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Criminal Defense Attorneys In Bloomington, Indiana

Last updated on June 26, 2026

A criminal conviction can lead to jail time, fines and other penalties that change the course of your life. When you face criminal charges, your choice of a defense attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. At the Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, you will find a seasoned legal team with more than 35 years of experience.

From our offices in Bloomington, our lawyers defend the accused throughout south-central Indiana. If you face charges in Monroe, Bartholomew, Brown, Greene, Owen, Morgan, Jackson or Lawrence counties, we are here to help.

The Types Of Criminal Cases We Handle

At the Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, our team handles criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to violent crime charges such as murder. These include:

OWI charges (operating while intoxicated): Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs can have serious consequences. An OWI defense lawyer helps people accused of these crimes protect their rights and minimize penalties.
Habitual traffic violations: Repeat offenders may face more serious penalties for future charges. An attorney can provide guidance to mitigate the long-term impacts on your driving record.
Specialized driving privileges: People with suspended licenses may be able to drive under specific conditions or for particular purposes. We can help you take the necessary steps to get back on the road.
Public intoxication: If you have been accused of being visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in public, legal representation can help you challenge evidence and potentially avoid a criminal record.
Assault and battery: When charges involve threatening to harm or physically harming another person, our defense attorneys can build a legal strategy based on your situation, explore self-defense claims or negotiate lesser charges.
Burglary and theft offenses: Unlawfully entering a building with intent to commit theft or stealing someone else’s property can vary in severity. A theft defense attorney can focus on reducing charges and exploring restitution options.
Drug offenses: Charges related to the illegal possession, distribution or manufacturing of controlled substances can be life-changing. A drug possession lawyer can provide critical guidance to the accused.
Sexual assault: If the authorities have accused you of illegal sexual acts, we can provide a strong defense to ensure that you receive fair treatment and challenge any procedural errors.
Homicide: An attorney can help people accused of murder or manslaughter develop a defense strategy or consider a potential plea deal.
Juvenile delinquency: Illegal or antisocial behavior by minors can lead to intervention by juvenile courts. It is important for young people to have skilled legal representation to protect their future.
Domestic violence: Being accused of domestic violence can have serious legal and personal consequences, including restraining orders, loss of custody rights and criminal penalties. Our attorneys can review the circumstances of your case, challenge the evidence against you and work to protect your rights throughout the process.

While many of these cases reach a favorable resolution without going to trial, we are always prepared to fight for you in court if needed. Our strong trial skills have led to many victories before judges and juries. With a convenient office in Bloomington, Indiana, we handle criminal cases throughout the region.

Criminal Defense For College Students In Bloomington

College students face special concerns following an arrest. Your education and future may be on the line. In addition to legal penalties such as fines and jail time, you could risk suspension or even expulsion. Having a criminal record could also limit your future career opportunities.

As a result, it is critical to take any criminal charges seriously. At the Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, our attorneys regularly handle the criminal defense for students involved in a wide array of crimes. We can help you navigate the charges while working to protect your education, reputation and future.

What To Do After An Arrest In Bloomington, Indiana

An arrest can feel overwhelming. What you do next could have a significant impact on your future. Important measures to take include:

Remain silent: Do not answer police questions about the incident, even if they seem innocuous.
Do not give consent to searches: Say clearly to the police that you do not consent to any search.
Request an attorney: Ask for a lawyer. Repeat the request if needed.
Avoid discussing your case: Do not talk about it to friends, family or acquaintances, and do not post about it online.

The booking process in Monroe County involves many steps. When going through them, pay close attention and take note of anything that seems unusual or off. Our team can step in quickly, protect your rights and start building your defense.

Penalties For Criminal Offenses In Indiana

There are many potential consequences you could face when charged with a crime in Indiana. Criminal convictions can lead to fines, probation, community service, mandatory counseling or treatment for addiction disorders, license suspensions, and time behind bars.

The specific penalties that could be on the table depend on whether you face a misdemeanor or felony charge, and what class or level the charge is. Misdemeanors fall into three classes:

Class A: Up to one year in jail; fine of up to $5,000
Class B: Up to 180 days in jail; fine of up to $1,000
Class C: Up to 60 days in jail; fine of up to $500

Felonies, meanwhile, are broken up into six levels, with the maximum fine for all levels being $10,000. The prison sentence ranges for the levels are:

Level 1: 20 to 40 years
Level 2: 10 to 30 years
Level 3: Three to 16 years
Level 4: Two to 12 years
Level 5: One to six years
Level 6: Six months to 2.5 years

A criminal conviction can also prevent you from voting and limit your housing, employment, education and child custody opportunities. Knowing the potential consequences of your charges is paramount to your criminal defense strategy.

Expungement And Record Sealing In Indiana

In addition to handling criminal defense, we also help people pursue expungements to clear their criminal records. A criminal history can severely affect your life. In Indiana, you can generally seek expungement for most misdemeanors and some felonies. You may also seek to have your record expunged in cases of arrests where charges were later dropped, arrests that never resulted in a conviction and convictions that were overturned upon appeal.

In Indiana, there is typically a waiting period that must pass, without any additional convictions, before you can seek an expungement. Generally, this waiting period is five years from the date of conviction for misdemeanors. For most felonies, it is eight years, though it can run longer in some cases.

Indiana also follows a “one filing rule” when it comes to the expungement of convictions. This means you can only request such an expungement one time in the state. You can ask for the expungement of multiple convictions as part of this “one” request. If the convictions were from multiple counties, you’ll need to make a separate filing within each county, all within 365 days of each other, to comply with this rule.

Expungement can have many benefits. It can remove barriers to work and housing. Our attorneys can help you understand if you are eligible for this relief and how to proceed.

Why Choose The Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC?

When you choose the Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, you get a dedicated local team that knows the law and the legal landscape of south-central Indiana. Our team has decades of experience serving Monroe and Bartholomew counties, and the surrounding areas. Our strong track record of success has led us to be a trusted team for criminal defense.

Our team also understands just how much is at stake when you face criminal charges. That is why we are committed to being responsive. You will find it easy to contact our team and get swift answers to your questions.

We will also advocate for you at every stage of your case. Our lawyers will work to get charges dropped or reduced, and they are prepared to go to trial if needed. In or out of court, they will fight for you and your rights.

Criminal Defense: Frequently Asked Questions

An arrest or criminal charge can be scary, but legal representation can help. We have provided answers to some questions we commonly receive below.

What are my rights when being questioned by the police in Indiana?

Being questioned by the police can be stressful. You may mistakenly say something that is not true out of nervousness. If the police start asking you questions, you should invoke your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions, and you can make this clear by saying out loud that you decline to answer any questions and want an attorney. Do not wait until you are reminded of your rights to use them.

How can a criminal defense attorney help with my case in Indiana?

We can educate you on the charges you are facing, strategize with you on a strong defense, protect your rights and advocate for the best possible outcome in your case.

Discuss Your Rights During A Free Consultation

Call our Bloomington office at 812-333-9688 or send our team an email to get started. We offer evening and weekend availability by appointment.