtained, like in the case of an illegally executed search warrant, as well as procedural issues, and resource issues. In some cases, prosecution may decide to tropical charges against the defendant. If they are willing to cooperate with law enforcement as an informant against another defendant or case.

Reducing Criminal Charges is a Strong Possibility

Compared to dismissal of criminal charges, reducing criminal charges is very possible. However, in order to have your criminal charges reduced, it is important to start out with the right representation. Although public defenders do society a service, it is not recommended to choose free legal representation when facing criminal charges. Public defenders have very high caseloads and cannot spend enough time working on each case with specific intent.

A private Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer can put their focus on your case and do everything it takes to lessen your criminal charges and therefore protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. Basically, if you want to avoid jail, hefty fines, and loads of community service, you need to hire a private criminal defense attorney. Without specialized and experienced criminal defense representation, it is very unlikely that the prosecutor will budge on your criminal charges.

Additional Factors to Consider When You Want to Reduce Your Criminal Charges

A plea bargain, or plea deal, is the key that will unlock your opportunity to reduce your criminal charges in Indianapolis. In order to be offered a reasonable plea deal, you will need seasoned criminal defense representation. A private criminal attorney can build you a strong and impactful defense against your charges, and ultimately convince the prosecutor to be more lenient. Not only can you jail time, but you can also avoid excessive hours of community service, rehabilitation programs, home detention, thousands of dollars in fines, and much more.

The lesser your criminal charges, the more promising your future. It is important to avoid jail time, especially if you have children or people who depend on you. Spending time in jail can put your job in jeopardy, plus create all sorts of social and domestic obstacles. It is in your best interest to have your criminal charges significantly reduced so that you can maintain the best possible quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Money Should Not Be a Concern

Many people choose to forgo private legal representation due to money or budgeting problems, but there is no price for freedom and peace of mind. Invest in yourself and your loved ones by paying out of pocket for private criminal defense in Indianapolis. A reputable criminal defense law firm will work with you on payment plans so that you can enjoy your freedom without going into debt or making any financial sacrifices.

Are you looking for a trusted criminal defense law firm in Indiana who can help you reduce or dismiss your criminal charges? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney in Indianapolis, Indiana. We can meet over the phone, via online video conference, or in person at our office.

How a Pretrial Diversion Program May Reduce Your Sentence

Posted on March 15, 2022 by admin

If you have recently been arrested in Indiana on drug-related criminal charges, whether on a state or federal level, you can bet on one thing: the penalties will be harsh. Indiana has zero tolerance for drug crimes, so if you are facing drug charges right now, you can expect to be sentenced to jail time, fines, community service, random drug screening, probation, and more. You might even be court ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation clinic or substance abuse program.

However, you may be able to reduce your drug crime. Criminal sentence by doing a pretrial diversion program. Continue reading to learn more about pretrial diversion programs, including how to determine your eligibility in Indiana.

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Pretrial Diversion Programs in Indiana

What is a pretrial diversion program? Well, it is an effective and beneficial alternative to the harsher criminal penalties that are traditionally handed down for drug crimes in Indiana. Although pretrial diversion programs may be offered to all sorts of defendants facing a wide range of criminal charges, they are particularly helpful for those facing drug charges in Indiana.

Someone facing drug charges is likely somebody wrapped up in the illicit drug world, whether as a recreational user, abuser, addict, or trafficker. People in these situations are not in a place, neither financially or, mentally, to take on legal obligations like heavy fines and jail time.

The state recognizes this problem by offering legal alternatives to such penalties. In cases that qualify, a pretrial diversion program can be offered to a drug charge defendant as an alternative to going to jail and paying thousands of dollars in fines. In return, the defendant must comply and complete the program with flying colors.

How a Pretrial Diversion Program Works

A defendant (and their lawyer) works with the state prosecutor to come up with an alternative plan of punishment for committing a drug crime in Indiana, known as a pretrial diversion program. In most cases of pretrial diversion programs, some form of rehabilitation or treatment is included as part of the agreement. Additional elements of a pretrial diversion program will vary from case to case, but most include:

▢ Routine Probation Officer Meetings
▢ Random Drug/Alcohol Testing
▢ House Arrest/GPS Ankle Monitoring
▢ Mandatory Curfew
▢ Court-Ordered Therapy

Although every pretrial diversion program is different depending on the defendant and the unique circumstances of the criminal charges, most will come to an end between one and three years. It is important to have a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer in Indianapolis on your side when fighting for your chance at entering into a pretrial diversion program after being charged with a drug crime in Indiana.

Looking for a criminal defense lawyer to fight your drug charges in Indiana right now? Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for aggressive and experienced criminal defense for drug crimes in Indianapolis, Indiana. We can hold meetings over the phone, via online conferencing, or in person at her Indianapolis office.

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How to Reduce Your Criminal Charges

Posted on June 11, 2021 by admin

After being arrested, the reality soon sets in. No one wants to face serious consequences or legal penalties that go along with being charged with the crime, let alone be convicted of one. Because once convicted, a person tends to face a whole other set of challenges in life, like applying for jobs, entering the dating world, applying for loans, sending in college application forms, signing a lease of the landlord, and much more. A criminal record can impact all of these areas of life and more. As a result, most criminal defendants immediately look for ways that they can reduce, or better yet dismiss, the criminal charges they are facing.

If you are currently facing criminal charges and seek to reduce or dismiss them, continue reading to learn tips on how to do so and where to get started on your defense.

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Plea Bargains and Plea Deals

Plea bargains and plea deals are the same. No matter what you choose to call them, plea bargains are a legal agreement that can truly help the outcome of your criminal case. A plea bargain is your number one method of reducing your criminal charges. Typically offered by the prosecution, but sometimes also the judge or presiding magistrate, plea deals are generally a common element of every criminal case. Most criminal defendants are offered some sort of plea bargain to reduce their criminal charges or subsequent penalties.

Plea Bargain – A deal made between prosecution and criminal defendant for the purpose of abating maximum penalties and subsequent legal consequences for the criminal conviction they face. Basically, each side gives up something to receive something in return.

How a Plea Deal Can Help You

A plea deal can help you in many ways. Most often, a plea deal involves the prosecution agreeing to not bring your case to trial, and therefore, not subject you to the fullest conviction for your charges. Although you make a deal to plead guilty for the criminal charges, your charges are lowered and you are granted leniency when it comes to the scheduled legal penalties for such charges, such as jail time, license suspension, probation, house arrest, fines, and more.

Has it been more than 3 years since you were charged with a Class D felony in Indiana? A new law has passed that may allow you to reduce this charge to a Class A misdemeanor. Contact an Indiana criminal appeals lawyer to determine your eligibility.

Not All Cases Involve Plea Deals

Keep in mind that plea deals are not offered in every single criminal case, as they must be approved by the court. For this reason, it is vital that you hire a private Indianapolis Indiana criminal lawyer to build a strong and impactful defense against your charges. They can either dismiss your criminal charges altogether, or get you the best plea deal possible.

Avoid the maximum penalties for your criminal charges by hiring a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Indiana. Contact Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free case evaluation, today.

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Is it Possible to Get My Criminal Charges Reduced in Indiana?

Posted on January 19, 2021 by admin

After an arrest, your first thought is, “how much trouble am I in?” So, it is no surprise that one of the most common questions among criminal case defendants is, “can I get my charged reduced? Or better yet, dropped?” If you are wondering whether or not it is possible to get your criminal charges reduced in Indiana and avoid jail time completely, you are already on the right path. It is important to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms, and we will tell you what you need to know.

Continue below to learn about felonies and misdemeanors in Indiana, as well as their current sentencing schedules.

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Most Crimes are Classified as Misdemeanors and Felonies

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors are not as serious as felonies, but they are still criminal offenses, nonetheless. Misdemeanors are categorized from Class A to Class C, with Class A being the most serious, and Class C being the least serious misdemeanor. Regardless of seriousness, they can all affect several aspects of a person’s life, including finances, driving privileges, renters’ agreements, housing, financial aid benefits, employment, professional reputation, child custody, and more. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

Felonies

A felony is a serious crime because it is a federal crime, or crime against the federal law. Felonies come with harsher penalties as a result. If you are facing a felony conviction in Indiana, it is vital that you hire a private Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer to protect your rights and keep you out of jail. Felonies are categorized on a spectrum from least serious to most serious, from Level 6 Felonies to Level 1 felonies, and then murder at the very top as the highest felony, and in its own category.

Level 6 felonies are punishable up to 3 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, and several other court-ordered penalties. Level 6 Felonies are typically called “wobblers” because they can often be reduced to a Class C Misdemeanor if the defendant has no priors. Level 1 and 2 felony crimes are the most serious levels, excluding murder.

How to Reduce Your Indiana Criminal Charges

If you are charged with a misdemeanor crimes or felony crimes in Indiana, it is vital to speak with an experienced and skilled Indianapolis criminal lawyer you can trust. Your next moves can drastically impact the overall outcome of your case, and the well-being of your future! Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to discuss the most effective legal strategies and defenses for your Indiana criminal case. We offer free consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligation to learn more about your charges and possible penalties. Schedule your consult over the phone, via video conference, or in-person at our Indiana criminal defense law firm

Is it Possible to Reduce My Criminal Charges?

Posted on January 24, 2017 by admin

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One of the most common reasons why defendants retain criminal defense representation is to avoid the maximum penalties for their charges. This includes fighting to reduce their criminal charges and the consequences that come with them. So yes, it is possible to reduce criminal charges, however, this does not mean that everyone will have theirs reduced. All cases vary, and the chances of reducing criminal charges and avoiding maximum penalties for them depend on a long list of factors. These factors are wide-ranging, but definitively include one’s criminal history, the state the crime was committed, and the severity of charges.

Plea Bargains

One of the most common strategies used to reduce criminal charges is an agreement called a plea bargain. A plea bargain is basically a deal that is arranged between the prosecution and the defense in which each party “gives something up” in exchange for something they want. For example, the prosecution might offer lesser charges (giving up the opportunity to prosecute at the fullest extent of the law) in exchange for a guilty plea by the defense (who gives up pleading non-guilty).

In order to get to the place of initiating a plea bargain, the court must first agree to it as well. A judge or magistrate of the court must review the plea bargain and sign off on it before it can be implanted by the defense. This way, the courts know a defendant was not coerced in any way to plead guilty to their criminal charges.

Aggressive Criminal Defense

It is important to know that plea deals work differently among jurisdictions, as well as, courts, magistrates, and more. Each case is unique so one strategy might not work for another. It is vital to retain experienced and aggressive criminal defense for the best chance at avoiding maximum or unfair penalties for your criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Attorney

David E. Lewis Criminal Defense Attorney

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

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to discuss the best strategies of defense for your Indiana criminal charges. Our law firm works around the clock, using every resource in our power, to protect our client’s rights and preserve their freedoms. Call 317-636-7514 today and schedule a free initial consultation to get started on an impactful and strong defense against your criminal charges in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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