Common Questions About Criminal Defense Attorneys

Posted on March 2, 2018 by admin

When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, the first thought that usually comes to mind is to hire a lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer is an offender’s best opportunity at avoiding the maximum penalties for their criminal charges, including jail time. Every case is different, and varies among people and counties. But in all criminal cases, the most important step you can take as an offender facing jail time is to hire the right criminal defense lawyer. This is a critical to protecting your rights, preserving your freedoms, and securing a happy future.

Continue reading to learn some important answers to common questions about criminal defense attorneys, so that you can make the best decision for your legal defense and pending criminal case.

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Do I Really Need a Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you want to avoid jail or have your charges dropped or reduced, you need to hire a criminal lawyer. You can opt for a public defender, but you have a stronger chance at dismissing criminal charges or entering into alternative sentencing agreements by using private defense.

What Will a Criminal Lawyer Do that a Public Defender Can’t Do?

Public defenders often work for larger firms, and do not do the investigation and research on their cases themselves. Instead, paralegals and investigators do most of the work, leaving the public defender out of the loop on details about the case circumstances. This leaves them unqualified and unequipped to effectively fight a person’s criminal charges. A criminal lawyer does all the investigative research themselves, and personally commits to every detail of the case. This is just one reason why they are the most promising choice for defense.

All Criminal Defense Attorneys are the Same; Right?

No. There are many unqualified and inexperienced lawyers that may claim to have knowledge of a certain area of law, but not extensively enough to beat federal or state criminal charges. It is important to find an attorney that has several years of experience and that has represented cases similar to yours, successfully. Be sure the lawyer you hire is proficient in the particular area of law that your charges fall under.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Criminal Attorney?

When your life and freedom are on the line, don’t let money get in the way. It is important to never establish your decision on a criminal attorney based on price. Some law firms charge more than others, while some charge less than they should. If the price quote seems too good to be true from a defense attorney, it may be because they are inexperienced and trying to build their practice. Choose an experienced attorney that will get you the fairest possible outcome for your case, not an attorney with a cheap retainer fee. Your future depends on it!

Who Can I Talk to About My Case?

Never discuss your case with anyone except your defense lawyer or legal team. This is critical to the outcome of your case. Everything discussed among your defense team is confidential, but with anyone else, it’s not. It is especially important to not discuss your case with law enforcement officers. They are not your friends and anything you tell them can be and will be used against you in a court of law. If anyone tries to ask you about your case, including insurance adjusters, cellmates, coworkers, friends, family, and strangers. Simply remain silent, and if they persist, tell them you refuse to discuss anything without your lawyer present.

Call Criminal Defense Attorney, David E. Lewis

David E. Lewis Criminal Defense Attorney

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

If you do not already have a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer working on your case, you need one right away. 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 law firm offers free initial consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligations to you. Call 317-636-7514 and get started protecting your future, today.

Don’t Let a Criminal Charge Scare You Away From Fighting for Your Freedom

Posted on February 19, 2018 by admin

When facing a criminal charge, your life suddenly becomes up for debate. You just don’t know what the future holds until you receive that final verdict. For this reason, you need to ensure you have skilled and aggressive legal defense to protect your future and your freedom.

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Defense Attorney, David E. Lewis, Will Fight Your Indiana Criminal Charge Using Every Resource in His Power! When it comes to representing clients, he is the skilled Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who has what it takes to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms! You can avoid the maximum penalties for your charges with his aggressive legal representation!

What He Can Do For You

David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, provides aggressive criminal defense for anyone charged with a crime in Indiana. His office is based out of Indianapolis, but his legal services are available for all cities and counties within the state. He is a licensed defense lawyer with more than 25 years of experience practicing criminal law, and has developed an extensive understanding of the how the justice system works in Indiana.

He is Always Present for His Clients

He has a passion to reunite his clients with their loved ones so they can get back to leading a happy and law-abiding life after a distressing criminal case. Call his office at 317-636-7514 if you have been charged with a crime in Indianapolis. Whether your case is small or highly complex, Attorney David E. Lewis treats all cases as if they are his own charges, and maintains an unbreakable respect for his clients.

How to Get Started

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

For a more in-depth look at the Law Office of David E. Lewis, call our Indianapolis criminal defense law firm at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation. During this meeting, which is free of charge, you have the opportunity to sit down with Attorney David E. Lewis and discuss your Indiana criminal charges and the best strategies for your defense. Call as soon as today!

How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Defense Attorney?

Posted on September 18, 2017 by admin

If you are facing criminal charges, it is in your best interest to get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Not only will this better protect your rights and preserve your freedoms, it is the best strategy to avoid the maximum penalties for your offense. Many people are turned off, or stressed out, by the idea of having to hire a private lawyer because of budgeting reasons.

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The U.S. constitution may give you the right to public counsel, but this is not a great idea for anyone facing moderate to serious charges. Private Counsel is the best way to go if you want a better outcome and future for yourself. Don’t let money hold you back from moving forward with a happy and healthy, stress-free life. You simply cannot put a price on security and contentment. Continue reading to learn how lawyer costs are arranged, and what to expect to pay for your defense.

Variables That Influence Lawyer Costs

There are several factors that influence the amount of money it will cost to retain criminal defense. These factors are further varied depending on the state you live in and the local jurisdiction. Here are the primary factors, but not all, that impact the final cost of legal representation:

✦ Client’s Income – Your personal income determines whether or not you are eligible for public, court-ordered legal representation. However, sometimes your income can also influence how much a private criminal defense lawyer chooses to charge you for their service. You never know unless you ask.

✦ Investigatory Process – Depending on the severity of the crime and the seriousness of the case, your criminal defense lawyer may need to implement a certain level of investigation, including hiring experts, psychologists, doctors, researchers, chemical testing, travel expenses, and more. These costs will be added to a final bill.

✦ Lawyer Fees – A criminal defense attorney’s private rates are a key part of the total cost of legal representation. These fees will vary from law firm to law firm, as well as, lawyer to lawyer. They will also vary depending on several other factors, such as the skills and experience of the attorney, the severity of the crime, the complexity of the case, whether the case goes to trial or not, and more. Very few criminal defense lawyers charge a flat-rate fee for their services, unless it is a quick, open and close case, such as a traffic ticket.

Average Costs

Most criminal defense lawyers charge hourly, meaning every hour they spend on your case is billed to you. With all of the above-mentioned factors, you can expect your total cost of legal representation to range between $1000 and $4000, give or take. For more serious, lengthy cases, it can exceed $20,000 or more. Your criminal lawyer will be happy to discuss the expected total costs of their services upfront. Use an initial consultation to learn this information and prepare yourself for criminal defense.

An Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney You Can Trust

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

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your criminal charges with a seasoned Indianapolis criminal defense attorney you can trust. We work around the clock to ensure your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved. You can avoid the maximum penalties for your charges with our aggressive legal representation! Call 317-636-7514 to get started, today.

Social Media Tips to Avoid Incriminating Yourself

Posted on August 29, 2017 by admin

Your social media accounts are more than just a portal to connect to the rest of the world, they are admissible evidence in a court of law. Protect yourself with these tips.

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The word, “social” in “social media” is too often overlooked. Users forget just how “social” their accounts can be. Just like your criminal history, your social media accounts are permanent play-by-play records of your life. Whatever you post to a social media platform is public to the entire internet world forever, even if you delete something after it’s been posted. Organizations like law enforcement can access these records anytime, including Twitter, Facebook, Snap Chat, Instagram, and more.

For this reason, it is important to instill safe and appropriate social media use onto our youths, and to teach them how to protect themselves from abusers, predators, hackers, and even from themselves. You see, many people unintentionally incriminate themselves by using their social media accounts irresponsibly. Whether facing a minor traffic penalty, or 10 years in prison for drug trafficking, a court can and will use social media accounts to prove their case against you.

Helpful Tips to Protect Yourself

It is important to understand that whatever you post is permanent, and that your page settings have no influence over the capacity for law enforcement and the government to access them at any given time. You must also understand that these groups and organizations retain innovative technologies that allow them to identify IP addresses, dates, times, locations, coordinates, and more, making it easy to prove their cases in court. Your internet use is never private to the government, no matter what your privacy settings say or do. Accepting these truths is the first tip.

It is also important to know that courts can use the data they collect from your social media accounts as evidence to build a case against you. For instance, if you are a suspect in a petty theft operation, and you tell police that you were at home with your family at the time the crime occurred as your alibi, but later, police find a Facebook post that was posted around the time you claimed to be at home. So then they use their technology to identify the coordinates of where the post was made, and they discover that the post was made from the parking lot of the store that was shoplifted from. This post puts you at the scene of the crime, therefore contradicting and nullifying your alibi. They can use this as evidence against you in a court of law.

If you are facing criminal charges, and you fear that your social media account may influence the court’s decision over your case, it is important to tell your criminal defense lawyer at your first meeting. They need all the information they can get to build a strong and impactful defense on your behalf. It is also imperative that you stop using all social media accounts during your legal process. In conclusion, you must understand that nothing you post is private. All of your internet use can be traced by high-security technology used by government organizations and law enforcement, including your location and more. And it can all be used as evidence to convict you of a crime.

Get Aggressive Criminal Defense

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

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 for aggressive criminal defense in Indianapolis, Indiana. We work around the clock to ensure your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved. Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your case and the best strategies for defense. Call 317-636-7514 to speak with an Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who cares.

Can I Represent Myself in a Criminal Case?

Posted on July 25, 2017 by admin

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

When you are facing criminal charges, you have the vital responsibility to do what you need to do in order to avoid the maximum penalties for your offenses. Not only is it important for you to cooperate with the legal system, appear for all your court hearings on time, pay all fees by their deadlines, and file the necessary paperwork as requested, you also have the responsibility of learning about the charges you face and the seriousness of the associated consequences.

For this reason, it is vital to your future and your freedom to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you in court. It is never recommended to represent yourself under any circumstances, unless you are appealing a minor traffic infraction. Continue reading to learn some information about representing yourself in your criminal case, and why an attorney is the best method for avoiding the maximum penalties for your criminal charges.

First Offense?

Many people wrongly assume that first time offenders are always let off easy, so they can simply represent themselves in court and save a few hundred dollars. But this is a risky gamble to take, especially since it is not true. First time offenders are not always let off the hook that easy. There are infinite factors that play a role in the type of penalties a person is sentenced to in court; it all depends on the offense, the county, the personal discretion of the presiding judge, and much more. Anyone can be penalized to the fullest extent, and under any circumstances, unless they have aggressive and experienced criminal defense.

The Complexities of Law

To represent yourself in court, you would need a full understanding of the law. There is just too much to know and too much to learn for someone with no experience in the field. The law is very complex and convoluted. It takes an experienced attorney to protect a defendant in court because they have years of experience and knowledge of the law. Aside from understanding the law, you would also need to be an expert in legal defense and know which strategies to use, how to use them, and when to use them. It is an art form and talent that takes years of commitment on a learning curve. An experienced criminal lawyer retains all of these skills and more.

The Less Obvious Penalties

Aside from the standard penalties you face under law for your criminal charges, there are also subsequent consequences that many offenders do not prepare themselves for. For instance, some offenses can result in losing professional licenses, driving privileges, fines, restitution, and more. A qualified criminal defense attorney can help their clients navigate these residual obstacles after being charged with a crime.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to get the aggressive Indianapolis criminal defense you need to avoid the maximum penalties for your charges in Indiana. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your charges and the best strategies for defense. Don’t fall victim to the maximum penalties for your criminal charges. Let our law firm fight for your rights and protect your freedoms.

Indiana Has a Zero Tolerance Law for Underage Drinking

Posted on April 21, 2017 by admin

Underage Drinking Lawyer 317-636-7514

Teenagers face peer pressure every day. Whether on television, in the movies, at school, or among friends, teens are constantly influenced by what they see and hear around them. As a minor, one of the most common influences at this age is alcohol. It can be easy for them to give in to the adolescent theory that underage drinking is acceptable and there are no real consequences to worry about. But in Indiana, this is far from the truth.

There are real consequences to underage drinking in various aspects of life, including the law. Indiana retains a Zero Tolerance Law against underage drinking, so parents and guardians should do their best to educate their pre-teens on these laws to protect them from making dangerous choices with their peers.

Continue reading to learn more about the Indiana Zero Tolerance Law, and who to call if your teenager is facing criminal charges for underage drinking in Indianapolis.

Underage Drinking in Indiana

Teenagers under the age of 17 who are caught committing an alcohol-related offense will be tried in the juvenile court system. Consequences for possessing, consuming, purchasing, or transporting alcohol under the age of 18 generally include fines, restitution, probation, community service, substance abuse treatment, drug screening, victim impact panels, alcohol and drug education courses, counseling, and more.

Teenagers are not the only ones subject to criminal consequences for underage drinking. In Indiana, an individual must be 21 years of age to lawfully purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. For those who are 18, 19, and 20 years old, this can feel quite trivial since there doesn’t seem to be much separating them from lawful drinkers except a year or two of age. But the reality is, the law is the law, and underage drinking is set at a certain limit to protect people. Even if you are a few months away from being 21 years old, it is still against the law to consume, possess, transport, and purchase alcohol. And if you are caught, the legal consequences are worse than if you were 15 years old.

Defendants over the age of 18 can be charged with a Class C Misdemeanor, which is punishable by a $500 fine, 1 year license suspension, and up to 60 days in jail. Additional consequences may apply too, depending on priors, enhancements, and jurisdiction. That is why it is vital to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent your case. They have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help you avoid the maximum penalties for your criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law Firm

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

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 for aggressive and experienced criminal defense in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss the best strategies for defense against your criminal charges. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule your consultation with a trusted Indianapolis criminal lawyer, today.

Choose The Law Office of David E. Lewis for Aggressive Criminal Defense Representation

Posted on April 4, 2017 by admin

No Other Criminal Attorney Will Work Around the Clock to Build You a Strong and Impactful Defense Against Your Indiana Criminal Charges.

Seasoned Criminal Defense in Indianapolis

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

The Law Office of David E. Lewis is your solution to avoiding the maximum penalties for your Indiana criminal charges. He is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who retains extensive trial and litigation experience. But there is much more that separates himself from his industry competitors. For instance, his expert knowledge of criminal law, his sincere passion for helping those in need, and his commitment to maintaining affordable rates for everyone are just a few qualities that make the Law Office of David E. Lewis a top-choice for criminal
defense in Indianapolis.

The Crime Doesn’t Matter

Regardless of which criminal charges you face, there is never any judgement when you walk through our law firm’s doors. We strongly believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty. And you will be treated like part of the family as our client. But more importantly, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis and our legal team to work non-stop in order to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. Your best interests are a top-priority, and work hard to ensure they are defended.

Schedule a Free Consultation

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

Here at the Law Office of David E. Lewis, we gladly offer free initial consultations to discuss your criminal charges, the case against you, and the best strategies for defense. That means there is no out-of-pocket obligation to sit down with an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer and talk about your case. Just call 317-636-7514 and speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable legal secretaries who can walk you through the consultation process effortlessly.

Can a Security Guard Arrest Me?

Posted on March 13, 2017 by admin

The basic job description of a security guard is to observe, monitor, guard, and patrol a premises in order to prevent crimes and violence. Although arrests are not mentioned in their general job description, security guards can make arrests, or rather, detainment’s, but not in the same way as police officers can, and only under certain circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about security guards and the limits of their arresting authority.

The Job of a Security Guard

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Here are the general duties required of a security guard:

• Patrol and guard commercial premises;
• Prevent unlawful intrusions or trespassing;
• Circulate among patrons to maintain order;
• Write reports of daily activities and indiscretions they observe;
• Answer to and investigate sounded alarms;
• Monitor and authorize the coming and going of employees and patrons;
• Contact police or fire department in the case of emergencies and when crimes occur;
• Answer phones and take messages after-hours, or when switchboards are turned off;
• Operate detecting devices on patrons and employees to prevent unauthorized passage of materials into restricted areas;

Citizens Arrests

As you can see, a security guard has a lot of authority in terms of guarding and protecting, but their authority to arrest a person is limited. They are a private citizen just like the rest of us, just in uniform. So they cannot actually arrest a person like police can, but they do have the right to make a citizen’s arrest, just as we all do. However, a citizen’s arrest can only take place under certain, specific circumstances.

In contrast to police, who can arrest anyone they choose to arrest as long as they have reasonable cause to believe that person committed a public offense, security guards can only restrain and detain a person by citizen’s arrest if: 1) the offender committed a felony, or 2) the offender attempted to commit, or did commit, a misdemeanor in their presence. In the case of a felony, the offense must have actually been committed for a security guard to make a citizen’s arrest. In the case of a misdemeanor or infraction, the crime must have been made or attempted in the presence of the security guard.

On top of these circumstances, a security guard must also verbalize specific information to the offender while making the citizen’s arrest. This includes clearly explaining to the person that they are being arrested, why they are being arrested, and their authority to make the arrest. These are colloquially referred to as the magic words that must be used for a lawful citizen’s arrest. And the last stipulation for a security guard who makes a citizen’s arrest is to contact the police immediately after apprehending an offender and turn them over.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law Firm

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

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to speak with an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer who cares about your rights and your freedom. Our criminal defense law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your criminal charges and the best strategies for avoiding the maximum penalties for them. Call 317-636-7514 to get started, today.

Why You Never Waive Your Right to an Attorney

Posted on February 14, 2017 by admin

Indiana Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

When you are arrested as a suspect in a crime, before you are even officially charged your first priority should be to contact a licensed and experienced criminal defense attorney. Being charged with a crime is a very serious matter, regardless of the severity of charges or penalties. Whether you are caught shoplifting a stick of gum or driving while intoxicated, a criminal record is a serious matter that requires adept legal representation.

A lawyer has the skills, resources, and professional connections to work the best possible defense against your charges in order to protect your rights and preserving your freedoms. If you want to avoid the maximum penalties for your criminal charges, you need an attorney.

Public Defense

Although you have the option of choosing a public defender, who are also real lawyers, there are numerous downfalls for going that route. There are monumental differences between a public defender and a criminal defense attorney, and several advantages in using private counsel rather than public defense. But having legal representation either way is important, so be sure to never waive your right to an attorney if you are charged with a crime.

You Can’t Represent Yourself

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Thinking you can represent yourself in your criminal case is a major misconception. Anyone who does not professionally practice criminal defense is incapable of representing a criminal case successfully. There are various complexities involved, all of which vary themselves depending on the individual circumstances of the case. So taking the risk of waiving your right to counsel and losing your case can render severe short term consequences, but also ones that follow you throughout your entire life.

Criminal Charges Come With a Criminal Record

Criminal charges don’t just come with a list of penalties, like possible jail time, hefty fines, court fees, filing costs, probation, community service, suspended drivers’ license, and random drug screening. Criminal charges come with a permanent record. And a criminal record, regardless of its severity, can hold a person back from several opportunities in life, including viable employment, promotions, professional licenses, home ownership, proprietorship, governmental clearances, and much more. It can even implicate a couple’s ability to adopt a child. So it is important to handle a criminal charge it the most aggressive and sure-fire way, and that is to always take advantage of your right to hire an attorney. Never waive your right to counsel.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense

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

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you are facing criminal charges in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a licensed and aggressive criminal defense lawyer that will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms, regardless of the crimes you are charged with. Our Indianapolis criminal defense law firm offers free initial consultations to discuss your case and the possible strategies for defense. Call 317-636-7514 to get started on yours, today.

Is it Possible to Reduce My Criminal Charges?

Posted on January 24, 2017 by admin

Indiana Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

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 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.