Everyone assumes a criminal charge only happens to other people. Then it happens to you, or to someone you love, and suddenly the details of criminal procedure matter more than anything else in your life.
Mark K. Gruenhagen has spent more than 30 years defending people in Lake County and Northwest Indiana. He concentrates on felonies at the state and federal level, and he handles serious misdemeanors with the same intensity. Every case is different, but every client gets the same thing: a prepared, aggressive defense and straight answers about where they stand.
What’s at Stake in an Indiana Criminal Case
Indiana divides crimes into misdemeanors and felonies, and felonies are ranked by level according to how serious the charge is. Either way, a conviction can bring jail or prison time, fines, probation and a permanent criminal record.
The consequences rarely stop at the courthouse door. A record can follow you into job interviews, apartment applications, professional licensing, firearm rights and, for non-citizens, immigration status. That’s why the decisions you make in the first days after an arrest matter so much.
Charges Mark Defends
From first-time offenses to complex federal cases, Mark defends a wide range of felony and misdemeanor charges, including:
Drug Offenses
Possession, manufacturing, dealing and trafficking charges — where search-and-seizure issues can make or break the case.
Property Offenses
Burglary, theft, conversion, fraud and forgery. Intent, value and ownership are often very much in dispute.
Violent Crime Offenses
Few charges are more serious. Battery, robbery and other violent offenses demand a lawyer who is ready for trial.
Federal Charges
Federal cases move differently and carry serious exposure. Mark is admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana and various other federal courts.
How Mark Builds Your Defense
Good defense work starts long before trial. Mark takes apart the prosecution’s case piece by piece:
- The stop, search and arrest. Was there a lawful reason to stop you? Was the search legal? Evidence gathered in violation of your rights may be challenged and kept out of court.
- The evidence and witnesses. Lab results, video, statements and witness accounts are tested for gaps, mistakes and inconsistencies.
- Negotiation from strength. Prosecutors make better offers to lawyers they know are ready to try the case. Sometimes the best result is a dismissal or a reduced charge.
- Trial. When a fair resolution isn’t on the table, Mark takes your case in front of a jury.
Don’t let anyone rush you into a plea. Less experienced representation can wrongly convince you a guilty plea is your only option. Get an experienced trial lawyer’s opinion first.
From Arrest to Your First Court Date
After an arrest you’ll usually be booked — fingerprinted and photographed — and then either released on your own recognizance or held until bail is set. Bail (or bond) is money or property posted to guarantee you’ll come back to court. If you appear as required, it’s generally returned at the end of the case; miss court or violate your release conditions, and it can be forfeited and a warrant issued.
At your first court appearance you’ll be told the official charges and a plea is entered — usually not guilty. Bond and release conditions are addressed, and your lawyer can argue for reasonable terms. Having Mark there from the start protects your rights and sets the tone for everything that follows.
What to Do Right Now
If you’ve been arrested, charged or contacted by investigators, these steps protect you:
Avoid These Mistakes
- Don’t answer questions or try to “explain your side” to police without a lawyer.
- Don’t consent to searches of your car, phone or home.
- Don’t plead guilty — or accept a “deal” — before a lawyer reviews your case.
- Don’t discuss the case on social media, by text or on jail phone calls.
Protect Yourself
- Stay calm and polite, and clearly say you want a lawyer.
- Write down everything you remember while it’s fresh: times, places, names and witnesses.
- Save paperwork, messages, receipts and anything else that may be evidence.
- Call Mark at (219) 322-3000. The earlier, the better.
Criminal Defense FAQ
When should I call a lawyer?
Sooner than you think. As soon as you learn that police or another agency are looking into you — or right after an arrest — it’s time to call. An early call can sometimes head off charges, arrange a surrender that avoids a public arrest, and keep you from being questioned without counsel.
If I’m innocent, do I still need a lawyer?
Yes. Hiring a lawyer isn’t an admission of guilt — it’s how innocent people protect themselves. Charges are sometimes stacked high to pressure a defendant into a quick deal. Mark makes sure you understand what the evidence really shows before you decide anything.
What happens at my first court date?
At the initial hearing (often called an arraignment), the court formally advises you of the charges and your rights, a plea of not guilty is typically entered, and release conditions or bond are addressed. It’s the first chance to start shaping your case, so it’s best not to go alone.
Can charges be dropped if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges?
Not automatically. In Indiana, the prosecutor — not the alleged victim — decides whether to file or dismiss criminal charges. A case can move forward even when the person who called the police changes their mind, which is why you need a defense either way.