42-Year-Old Woman Receives An Expungement Of A Past Conviction
Living with a criminal conviction on your record can obviously cause a lot of hardships, both personally and professionally, but if you add the stigma of a sexual offense, the limitations may be overwhelming. This was the situation a 42-year-old woman found herself in because a past conviction for sexual misconduct with a minor had been preventing her from obtaining gainful employment. Despite the fact that she had paid for her crime, the woman had been living with the fact that potential employers were not considering her for various positions based on her past. Fortunately, a few years ago the state of Indiana passed the “Second Chance Law” which expanded the expungement guidelines for offenses that were not previously eligible. The woman knew that she needed a skilled attorney to navigate this potentially life-altering process, so she reached out to Indianapolis’ Hessler Law PC for help.
Indianapolis criminal attorney Sean Hessler knew that by taking advantage of this statute, his client could remove the conviction from her record, which in turn would allow her to seek better opportunities. Under attorney Hessler’s legal direction, his client completed the necessary steps and filed for the expungement of her prior sexual misconduct with a minor conviction. When the process was finalized and approved, the woman was relieved to be unburdened of her prior convictions’ effects and is actively seeking a more fulfilling career without fear of her past holding her back.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
No Jail And Reduced Fines For A Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud
Not long ago, Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Sean Hessler represented a 35-year-old woman, charged with three counts of welfare fraud after obtaining unemployment insurance benefits, when she was actually working. If convicted, she faced a possible sentence of between two and eight years in prison and reimbursement of over $50,000 in funds she received and penalties assessed. Worried about these potential outcomes, she retained attorney Sean Hessler to handle the process.
After attorney Hessler went over the evidence against his client, it was clear there were several accounting discrepancies. During negotiations, we leveraged these findings to waive all of the fees and we were able to resolve the situation with the client pleading guilty to one count of fraud and agreeing to repay about $10,000, which was the amount of the benefits she received. The plea agreement also resulted in a two-year probation period; however, once the recompense is made, the felony welfare fraud charge will reduce to a misdemeanor and her term of probation will end, freeing her of any further legal worry.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Sex Crimes Significantly Reduced for a 22-Year-Old To Keep His Job
Recently, we assisted a 22-year-old restaurant manager with the serious repercussions of being charged with sex crimes, including felony sexual misconduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It was reported to the police that the young man had fondled, had intercourse with, and provided alcohol and marijuana to a 16-year-old girl. If convicted, the penalties for these offences would include between two and eight years in prison and mandatory inclusion on the Indiana Sex Offender Registry. The young man asserted that he did not have sex with the girl and knew that inclusion on the registry would result in losing his job. Concerned about what would happen to him, he contacted a defense lawyer from Hessler Law to represent him.
Attorney Hessler prepared for a trial and reviewed the case materials, which included DNA evidence. Ultimately, after aggressive negotiations, the prosecutor’s office did not want to proceed with the case as it was originally filed and agreed to reduce the sex crimes charges to the lesser count of fondling. The client accepted a plea bargain to this charge, which resulted in two years of probation, but did not require him to register as a sex offender, which was his primary goal and paramount for him to keep his job.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
No Jail For An Indianapolis Man Charged With Felony Strangulation
In Indianapolis, a 38-year-old house painter wound up in legal trouble, resulting from a heated argument with his wife that rose to the level of domestic violence. Officers were called to the disturbance and charged him with felony strangulation, which carried a possible sentence of two and a half years in prison. With the seriousness of the charges against him, the man sought out sound legal guidance in his time of distress.
He came to Indianapolis defense attorney Sean Hessler, who is experienced in handling these emotionally-charged domestic situations. Attorney Hessler began an independent investigation and meticulously went over the available evidence. This investigation concluded the strangulation did not actually occur; therefore, Hessler used this fact to negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charges from felony strangulation to a misdemeanor battery. His client agreed to a plea bargain, resulting in 180-days of probation and a requirement to complete an anger management course. This outcome greatly pleased our client and his wife, who were both able to move past this unfortunate incident.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
A 27-Year-Old Avoids A Theft Conviction For A Shoplifting Charge
Indiscretions are part of gaining life experience and recently a 27-year-old woman learned a valuable lesson when she was charged with petty theft for shoplifting after being dared by a friend. The young lady with aspirations of becoming a college professor did not want her academic or employment prospects affected by a foolish mistake so she retained the services of Indianapolis defense attorney Sean Hessler.
Sean Hessler knew a theft conviction could stigmatize the young woman with future employers and diligently worked with prosecutors, who were initially focused on obtaining a conviction. After a few rounds of strategic negotiations, our client was able to enroll in a diversion program that included an anti-shoplifting course. Once the client completes the diversion program, the charges would be withdrawn and in the end, our client could continue with her studies, sparing her from a petty theft conviction.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Misdemeanor Charges Withdrawn After an Indianapolis Bar Fight
A 30-year-old man found himself in a precarious legal position while visiting Indianapolis. The out-of-state man drank too much and inserted himself into an altercation outside of an area bar when he tried to break up a fight between other patrons. When officers arrived, the inebriated man did not disburse immediately as the police instructed and was charged with misdemeanors of public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The man, who worked at a family-owned printing business was facing possible time in jail, but he mostly he did not want his record tarnished by these misdemeanor charges so he contacted Indianapolis defense attorney Sean Hessler.
Attorney Hessler immediately began working on his behalf and started discussions with the prosecutor’s office. Hessler used his long-standing relationships and since his client had no prior criminal history, he effectively negotiated for his client to enroll in a diversion program in lieu of a conviction and the misdemeanor charges were ultimately withdrawn. The client was happy to return home, free of this legal burden.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
20-Year-Old Student Enters A Diversion Program To Avoid Drug Conviction
Not long ago, a 20-year-old college student was pulled over in Indianapolis for speeding, and when the officer approached the car, he smelled marijuana. When confronted by the police, the young man surrendered a few grams and a small pipe; therefore, he was subsequently charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. The student, who had no prior criminal history was troubled because a drug conviction could hinder his academic status and future career options, so he sought the capable legal counsel of attorney Sean Hessler for assistance.
Sean Hessler did not want to see the young man’s future jeopardized by this transgression and used his extensive experience with drug cases to facilitate a diversionary program for first-time offenders. This program includes a rehabilitation class, a small fine, and two years of probation. Upon completion of these conditions, the case will be dismissed and his client will avoid a haunting drug conviction.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Minor In Possession Conviction Avoided For Indiana University Student
A 19-year-old college student attending Indiana University was charged with minor in possession of alcohol in his first offense. Facing the uncertainty of the future career implications associated with an underage drinking conviction, the young man knew it was in his best interest to seek legal help from the experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer.
Hessler knew a conviction of an underage drinking charge would likely cause problems for his client as he continued his education and pursued a career after school. Using his wide experience in underage drinking cases, attorney Hessler formulated a diversionary agreement for his client. The student avoided a possession of alcohol conviction by enrolling in an alcohol course. His schooling will be unaffected and he will have no legal obstacles preventing him from seeking employment after college.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Indianapolis Speeding Case Of 17 MPH Over Dismissed
A 40-year-old professional woman was allegedly driving 57 mph in a 40 mph zone when she was pulled over by police officers and cited for speeding in Indianapolis. The woman had no prior traffic or criminal record of any kind and was concerned about the potential addition of four points to her record. After acquiring this charge, the woman asked Indianapolis attorney Sean Hessler for legal representation.
Attorney Hessler represented the woman in court, however, the police officer who cited her for speeding did not show up to the court appearance. Hessler’s client saw an immediate dismissal of her Indianapolis speeding offense.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.
Habitual Offender Misses 10 Years In Jail, Gets Work Release
A 50-year-old custodian in Marion County was recently charged with a level 6 felony operating while intoxicated as a prior. The man, currently on probation for this prior conviction, was seen as a habitual substance offender. Because of this, the man was looking at harsh penalties and a maximum of 10.5 years in jail.
Attorney Sean Hessler immediately reviewed his case and devoted his time to resolving these issues on behalf of his client. The state did not proceed with the habitual substance offender charges as discussed during negotiations. Criminal lawyer Hessler was able to get him a plea agreement to a lesser included offense with one-year of work release. After everything was resolved, a year executed at home cleared up both matters.
The outcome of an individual case depends on a variety of factors unique to that case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any similar or future case.