Criminal Attorney In Greenwood

Charged With A Crime & Unsure What To Do Next

If you are facing criminal charges that affect your life in Greenwood, you are probably worried about your future. An arrest or investigation can shake everything, including your job, your family, and your reputation. As a seasoned criminal attorney in Greenwood, I understand how quickly things can spiral once the court system is involved.

I have spent more than 30 years practicing criminal defense in Indiana, including years as a public defender, and I have handled thousands of cases. I have served as lead counsel in more than 180 jury trials, and I continue to take cases to trial when it is in my client’s best interest. When you come to Shircliff Law LLC, you work directly with me from the first call until the case is resolved.

If your case involves charges filed in or connected to Greenwood, I can help you understand what you are facing and what options you may have. I offer a generally free initial consultation so you can talk through your situation before making decisions about your defense.

When you contact us, you speak directly with the criminal attorney in Greenwood who will stand beside you in court. Our initial conversation is generally free, and it is your opportunity to ask questions, understand your charges, and hear a clear, honest assessment of your situation. You can also call us at (317) 936-3404.

Facing Charges In Greenwood

Most people who contact me after an arrest tied to Greenwood have never been through this process before. You may have been taken to jail and then released, you may have a pending court date at the Johnson County courthouse, or you may have received notice that charges could be filed. Any of these situations can be overwhelming.

The possible consequences are serious. A conviction can mean jail or prison, probation, fines, and loss of driving privileges in some cases. It can affect your ability to work, hold a professional license, attend school, or live where you want to live. For some charges, there can be long-term registration or firearm restrictions that change your daily life.

I know that fear, embarrassment, and anger often come all at once. You might be worried about how to explain this to your family or employer, and you may be unsure whether speaking to the police or others will help or hurt you. Early decisions can have a real impact on how your case unfolds, which is why it is important to speak with a criminal defense attorney Greenwood residents can reach quickly when charges arise.

Why My Criminal Defense Approach Matters

When you are choosing a criminal defense lawyer in Greenwood, you are really choosing how your case will be handled. My entire career has been focused on criminal defense work in Indiana courts. I began as a public defender, which meant managing large numbers of serious cases and learning how prosecutors, judges, and juries respond to different strategies. That background still shapes how I approach every file that comes across my desk.

Over the past three decades, I have served as lead counsel in more than 180 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. I have represented clients charged with everything from misdemeanors to major felonies, including allegations such as murder, rape, and other sex offenses. This experience matters because it gives me a realistic sense of what might happen if a case goes to trial and how to evaluate any offer the state may make.

I run a solo practice on purpose. When you hire me, you are hiring the person who will actually handle your hearings, negotiations, and trial preparation. I do not hand your case off to an associate. As your criminal attorney in Greenwood, I personally review evidence, meet with you, and plan the strategy that fits your situation. My clients tell me they value having one point of contact who knows every detail of the case.

I call my approach compassionately aggressive. I will listen to what happened from your perspective, give you clear and direct advice without sugar coating anything, and then work to build a defense that reflects your goals. Part of that work includes drawing on my role as an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where I stay engaged with current developments in criminal law and teach future lawyers about how these cases are actually litigated.

If you are considering which criminal attorney Greenwood defendants should turn to, it is important to know who will actually stand next to you in court. With me, the answer is simple. It will be me, every time.

How I Handle Your Criminal Case

From the moment you contact me, my focus is on understanding what happened and what is at stake for you. During our first conversation, I listen to your account, answer your questions, and review any documents you already have, such as charging information or a summons. I give you an initial sense of the range of outcomes that might be on the table, based on the charge and your history.

After that first call, I obtain and review the formal charging documents and the evidence the state intends to use. This can include police reports, videos, lab results, and witness statements. I look for weaknesses, inconsistencies, or legal issues that may affect what evidence the court can consider. Throughout this process, I explain in plain language what I am seeing and what it could mean for your case.

As your criminal attorney in Greenwood law enforcement and prosecutors will see standing beside you, I work to protect your rights at each stage. I attend your hearings, discuss options with you before important decisions, and keep you updated when there are developments. We talk candidly about whether it may make sense to negotiate for a resolution or whether preparing for trial is the better path, given your goals and the evidence.

Some clients want to avoid the risk of trial at all costs, while others are focused on clearing their name. My job is to explain the likely risks and benefits of each option based on my years of trying cases so that you can make informed choices. No two cases are the same, and no strategy is chosen without careful thought about your priorities and the facts in front of us.

If you have just been charged, a few immediate steps can help protect you:

• Avoid discussing the details of your case with anyone other than your attorney, including on social media.
• Do not speak to police or investigators without legal counsel present, even if you think you can talk your way out of it.
• Keep copies of all paperwork you receive from the court or law enforcement and bring them to our first meeting.
• Write down names and contact information for any witnesses you believe could help your defense.

When you work with me as your criminal attorney in Greenwood, you are not navigating hearings, deadlines, and decisions on your own. You have a lawyer who has been through this process many times and who is committed to walking through it with you step by step.

Charges I Commonly Defend as Your Criminal Attorney in Greenwood

I represent people facing a wide range of criminal accusations that affect their lives in Greenwood and throughout Central Indiana. Many of my clients are dealing with misdemeanor or felony driving offenses, including operating while intoxicated and related traffic crimes that can threaten their license and employment. Others are facing allegations such as drug possession or dealing that carry the possibility of jail and long term consequences.

I also defend clients accused of theft and property offenses, including shoplifting, burglary, and similar charges that can follow a person for years on background checks. Violent crime allegations, such as battery or robbery, raise obvious concerns about incarceration and safety, and I approach these cases with an understanding of how seriously the courts treat them. I have handled many cases involving sensitive accusations, including sex offenses, where the personal and legal stakes are extremely high.

If your case involves more complex felony charges filed in one of the Central Indiana counties I regularly serve, I draw on my background in serious trial work. Over the course of my career, I have handled thousands of criminal matters across Hamilton, Hendricks, Madison, Marion, and other nearby counties. That experience gives me insight into how different prosecutors may view certain charges, which can inform the strategies we discuss for your case.

My primary focus is active criminal defense in trial courts. While I handle fewer expungements, post-conviction matters, and sentence modifications, and I do not take on appeals, I am fully committed to the defense of clients in pending criminal cases. If you are unsure whether your situation falls within the types of matters I handle, a conversation can quickly clarify that.

To talk with a criminal lawyer Greenwood residents can reach for direct, one on one representation, call (317) 936-3404 today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Go To Jail For My Charges?

Whether you go to jail depends on many factors, including the level of the charge, your prior record, and the facts of the case. I review all of this with you and explain the range of possible outcomes so we can work toward the most favorable result the circumstances allow.

How Soon Should I Hire A Lawyer After An Arrest?

It is usually best to talk with a criminal attorney in Greenwood as soon as you know you are under investigation or have been arrested. Early involvement allows me to protect your rights, prepare you for hearings, and start reviewing evidence. Waiting can limit options that might have been available earlier in the case.

Will You Personally Handle My Criminal Case?

Yes. I operate a solo practice, so when you hire me I personally manage your case from the first meeting until it is resolved. You will not be handed off to an associate. I attend your hearings, review your evidence, and speak with you directly about strategy and decisions.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire You?

I understand that legal fees are a real concern. I offer a generally free initial consultation so we can discuss your case before you make any financial commitment. After we talk, I explain my fee structure for your matter and work with you to find a fair and manageable approach.

Does Your Experience In Central Indiana Courts Help Me?

My decades of practice across Central Indiana, including work in counties that handle many cases involving Greenwood residents, helps me understand how prosecutors and judges often approach certain situations. That experience informs the advice I give you about risks, options, and potential strategies in your case.

With over 30 years in Indiana criminal defense, thousands of cases handled, and more than 180 jury trials, I bring seasoned trial judgment and personal attention to every client I represent. Reach out to me today.