Jeffersonville, IN, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Get Legal Help if You Have Been Accused of a Crime

If you have been arrested and accused of a crime, you need all the help you can get. As soon as you are charged with a crime in Indiana, the prosecution starts to obtain evidence and build a case against you. If you are convicted of the charges, you will have to deal with serious repercussions that can negatively impact the rest of your life. Not only will you face fines, probation, and jail time, you will have a permanent criminal record that can damage your family and relationships, ruin prospects for education and a career, and keep you from obtaining benefits such as a student loan, a professional license, and housing and immigration benefits.

This is not something you want to fight on your own. To protect your rights and your freedom, get help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows how to handle your case to increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

The Jeffersonville criminal defense lawyers at Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law firm (CLLB) know the courts, the intricacies of the criminal justice system, and the tactics prosecutors use to get a conviction. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work to build a case for your defense and keep you from making mistakes that can be used against you. We provide support all through the criminal defense process, communicate with you and keep you informed, and aggressively fight for your rights and your freedom. 

Call us today to get started building the best defense possible.

Why Choose Our Jeffersonville, Indiana, Criminal Defense Lawyer

Choosing a criminal attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. It is important to look for a lawyer who has experience dealing with the Indiana criminal justice system and local courts, as well as the skills, resources, and court presence to fight for the results you need. Here are some reasons why we feel our CLLB criminal defense attorneys in Jeffersonville, IN, are your best choice:

• We have the necessary experience. Our Jeffersonville attorneys have successfully defended clients against misdemeanor and felony charges ranging from DUI and drug offenses to robbery and possession of stolen property. Attorney Marc Tawfik’s focus is on trial work and criminal defense.
• We have built relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court personnel, so know how to work with them and can anticipate and address challenges that may arise during your defense.
• We provide a personalized approach to each client. We understand that every criminal case is unique, and we treat you with the individual attention you deserve.
• We know how to investigate and build your case.  Our attorneys take the time to thoroughly investigate the details surrounding your case, gathering evidence, such as from crime scene photos and videos, laboratory and police reports, and interviews with witnesses to build a strong defense. 
• We know how to negotiate and plea bargain. Our attorneys can work with prosecutors to explore alternatives to trial, such as reduced charges or plea bargains, when appropriate and desired.
• We know how to advocate for you in the courtroom. If your case does proceed to trial, we will vigorously fight for your rights, present a compelling defense, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and cross-examine witnesses to cast doubt on their credibility.

How Our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Jeffersonville Work for You

Although the law states that you are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, once accused, people are often treated as if already convicted. The prosecution wants to get a conviction, and will use all the evidence possible to support its claim and minimize the defendant’s constitutional rights to make this happen. When you retain our Jeffersonville criminal defense attorneys, we will get to work immediately to make sure you are protected and your rights are not violated.  We will:

• Meet with you to hear your version of why you are accused of the alleged crime
• Determine the best way to respond to charges and handle the accusations
• Inform you of your rights and ensure police and prosecutors adhere to proper procedures
• Prevent you from making common mistakes many unwary defendants do and from saying or doing anything that would negatively affect your case
• Appear in court on your behalf and take care of bail and arraignment
• Build a strong defense by examining the crime scene, gathering evidence to show your innocence, interviewing witnesses, examining police reports, and looking for weaknesses and mistakes in the prosecutor’s case
• Negotiate with prosecutors and handle plea bargains for a lesser charge or dismissal of charges
• Take your case to trial and advocate on your behalf to convince a jury that there is reasonable doubt that you committed the crime
• File an appeal if necessary.

At Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law, we believe you deserve strong legal representation, no matter what type of charges you are facing. Our Jeffersonville criminal defense attorneys will strive to negotiate a plea bargain agreement that may allow you to avoid jail time, or at least reduce it, if you feel that is your best option. If you go to trial, we can tell your side of the story to the judge and jury, expose the prosecution’s case and witnesses as unreliable and untrustworthy, and provide evidence as to why there should be reasonable doubt.

Jeffersonville Criminal Defense Attorney Explains Your Rights

Both the United States and the state of Indiana provide constitutional protections to individuals who have been arrested and taken into custody for questioning for being suspected of having committed a crime or offense. One of your first rights is to ask for an attorney who can make sure you are treated properly and help you avoid making mistakes that can give prosecutors a better case. Important rights you should be aware of include:

• To be read your Miranda rights informing you that you have the right to remain silent and not answer questions and to know that anything said can and will be used against you in court.
• To be shown an arrest warrant authorizing arrest and told what the criminal charges are. Police officers are legally allowed to search your home or your property if they obtain a search warrant. You can only be arrested without a warrant if the police have probable cause to believe you committed a crime.
• To call your attorney or family.
• To have an attorney present during questioning or a line up.
• To have the court appoint an attorney if you cannot afford one. 
• To have reasonable bail and a speedy trial.

The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. constitution provides the right to be free from government compelled self-incrimination and the right to be free from multiple prosecutions or multiple punishments for a single criminal offense.

The Sixth Amendment provides the right to refuse to testify, and the opportunity to see, hear, and confront the witnesses against you.

Our Jeffersonville criminal defense attorneys know how to defend your rights and use any violations to help your case. Evidence must be obtained properly, and handled properly through an established chain of possession. If we determine through our investigations that evidence was improperly obtained or handled, we may be able to have it excluded from consideration. We design a defense strategy to protect your legal rights and look for legal arguments that may result in charges being dropped or reduced.

Criminal Defense Lawyers Handling Felonies and Misdemeanors

Crimes in Indiana are categorized as misdemeanors or felonies, with felonies being more serious and having greater punishments and fines. However, even a conviction for a minor misdemeanor will give you a criminal record that limits your life.

Felony Offenses

In Indiana, a felony is any crime that carries a penalty of more than one year in prison and up to life imprisonment or the death penalty; it is the most serious crime you can be charged with. Under Indiana Code Title 33, conviction of a felony means time in prison, supervised probation, fines, and a black mark that will prevent hiring you for most professional jobs. Most felonies in Indiana are designated as Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, with murder and level 1 the most serious offenses.

Each felony level specifies a sentencing range, plus an advisory sentence that serves as a guideline, and there are possible fines of up to $10,000 for a felony conviction.  Murder brings three possible sentences — a fixed sentence of 45 to 55 years’ imprisonment, a life sentence without parole, or the death penalty. Level 1 felonies are punishable by 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment, while Level 6 felonies carry a sentence of 6 months to 2 ½ years’ imprisonment.

Misdemeanor Offenses

Misdemeanors are considered less severe than a felony, but still should be taken seriously as conviction may also bring a criminal record, a jail sentence, and hefty fines. In Indiana, misdemeanors are crimes that are punished by up to a year in jail and designated as Class A, B, or C, with Class A the most serious. 

Sentences for Misdemeanors in Indiana are:

• Class A misdemeanor: 0 to 365 days in jail
• Class B misdemeanor: 0 to 180 days in jail
• Class C misdemeanor: 0 to 60 days in jail.

Call our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Jeffersonville, Indiana, for Help 

Navigating the Indiana court system can be complex, with various local rules and procedures that can significantly impact your case. At Church Langdon Lopp Banet Law, we have the understanding of the local courts and the nuances of the Indiana legal system that enables us to anticipate and address potential challenges that may arise during your defense. This gives us an edge in building a strong defense strategy tailored to the crime and the specific jurisdiction in which your case is being heard.

You only get one chance to put your best foot forward and make the strongest possible argument in your defense, so entrusting your defense to a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense lawyer who can anticipate the prosecutor’s moves and effectively counter a prosecutor’s arguments is crucial. Our Jeffersonville criminal lawyers will put every effort possible into the success of your case, whether negotiating a favorable plea agreement or achieving a not-guilty verdict at trial.

Call us at (812) 725-8224 today to get started, and let us fight for your rights and freedom.

Attorney Marc Tawfik

Marc is a Kentucky native, having lived and worked in the state the majority of his life. He is a licensed attorney in Kentucky and Indiana, and his focus is on trial work, including civil litigation and criminal defense. He has represented a wide variety of clients, and he is committed to putting his clients’ needs first. [ Attorney Bio ]