Criminal Law

Strong Criminal Defense Solutions

No one wants to be arrested and charged with a crime. The potential fines, jail time and reputation damage could be catastrophic to your life. It is critical to fight back aggressively against the charges you’re facing to protect your freedom and your future.

At Myers & Wallace, LLP, our lawyers provide aggressive, effective criminal defense representation for clients in Fort Wayne and throughout Indiana. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our attorneys know the law and we know how to get the results you need. In many cases, we are able to uncover problems that could result in the charges being thrown out of court. When this is impossible, we will look for any way possible to minimize the damages these charges will have on your life.

Defense Against A Range Of Charges

At Myers & Wallace, LLP, our lawyers provide strong defense against charges that include:

Driving under the influence: Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a common, yet no less serious, criminal charge. Whether you are facing these charges for the first time or this is a second or subsequent offense, our attorneys will fight aggressively to help you out from under intoxicated driving charges.
Drug crimes: We provide strong criminal defense against charges that include possession, possession with intent, growth and cultivation, possession of paraphernalia, trafficking, prescription drug crimes and related charges.
Violent crimes: Our attorneys can defend you against any type of violent crime charge, including assault, battery, burglary, domestic violence and other violent crime charges.
Theft crimes: Theft crimes can include robbery, petty theft and a range of white collar crimes like embezzlement and fraud. Our lawyers will fight to help you avoid a conviction.
Traffic violations: We also represent clients in speeding tickets, parking violations and other traffic-related issues.

Whatever charges you are facing, our lawyers are here to fight for you. We understand the seriousness of the consequences that would come with a conviction. Our attorneys are prepared to bring the best defense possible against these charges.

Putting Your Life Back Together

Even if you have been convicted, or had your license suspended, the attorneys at Myers & Wallace, LLP can help you navigate the difficult process of getting your life back on track. Those services include:

Expungements: We can assist you in sealing your criminal records to restore your civil rights and protect you from discrimination from potential employers.
Specialized Driving Privileges: We can help you drive again even if your license has been suspended.
Appeals: Our attorneys have extensive experience bringing your case to a higher court to have it reviewed for violations of your rights.
Sentence Modifications: Under certain circumstances, your sentence may be modified in your favor, and our attorneys can walk you through that process.

Pre-Charge Representation and Investigations

If police have contacted you or you suspect you’re under investigation, talk to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Many people wait until they’ve been arrested or formally charged—but by then, prosecutors may have already built their case. The earlier you involve a lawyer, the more opportunities you have to protect yourself.

Myers & Wallace, LLP helps clients take control of the situation. We can:

Communicate with law enforcement on your behalf to prevent unintentional self-incrimination or misleading statements.
Advise you on whether to cooperate with an investigation and how to handle interviews, subpoenas, or search requests.
Investigate the facts independently and counter the state’s version of events.
Present mitigating evidence or legal arguments to prosecutors to reduce the charges or discourage charges from being filed.
Prepare you for what may happen next, including potential arrest, bail considerations, or immediate court appearances.

Early legal help can sometimes prevent charges altogether, or at the very least, put you in a stronger position before the case goes to court. Don’t wait for things to escalate. We can step in quickly to protect your rights and begin building a defense strategy right away.

What to Do if You’re Arrested

Arrests are stressful. In that moment, it’s easy to say something you think might help—but it’s critical to remember that anything you say can be used against you. The most important thing you can do after an arrest is protect your rights by staying calm and keeping quiet.

If you’ve been arrested:

Do not explain or argue your side of the story. You might feel tempted to talk your way out of the situation, but the police are not there to clear your name—they’re gathering evidence. Even innocent statements can be twisted or misinterpreted.
Clearly say, “I want a lawyer.” This simple sentence tells law enforcement to stop questioning you until an attorney is present.
Do not answer any questions without legal counsel. You have the right to remain silent, and it’s wise to exercise that right. Politely decline to speak until your attorney arrives, even if law enforcement continues to question you.
Do not consent to searches. If officers ask to search your car, home, or belongings, you can say no. If they have a warrant, they may proceed. However, it’s still important not to give permission or make statements during the search.
Call Myers & Wallace, LLP as soon as possible. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can start protecting your rights, preparing your defense, and working toward the best possible outcome.

Remember: silence isn’t saying you’re guilty. It’s actually one of the most effective ways to defend yourself in the early stages of a criminal case, before your lawyer can step in.

The Myers & Wallace, LLP Approach To Criminal Defense

At Myers & Wallace, LLP, criminal defense is never just about what happened—it’s about what happens next.

Our firm takes a comprehensive, hands-on approach to your defense. From the initial consultation through the final resolution, we work directly with you to understand your side of the story, investigate the facts, and build a strategy tailored to your goals. That could mean challenging the legality of a search, negotiating for reduced charges, or taking your case to trial.

We’re experienced in local courts throughout Indiana and know how to navigate the system to your advantage. Whether you need an advocate in the courtroom or guidance behind the scenes, we’re here to fight for your future every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options and how we can help.

How Can A Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?

It’s easy to feel intimidated when you’re going up against the full force of the government. Having a criminal defense lawyer to advocate for your rights and interests can level the playing field so you can stand up for your rights and interests. Here’s what an experienced attorney from Myers & Wallace, LLP can do for you in your time of need:

Independently investigate your charges so you don’t have to rely solely on the evidence turned over by the prosecution, enabling us to build a comprehensive defense strategy based on all available facts
Review the evidence in your case to determine optimal case strategies for pursuing the best possible outcomes for your charges
Help you understand the details of your charges and the possible outcomes of your case so that you make informed decisions about how to proceed
Provide tailored legal advice at each stage of the prosecution
Vigorously challenge the government’s case, including by seeking to exclude evidence obtained by police in violation of your rights or contesting the sufficiency of the charges to seek a reduction or dismissal
Pursue a favorable resolution to your charges, whether that means negotiating for a plea deal, seeking alternative sentencing, or representing you in court

Potential Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

A criminal conviction can have a range of serious consequences for defendants, including the imposition of a sentence that may involve incarceration, fines, and restitution obligations. Here are the sentencing ranges for felonies under Indiana’s criminal code:

Murder: 45 to 65 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of 55 years) or life imprisonment without parole or death for an offender 18 or older, plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 1 felony: 20 to 40 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of 30 years), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 2 felony: 10 to 30 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of 17.5 years), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 3 felony: Three to 16 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of nine years), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 4 felony: Two to 12 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of six years), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 5 felony: One to six years in prison (with an advisory sentence of three years), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000
Level 6 felony: Six months to 2.5 years in prison (with an advisory sentence of one year), plus a potential fine of up to $10,000

And here are the sentencing ranges for misdemeanors in Indiana:

Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year of incarceration and a potential fine of up to $5,000
Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days of incarceration and a potential fine of up to $1,000
Class C misdemeanor: Up to 60 days of incarceration and a potential fine of up to $500

Convictions can have other long-term collateral consequences, such as the loss of firearm rights for felony convictions or sex offender registration obligations for sex crimes. Convicted defendants will also have criminal records that may make it harder to find employment, housing, or educational or financial opportunities. These consequences make it critical to find experienced legal representation that can help you protect your reputation, freedom, and future.

Potential Defense Strategies

Criminal defendants in Indiana have a range of defense strategies available to them, potentially including the following:

Lack of necessary criminal intent
Lack of possession of contraband
Mistaken identity
Alibi
Consent
Self-defense
Unreliable state’s forensic evidence
Unlawful searches or interrogations by law enforcement

Contact Myers & Wallace, LLP

Do not fight your case on your own or settle for an inexperienced lawyer. Call us today at 260-424-0600 or email us to schedule a consultation with an attorney from our firm.

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Here To Help With Your Legal Needs – Every Step Of The Way

Myers & Wallace, LLP helps with a wide variety of legal needs throughout Indiana. If you need assistance for a case relating to employment law, civil rights, criminal defense or personal injury call us at 260-424-0600 so we can get started on developing your personalized strategy.