Finding yourself facing battery charges in Indiana is a terrifying and uncertain situation. If convicted, the penalties you might face can be severe and alter the entire course of your future.
Whether you have been arrested for battery in Hamilton County or you have been accused of battery following a misunderstanding in downtown Indianapolis, you need to speak with an Indiana battery lawyer who can protect your rights.
Understanding Battery Charges in Indiana
In Indiana, battery is defined as the intentional physical contact or the placing of bodily fluids or waste on another individual in an angry, rude, or insolent way. Some common examples of battery might include hitting or kicking someone in a physical assault, spitting on someone, or throwing something intentionally in their direction.
Penalties for battery in Indiana are severe and can increase in severity should an act of battery be done against one of the following:
- A public safety officer
- A foster home family member
- A pregnant woman (20% of women face some kind of violence during pregnancy)
- A child who is under the age of 14
- A family or household member whom the defendant has previously been convicted of battering
- An endangered or disabled adult
In addition to the most basic form of a battery offense, there are three other kinds of battery charges you can face. These include:
- Sexual battery: This kind of battery occurs when an individual, with the intent of arousing or satisfying their own sexual desires, touches someone who is being compelled to submit to the touching by threat or force. It can also occur when the victim is mentally disabled to the point where they cannot offer consent. Lastly, it occurs when an individual allegedly touches another individual’s genitals, buttocks, or breasts.
- Domestic battery: In Indiana, domestic battery occurs when an individual intentionally or knowingly touches a family member or household member in an angry, rude, or insolent manner. Household or family members can include current or former spouses, dating partners, or engaged couples. It can also include anyone related by blood or marriage. In Indiana, nearly 20 people are physically abused by their partners every minute.
- Aggravated battery: Aggravated battery can happen when the alleged perpetrator intentionally or knowingly causes a victim to suffer an injury that creates a significant risk of death or serious and permanent disfigurement. Aggravated battery can also occur should the act of battery result in the loss of a fetus.
How We Can Defend You Against Battery Charges?
Just because you are facing battery charges in Indiana, it does not mean that you are one hundred percent guilty right away. In fact, you have the right to defend yourself. At Blankenship Law, LLC, we have used the following defenses for clients facing battery charges in Indiana:
- Lack of intent or knowledge
- Acting in self-defense, in the defense of others, or in the defense of property
- Having an alibi for the time and location of the alleged act of battery
- Suffering false and malicious accusations or being mistakenly identified
About Blankenship Law, LLC
With over 25 years of legal experience, the team at our criminal defense law firm is here to serve you. We understand how frightening it can be to come up against battery charges in Indiana. As former prosecutors, our team knows how both sides of a criminal case work and can use this knowledge to the advantage of your defense.
Remember that when you are placed under arrest for any crime, you have the right to contact an attorney. You only get one call, and we advise you to place that call to Blankenship Law, LLC. We are proud to be Indiana’s trusted criminal defense attorneys and are here to serve you today.
FAQs
How Long Does a Battery Case Take in Indiana?
In Indiana, the time it takes to reach a resolution in a battery case will depend on the facts and details of the case itself. The more complicated your case, whether or not the charges are disputed, and the amount of evidence available in your battery case can all impact the overall timeline.
Is Assault Different Than Battery?
Yes, in Indiana, assault and battery are considered to be two separate charges under the law, and each comes with its own set of elements that need to be proven by the prosecution in order to secure a conviction. Assault is the actual, intentional act that causes another individual to fear harm or any kind of offensive contact, whereas battery is the actual physical contact that causes harm or offense to a victim.
What Are the Penalties for Battery?
If you are convicted of battery in Indiana, you can face a plethora of different, and often severe, penalties. Individuals can expect to face some combination of prison or jail time and large fines. You could also face collateral consequences like difficulty finding future housing, issues when facing custody matters, and issues with employment, as individuals with a permanent criminal record face a ate.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Battery Lawyer in Indiana?
In Indiana, the costs to hire a battery lawyer can vary from lawyer to lawyer and from case to case. Typically, factors like the complexity and duration of your case, as well as the skills, education, and experience of your attorney, can all impact the final cost analysis. It is important to keep in mind, however, that cost should not take priority over your freedom.
Hire a Battery Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been charged with battery in Indiana, it is crucial that you hire a battery lawyer as soon as you can. Now is not the time to try to defend yourself or simply resign yourself to maximum battery penalties. Instead, turn to the defense team at Blankenship Law, LLC. We stand ready to listen to your side of the story and defend your case. Our team is proud to offer free phone consultations and is here for you any time of the day or night. Contact us today.
