Tag Archives: Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney

What To Do After Receiving a Subpoena

Posted on by

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

A subpoena is a court-issued legal document that is typically received via postal mail. There are two types of subpoenas, both of which requires a recipient to provide evidence or information in court. The first type of subpoena requires a recipient to provide an oral testimony in court. The second requires a recipient to provide records and information to the court, such as documents, video recordings, audio recordings, and other forms of evidence.

Most of the time, subpoenas are issued for civil cases, such as car accidents, personal injuries, child custody, and divorces; however, it is not uncommon for subpoenas to be issued for criminal matters as well.

Were You Subpoenaed?

Now that you know what a subpoena is, you can learn how to manage yours. Do not be in fear of legal penalties when subpoenaed by the court. You will only face legal ramifications if you ignore the subpoena. Otherwise, a subpoena is simply a tool used by the justice system to gather evidence on both sides, prosecution and defense. If you received a subpoena, it is because the courts have credible suspicion that you have information relative to the case at hand.

For example, if you are a witness to a car wreck, you may be subpoenaed by the courts to provide your testimony so that the courts can establish fault. In another example, the courts may ask a husband to provide employment and payment records for the purpose of establishing an alimony agreement.

If you were subpoenaed, here’s what to do:

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

The first thing to do upon receiving a subpoena is to contact a lawyer. If you already work with a lawyer, or have worked with a trusted one in the past, contact them and inform them of the subpoena. Most often, attorneys will handle the details and requirements of subpoenas, and will inform clients of when and where to be if they need to provide testimonies in person.

If you wish to represent yourself, you must first contact the number on the subpoena, and inform the clerk that you are willing to cooperate. Then you can simply fill in the details of the subpoena, and send it in to the address provided. If you have to testify in person, simply record the date, time, and location of the court hearing so that you are in accordance with your legal obligation.

If you need to deliver a subpoena…

Sometimes, you, as a party, need to deliver a subpoena. Generally, you would hire a process server to deliver a subpoena to a recipient. Neither you, your lawyer, nor anyone directly connected to the case cannot deliver a subpoena. And keep in mind, if a subpoena is not properly delivered, it cannot be enforced. Process servers are good at finding people that are difficult to locate.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer Indianapolis IN

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to learn more about subpoenas in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you are involved in a criminal matter that requires your testimony, speaking with a seasoned Indianapolis criminal defense attorney can clear up any confusion or anxiety you have about the case and the information you retain. Protect your rights when involved in a subpoena request. Call 317-636-7514 to get started today.

How to Find a Great DUI Lawyer

Posted on by

Criminal Defense Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

DUI cases are challenging. It takes a really good lawyer to get you a better outcome than the maximum penalties for your crime. If you were recently arrested and now facing drunk driving charges, don’t trust a public defender to do the job you’re looking for them to do, and don’t trust just any lawyer. You need a criminal defense attorney that retains the qualities and credentials that make them great. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for finding a great DUI lawyer.

What to Look For:

✤ Experience

Experience says a lot about a lawyer. The more experience they have, the more knowledge they have about the local criminal processes, procedures, laws, ordinances, and all other aspects of the criminal justice system in your town. You want to look for criminal defense attorney that have at least 10 years of experience in your state. This generally indicates they know which arguments are successful in court, and most likely, have long-standing relationships with the local court houses and prosecutors.

✤ Testimonials and Reviews

Look around online for local criminal defense lawyers, and then research their client testimonials and customer reviews. This will give you a good idea of which lawyers are reputable in your area in which are not so popular or experienced quite yet. Aside from online testimonials and customer reviews, you one also ask around. Ask friends, family members, and coworkers if they have any recommendations for a good criminal defense attorney. Only ask people that you trust since DUI charges are a sensitive topic that is usually kept confidential, especially at work.

✤ Consultations

It is recommended to look around for law firms that offer consultations to discuss their services and your case. It is a good sign if you find a lawyer who is willing to meet face-to-face, and an even better sign that they offer to do so for free. In fact, free consultations is a common service offered by most criminal defense law firms. Ones that don’t offer free consultations may be questionable.

✤ Cases Won

Track records are important to look for when looking for criminal defense representation. Choose an attorney with a good track record, one with multiple DUI cases won. If they don’t have some case history available for clients to see, or they refuse to provide such information, they may be questionable to work with.

✤ Website

Is a criminal defense lawyer is serious about their career, they usually have a website. Look at websites to learn more about lawyers and their practice. Websites generally have information about office locations, contact information, practice areas, case history, testimonials, pictures, and much more. This is helpful when deciding on a criminal defense attorney to represent your drunk driving case.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 if you need a DUI lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has decades of experience representing clients in DUI cases, and works around the clock to ensure your rights are protected in your freedoms are preserved. Regardless if you are criminal charges are misdemeanor or felony DUI offenses, he is eager to help you avoid the maximum penalties for your crime. Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with a trust in Indianapolis criminal defense attorney, today.

Common Drug Crime Terminology

Posted on by

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Criminal Defense Attorney 317-636-7514

Within the criminal justice system, there are laws at both the state and federal levels that prohibit the possession, sales, and manufacture of illegal substances. Common illegal substances include drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. If you are facing criminal drug charges for possession, trafficking, or manufacturing of an illegal substance, you will soon be meeting with your attorney. And as you start building your defense, you will likely come across several terms and legal jargon that may confuse you.

Continue reading to learn some common drug crime terminology you can expect to come across during the criminal justice process.

Controlled Substance

If the use and distribution of a medication or drug is governed by law, it is classified as a controlled substance by federal and state governments. These governments categorize all the different types of controlled substances by assigning them to a certain “schedule.” The different drug schedules represent the seriousness, danger, and risk of addition of a certain drug. The most serious drugs are Level 1 substances, like Marijuana and Heroin. The least serious are Level 5 drugs, such as codeine.

Trafficking

When a person is charged with the crime of selling, delivering, or distributing a controlled substance, it is called trafficking. On the streets, it is known as drug dealing. Generally, those facing trafficking charges also face between 3 years to life in jail. However, the level of punishment will vary depending on the:

➔ Type of Drug
➔ Amount of Drug
➔ Location of Crime
➔ Criminal History
➔ Age
➔ And More

Manufacturing

Engineering, cultivating, or producing an illegal substance is called drug manufacturing. And it is highly illegal in the United States. Cultivation is the process of growing, possessing, or producing naturally-occurring elements for the purpose of making an illegal substance. Chemically-produced drugs that are developed in labs include LSD (acid), cocaine, and meth.

Possession

The most common drug crime in the United States is possession. Being in possession of an illegal substance is against the law. This means a person cannot have illegal substances anywhere on their person, including underneath clothes and inside bags and vehicles. Possession charges can get tricky since there are many loop holes in the law. It is important to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer manage your case professionally.

Diversion

Many people arrested under the influence of an illegal substance are court-ordered to attend a diversion program. Diversion programs are meant to teach people about the dangers and corruptions associated with using illegal drugs. Often times they are ordered in place of jail time. Diversion programs include drug and alcohol abuse classes, victim impact panels, community service, and more.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense

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 for reputable drug crime lawyer in Indiana. He handles a wide range of felony and misdemeanor criminal charges for both adults and minors. He also offers free initial consultations, so be sure to schedule yours today! Just call 317-636-7514 to speak with an Indianapolis criminal defense attorney you can trust.

What To Do After Your Child is Arrested

Posted on by

Juvenile Criminal Lawyer 317-636-7514

Juvenile Criminal Lawyer 317-636-7514

It’s natural for parents to want to be there for their children at all times, whether for monumental life steps and special occasions, or all the small things in between. And when things get rocky, parents want to make everything better for their kids. This is especially true when kids get into serious trouble. Kids are young and inexperienced, and bound to make mistakes. So when children are beginning to approach an age where they can break the law and be penalized for it, it is important for parents to educate themselves on what to do if their child
is ever arrested for a crime.

Arrested Minors

There are three ways a minor is arrested for a crime. They are either arrested at the scene of the crime, summoned to appear for a court hearing for a crime, or issued a warrant for their arrest for being a suspect of a crime. Most often, minors are arrested at scene. If the crime is something minor and traffic-related, like driving with a suspended license, the officer may choose to be lenient and let them off with a summons for court, rather than taking them to jail. But for more serious infractions, minors will be handcuffed, read their Miranda rights, and taken to jail for processing.

Common crimes for minors include shoplifting, vandalism, truancy, trespassing, underage drinking, drug possession, and more. If a minor commits a crime, but not caught at the scene, they will be issued a warrant for their arrest, and must surrender to authorities to face their charges, or face additional legal penalties. For example, if a teenager robs a grocery store and gets away, but the entire crime was caught on tape, an arrest warrant will be issued for their arrest.

What to Do as a Parent

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Once you have custody of your child again, usually after their arraignment is concluded, it is important to immediately retain the services of an experience criminal defense attorney. They have the knowledge and resources needed to build a strong defense for your minor, giving them the best possible chance of avoiding maximum penalties. They will guide you through the entire legal process, doing all that they can for your child’s case. And they will ensure you are doing everything right as well.

Do not opt for a public defender to save money. They generally have many cases to see to and cannot give your child’s case the special attention it deserves. When it comes to your child’s reputation and future, it’s not worth taking the risk. Hire a trusted criminal lawyer to protect your child’s rights and preserve their freedoms instead.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana

Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis Attorney at Law at 317-636-7514 if your child was arrested in Indianapolis, Indiana. He provides comprehensive criminal defense for minors facing criminal charges for misdemeanor and felony crimes. Attorney David E. Lewis will work around the clock fighting for your child’s rights. Call 317-636-7514 to discuss your legal matters with an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney you can trust.