Misdemeanors and Felonies
Misdemeanors
In Indiana, misdemeanors are criminal offenses which are punishable up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000. Although the punishment for misdemeanors is relatively minor compared to felonies, these offenses are serious enough that they can have a severe impact on your employment, freedom, housing eligibility and reputation in your community. Also, having a criminal conviction can make it difficult to obtain future employment, qualify for some student loans or legally own a firearm. The most commonly charged misdemeanors include: Battery, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Battery, DUI/OVWI, Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Marijuana and Public Intoxication. The bottom line is that these minor crimes can have a major impact on your life and liberty.
Felonies
In Indiana, felonies are criminal offenses which are punishable from six (6) months in prison to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Many felonies carry enhancements (such as habitual offender designations, crimes committed within a certain distance of a housing complex or school, etc.) that can add many years to a felony conviction. A felony conviction normally follows a person to his or her grave. However, depending on the class of the offense, some felonies can be reduced to a misdemeanor conviction. Felony convictions also close doors of opportunity and limit your life options in areas such as: adopting children, employment opportunities, housing eligibility, firearm ownership and running for public office to name a few. Felonies include charges such as: Drug dealing/possession, Firearm and Gun offenses and Violent crimes among others. If you are charged with a felony, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Felonies are serious crimes that require serious, professional attention.