Indianapolis Attempted Murder Lawyer

Attempted murder occurs when a person, acting with the specific intent to kill, takes a substantial step toward committing the crime of murder. It is not enough to just plan it; you must have taken a direct action to carry it out.

A substantial step is an action that strongly corroborates the intent to kill, such as lying in wait for a victim, firing a weapon at someone, or stabbing a victim in a vital area. Mere preparation or threats are usually not enough because the act must go beyond planning.

Yes, attempted murder is a Level 1 Felony in Indiana. This is the second-highest level of criminal charge possible and ranks just below actual murder in severity.

A conviction for a Level 1 Felony carries a prison sentence of 20 to 40 years, with an advisory sentence of 30 years. You may also face fines up to $10,000 in addition to the prison term.

There is no statute of limitations for attempted murder in Indiana. Because it is a Level 1 Felony, the state can bring charges against you at any time, even decades after the alleged event occurred.

Intent is the most critical element because the prosecutor must prove you had the specific intent to kill, not just to injure or scare the victim. If the defense can show you only intended to cause bodily harm rather than death, the charges may be reduced or dismissed.

Yes, it is common for skilled defense attorneys to negotiate a reduction to Aggravated Battery (Level 3 Felony) or Battery with a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony). This usually happens if the prosecution’s evidence regarding intent to kill is weak.

Common defenses include lack of intent, arguing you did not intend to kill the victim, or self-defense, arguing you were protecting yourself from imminent serious bodily injury or death. Other defenses include abandonment, where you voluntarily stopped the attempt before the crime was committed, or mistaken identity.

You must remain silent and do not speak to police or investigators without an attorney present because anything you say can be twisted to prove intent. Contact an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Bail is possible but often set very high due to the violent nature of the charge. An attorney can argue for a reasonable bond amount or release conditions, but judges scrutinize Level 1 Felony cases heavily.

The difference lies in the intent, as attempted murder requires proof you wanted the victim to die. Aggravated battery only requires proof that you knowingly or intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury and carries significantly lower penalties of 3 to 16 years.

No, while injury is common, it is not strictly required. For example, firing a gun at someone and missing can still result in an attempted murder charge if the state can prove you intended to hit and kill them.

Generally, no, because Level 1 Felonies involving serious bodily injury or deadly weapons are typically ineligible for expungement in Indiana. This makes fighting the initial charge critical to your future.

If the act was committed under sudden heat, which is intense emotion caused by provocation, the charge might be reduced to Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter. This is a Level 2 Felony that carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years.

Attempted murder cases often hinge on technical legal arguments about specific intent and local court procedures. A local attorney like Gemma & Karimi knows the Marion County prosecutors and judges, understands local jury tendencies, and can spot weaknesses in the police investigation that out-of-town lawyers might miss.