Criminal Defense Attorney Serving Indianapolis

Last updated on August 31, 2026

If you are facing a criminal charge in or around Indianapolis, you already know how quickly life can turn upside down. You may be worried about your freedom, your job, and your future, and you may not know who to trust. As a criminal defense attorney Indianapolis residents can turn to in these moments, my job is to bring clarity and a concrete plan.

My name is David Shircliff, and through Shircliff Law LLC, I have spent more than 30 years defending people in Indiana criminal courts. I have handled thousands of cases and served as lead counsel in more than 180 jury trials. When everything is on the line, you need a lawyer who will stand beside you and personally guide you through every stage of the case.

I approach every matter with a combination of straightforward advice and determined advocacy. I do not sugarcoat your situation, and I work to remove as much stress from your shoulders as possible.

When you contact Shircliff Law LLC, you reach a criminal defense attorney serving Indianapolis who can talk you through what happened, review your paperwork, and discuss what to expect at upcoming hearings. You can also call my firm at 317-516-6487.

Why Clients Trust My Defense

When someone calls me after an arrest, they often ask the same question in different ways. They want to know whether I have handled cases like theirs and whether I am the person they want standing next to them in court. I take that trust seriously, and I know you deserve clear answers.

I have been practicing criminal law in Indiana since 1990. Early in my career I served as a public defender, which meant managing heavy caseloads and appearing in court day after day on behalf of people who had nowhere else to turn. That experience taught me how prosecutors think, how local judges run their courtrooms, and how to build workable strategies even when the odds seem difficult.

Over the decades, I have been lead counsel in more than 180 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. I have represented clients accused of misdemeanors and serious felonies, including allegations of murder, rape, and other sex offenses. When your case has the potential to go in front of a jury, it helps to have a criminal attorney who has been there many times before and who is prepared to put in the work a contested trial requires.

Clients and colleagues describe me as sincere, upfront, honest, reliable, relentless and decisive. As a criminal defense attorney serving Indianapolis, I have earned a reputation as a lawyer who hates to lose and who has won at every level of the Indiana criminal court system. That does not mean I can promise you any specific outcome, because every case depends on its own facts, evidence and legal issues. It does mean I am used to fighting hard and thinking strategically about how to put my clients in the best possible position.

My practice is intentionally structured as a solo firm. When you hire me, you get me. I personally handle every aspect of your case from the first meeting to the last hearing. I do not pass your file to an associate you have never met. I believe prompt communication is part of a strong defense, so I work to return calls and messages quickly, and I keep you informed as your matter moves through the system.

I also teach as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. That role keeps me closely connected to developments in Indiana criminal law and to the broader legal community in Marion County. For you, it means your case is guided by someone who lives and works inside the same legal system that is now affecting your life.

How I Defend Criminal Charges As Your Indianapolis Criminal Defense Attorney

Every case begins with a conversation. I listen to how the arrest or investigation unfolded, what the charging documents say, and what you are most worried about. I ask direct questions, and I will be honest with you about what I see in the case. My approach is what I call compassionately aggressive. I understand the human side of what you are going through, and I pair that understanding with determined advocacy in court.

From there, I focus on the evidence. I review police reports, probable cause affidavits, video, witness statements, and any other materials that may matter. In many cases, I look for weaknesses in how law enforcement conducted searches, traffic stops, or interrogations. I work to identify legal issues that might support motions to suppress evidence or to limit what the prosecution can use against you. My goal is always to look for ways to improve your position, whether through challenging the case, negotiating a reduction, or preparing for trial.

As we move forward, I make sure you understand what is happening and why. I do not believe in vague updates. I explain your options in plain language and talk with you about the risks and potential benefits of each path. I will tell you when I believe a proposed resolution is worth considering and when I think we should keep fighting. The final decision is always yours, but I will give you my candid view so you can make an informed choice.

My years in Indiana criminal courts give me insight into how cases tend to move in Marion County and the surrounding counties. I am familiar with the way prosecutors typically approach certain charges and how judges often respond to particular issues. That experience helps me prepare for hearings, build a defense strategy, and get ready for a jury trial when that is the right path for you. Throughout the process, I keep the focus on protecting your rights and working to limit the long-term impact of the case.

What To Do After An Arrest

Being arrested or finding out you are under investigation can be frightening and confusing. You may feel pressure to explain yourself to the police or to make quick decisions just to get the situation over with. The steps you take in the first few days can affect how your case unfolds, so it helps to move carefully.

Here are practical steps I urge people in this situation to consider:

• Stay calm and avoid discussing the details of the case with anyone but your attorney, especially on recorded jail calls or social media.
• Exercise your right to remain silent with law enforcement and clearly state that you want to speak with a lawyer before answering questions.
• Keep copies of charging documents, notices of court dates, and any paperwork you receive, and bring these to your meeting with a lawyer.
• Make every scheduled court appearance on time, and dress and act respectfully, because judges form impressions quickly.
• Contact a criminal defense attorney who serves Indianapolis as soon as you can, ideally before talking further with police or prosecutors.

When someone reaches out to me soon after an arrest, I can start by reviewing the charges, explaining what to expect at the initial hearing, and looking for any immediate steps that might protect their interests. Early involvement often allows more time to investigate, gather helpful information, and address risk factors that could influence bail, release conditions, or negotiations.

Criminal Cases I Commonly Handle

Over the course of my career, I have represented clients in thousands of criminal matters. While no two cases are identical, certain kinds of charges arise frequently in Indiana courts. Seeing familiar patterns again and again helps me quickly understand the issues and possible approaches in a new case.

I regularly defend people facing allegations involving controlled substances and other drug offenses, from possession cases to more serious dealing or manufacturing charges. I also handle operating while intoxicated and related driving offenses, which can put both your liberty and your license at risk. Many of my clients come to me after accusations of battery, domestic offenses or other violent crimes, where emotions run high and careful attention to the facts matters.

Property-related allegations are also common, such as theft, burglary or fraud. I have extensive experience with sex offense cases and homicide charges, which are among the most serious matters in the Indiana system. Each category carries its own potential penalties and collateral consequences, including employment, housing and registration issues. My role as your criminal defense attorney is to look at the specific facts of your situation, explain what the law allows, and develop a defense plan that matches your goals and concerns.

Courts I Am Familiar With In Central Indiana

My office is based in Fishers, and I regularly represent clients in courts that sit in and around Indianapolis. Many of my cases are in Marion County criminal courts located in downtown Indianapolis. I also frequently appear in Hamilton County courts in Noblesville, as well as in Hendricks County and Madison County courts and in several other central Indiana counties.

Each courthouse has its own procedures, schedules, and ways of doing business. Knowing how a particular judge manages a docket or how a local prosecutor’s office often approaches certain charges can shape how I prepare your case. For example, the way plea dockets are handled in Marion County may look different from similar hearings in Hamilton County. Understanding those differences helps me advise you on timing, expectations, and strategy.

In addition to my courtroom work, I serve as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. Teaching future lawyers keeps me engaged with the legal community and with ongoing developments in Indiana criminal law. When you hire me, you get the benefit of that continued engagement combined with decades of practical experience in the same courts your case will pass through.

To talk with a criminal defense lawyer Indianapolis residents can turn to in serious situations, call 317-516-6487 today.

Frequently Asked Questions

My clients often have a lot of questions when they haven’t worked with a lawyer on a legal matter or face criminal charges before. Here, I have answered some common questions to get you started.

Will you personally handle my criminal case?

Yes. When you hire Shircliff Law LLC, you are hiring me. I will personally manage your case from the first meeting through the final hearing. I handle strategy, negotiations and court appearances myself, and you will not be passed off to an associate you have never met.

What should a person do right after an arrest?

After an arrest, stay calm, use your right to remain silent, and clearly ask for a lawyer. Avoid discussing details on the phone or online. Keep any paperwork you receive, appear at all hearings, and contact a criminal lawyer you can trust as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire you?

Legal fees depend on the specific charges and the work your case will require. I generally offer a free initial consultation so we can discuss your situation before you make any financial commitment. As a criminal defense attorney serving Indianapolis, I also work with clients to find flexible, fair options for handling their legal fees.

Have you handled cases like mine before?

In more than 30 years of criminal practice, I have handled thousands of cases across a wide range of charges, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. I cannot discuss specific client matters, but I can usually explain how similar types of cases tend to move through Indiana courts.

How quickly can you get involved in my case?

I understand that criminal cases move quickly, especially in Marion County and nearby courts. When you contact my office, I work to respond promptly so we can review your charges and upcoming dates. Getting me involved early often helps protect your rights and shape the direction of the case.

If you are ready to talk about what comes next, I invite you to reach out for a generally free consultation so we can discuss your options.