| It's a devastating blow when you or a loved one has | | | | your probation after conviction and a suspended |
| been convicted of a crime, whether a misdemeanor | | | | sentence. An experienced lawyer can present your |
| or a felony. If you live in Indiana - whether in South | | | | case in the best possible light in order to avoid the |
| Bend, Crown Point, Indianapolis, Valparaiso, or another | | | | harshest penalties. Given that local jurisdictions can |
| city or town - you should know that a good criminal | | | | have tremendous leeway in how probation violations |
| defense lawyer can help you in terms of appeals, | | | | are treated, it's important to engage a lawyer who |
| probation, and sentence modification. | | | | has knowledge of the procedures in each Indiana |
| Appeals | | | | county. This is particularly crucial if you have been |
| If you are convicted of a crime, an experienced | | | | charged with a new crime while on probation, as a |
| attorney can review the charges and trial to | | | | conviction means that you would have to serve |
| determine if there is cause for appeal. For example, | | | | consecutive sentences for the suspended portion of |
| there may have been mistakes made in the charges | | | | your original sentence and the sentence for your |
| brought against you, or there may have been | | | | new conviction. |
| improprieties during the trial itself. Perhaps there was | | | | Sentence Modification |
| an exclusion of exculpatory evidence or testimony, | | | | If you've been convicted of a crime, an experienced |
| or maybe the trial court made a mistake in its | | | | criminal defense lawyer can often successfully file an |
| decision to join defendants. Perhaps the evidence | | | | appeal with the Indiana State Court of Appeals in |
| didn't support a severe charge and conviction, and | | | | order to obtain a sentence modification, verdict |
| you should have been tried on a reduced charge and | | | | reversal, or an order for a new trial. |
| received a lighter conviction. | | | | Even if you've unsuccessfully appealed your verdict, |
| Appeals can also be made and won based on issues | | | | you can still try to obtain what's called post-conviction |
| surrounding sentencing. Perhaps a sentence was | | | | relief. Post-conviction relief typically involves arguing |
| imposed that was an abuse of the trial court's | | | | that you didn't receive effective legal counsel during |
| discretion, or a prior conviction was inappropriately | | | | your trial, that you were coerced into pleading guilty, |
| used to justify a harsher sentence. | | | | that new evidence has been discovered, and so |
| A good criminal defense attorney is especially | | | | forth. When post-conviction relief is successful, your |
| important if a conviction on a misdemeanor charge | | | | lawyer can work to undo conviction-related damage |
| would mean the revocation of a professional license. | | | | to your rights and records. |
| A successful appeal could mean the difference | | | | When you've been convicted of a crime, it's difficult |
| between maintaining your livelihood and having to | | | | to surmount the emotional turmoil and think clearly |
| start your life over again in a new profession. | | | | about the road ahead. That's why it's crucial that you |
| Probation Violations | | | | find a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in |
| You can experience severe consequences if you are | | | | all facets of the appellate process. |
| arrested while on probation or if you have violated | | | | |