A night out in Indianapolis can turn into a morning behind bars faster than anyone expects. If you’ve just been arrested in Marion County and released, the next 30 days are critical. What you do, or don’t do, during this period can shape everything about your criminal case.
At the Marc Lopez Law Firm, we help people every day who are navigating this exact moment. You’re overwhelmed, you’re unsure what comes next, and you want straight answers. Here they are.
Understanding Your Release: Cash Bond, Surety Bond, or OR?
Once you’re arrested, the court decides how you get out of jail. That release usually happens in one of three ways:
Cash Bond
You (or someone on your behalf) paid money directly to the jail.
If your case is resolved successfully, you can get most, or sometimes all, of this back.
Surety Bond
You paid a bondsman.
That money is gone, regardless of what happens in your case.
Own Recognizance (OR) Release
This is the “you’re free to go, but show up to court” option. It’s more common with first-time or low-level offenders.
These differences matter, but what matters even more are your conditions of release.
Your Bond Conditions Are Serious, Break Them and You Risk New Charges
The court doesn’t let people out without rules. Common conditions include:
No Alcohol Consumption
Common in DUI or alcohol-related cases.
Violating this condition can lead to a bond revocation and possibly additional charges.
No Contact Orders
Often issued in domestic violence or violent crime cases under Indiana Code 35-33-8-3.2.
A violation is a big deal. If you’re accused of contacting someone you’re ordered to stay away from, you’re looking at:
- Bond violation, and
- A new criminal charge under Indiana Code 35-46-1-15.1 (Invasion of privacy)
That means two separate warrants, one for the violation and one for the new offense.
This is where people often dig the hole deeper. Don’t do it. If a judge tells you not to contact someone, assume every call, text, DM, or indirect message is being monitored. Because it probably is.
The First 30 Days: Protecting Yourself Starts Now
Once you walk out of the jail doors, the clock is ticking. Evidence disappears. Videos get overwritten. Memories fade. This is why hiring a criminal defense attorney early can make a world of difference.
1. Preserving Evidence
Many businesses and homeowners only keep surveillance footage for 7 –30 days.
If your defense depends on video, waiting too long can mean losing it forever.
2. Protecting Your Record
Officers don’t always get things right. Reports may be incomplete or inaccurate.
Your lawyer can demand the preservation of:
- 911 calls
- Police body-cam footage
- Dispatch logs
- Medical records
- Witness statements
If this isn’t done quickly, it might be impossible later.
3. Starting Mitigation Immediately
Even if you’re innocent, taking proactive steps helps us negotiate with prosecutors and argue for reduced penalties. At the Marc Lopez Law Firm, we want our clients prepared.
Depending on your case, we may recommend:
Alcohol or Substance Abuse Evaluation
For DUI or possession cases, we send clients to county-certified evaluators, not random private counselors.
If it doesn’t count in court, it’s a waste of time.
Anger Management Classes
For violent or domestic-related offenses, even if you insist you didn’t start the fight.
We want you looking like a million bucks if prosecutors start pushing for harsher penalties.
These steps aren’t admissions of guilt. They’re strategic moves that help us fight for you.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
An Indianapolis arrest can derail your career, your family, and your future. The first days after release are confusing, and making the wrong move can make everything worse. But the good news is this: you’re not stuck.
You have rights.
You have options.
And you have a defense.
The Marc Lopez Law Firm has spent years helping people get through the exact situation you’re in. We know how Marion County handles criminal cases, we know how prosecutors operate, and we know how to protect you from making mistakes that can cost you everything.
Make the Right Call
If you’ve been arrested in Indianapolis, or if someone you care about is trying to figure out what to do next, call the Marc Lopez Law Firm at 317-632-3642.
Your future is too important to leave to chance.
And remember, always plead the 5th.
