Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Should You Contact a Lawyer if Police Want to Question You?
It is natural to be caught completely off guard if a police officer or detective contacts you and says they want to ask you some questions. Law enforcement officers often do this and when they do, they try to make it seem harmless. They may reinforce the idea that idea by telling you that… Read More »
FAQs About Search and Seizures in Indiana
Under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, everyone in the U.S. is protected from unreasonable search and seizure by law enforcement. Generally speaking, law enforcement officials can only conduct a reasonable search and seizure if they have a valid search warrant or, the search falls under an exception to the warrant requirement…. Read More »
What is Assault in Indiana?
In many states across the United States, “assault” is an enumerated state crime. The type of assault charges a person may face depends on many factors, including whether a weapon was used. However, in Indiana, there is no one statute that prohibits assault. Instead, in Indiana “assault” is addressed in the crimes of Intimidation,… Read More »
What are Your Responsibilities During a Traffic Stop in Indiana?
Traffic stops can be stressful and it is not always easy to know what to do. Taking certain actions, such as making too many unnecessary statements to the officer, can hurt your case. However, failing to take certain actions can also impede your case and may even result in additional charges. Although you do… Read More »
What are Your Rights During a Traffic Stop in Indiana?
Traffic stops are a part of driving and most people will be pulled over by police at least once in their lives. As common as they are, though, traffic stops are still very intimidating, particularly if you are unclear about your rights. Understanding how to handle a traffic stop in Indiana can ensure you… Read More »
How Do Plea Deals Work in Indiana?
Most people have heard the term ‘plea deals’ or ‘plea bargains,’ at some point in their life. In many cases, people are familiar with these terms because they have seen them in movies and on television shows. In Indiana, plea deals are formally known as plea agreements, and when a person is charged with… Read More »
What are Specialized Driving Privileges in Indiana?
Losing your driver’s license can feel like you have lost your independence. Going to work, getting to medical appointments, and taking your children to school are all daily tasks that can suddenly become immensely challenging. Although not all drivers are aware of it, you may be eligible for specialized driving privileges that can make… Read More »
Pros and Cons of Plea Agreements
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, the prosecution will likely offer you a plea deal. A plea deal, also known as plea bargains or plea agreements, are essentially a negotiation between yourself, through your lawyer, and the prosecutor. In most cases, they involve pleading guilty to a charge and agreeing to… Read More »
Is it Entrapment When Law Enforcement Goes Undercover?
Entrapment is an affirmative defense that can be used in certain criminal cases. However, this defense is shrouded in myths and misconceptions, largely due to people basing their understanding on what they have seen in movies and television shows. When investigators and law enforcement officers go undercover, it does not necessarily constitute entrapment. The… Read More »
What are Defenses to Assault in Indiana?
In Indiana, there is not a statute that recognizes assault as a standalone offense. Instead, the Indiana Code lists the crime of intimidation as the closest legal definition of the offense commonly known as assault in other states. Intimidation in Indiana is the offense of threatening someone or behaving in a way that causes… Read More »