Most of us understand we have a Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. This means in any civil matter, administrative proceeding, or criminal context, we can choose to assert our Fifth Amendment privilege and remain silent; we cannot be forced to say anything that might expose (incriminate) us to criminal prosecution. This blog explores a key case now brought by the defense and appellate attorneys to the Indiana Court of Appeals1 that will decide if the Fifth Amendment privilege applies to ... Read More
06
Jun2018
29
May2018
A taboo topic that has been around for decades has been sexual activity or assault between siblings and what is a normal part of the human development process. A 2002 study by the US Department of Health and Human Services found that at least 2.3 percent of children have been sexually abused by a sibling. When this type of disclosure is made (or abuse) it is required to be reported to the Indiana Department of Child Services who ... Read More
30
Apr2018
What Parents (And Those Around Children) Need to Know About Removal as Punishment and Its Connection to Divorce, DCS Investigations, And Criminal Charges
Parents who have children heavily involved with the use of electronics have all probably observed a “meltdown” when devices are taken as a form of punishment.
However, with a certain segment of children—even very young children—mainstream psychology publications began widely reporting in 2017 various psychological issues with detachment and depression with removing electronic devices from the child. Pre- and teenagers had some changes ... Read More
26
Mar2018
Every litigant in Indiana administrative proceedings or trial courts has the ultimate right to appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Trial courts make many orders, but typically it is the last one deciding the issues that is the final order that is subject to appeal. Usually. However, life and law are complex and sometimes an appealed order is not final as to all of the issues or not a final order at all. A recent case, ... Read More
28
Feb2018
Probation is often a tool used by trial courts and is normally within their discretion to order in most cases. It is obviously a desirous outcome for judges, the community, and defendant. Most of the time it keeps the defendant out of jail, at home and work, and the taxpayers from paying for criminal incarceration. However, violations of the terms of probation, such as drug use determined by a positive drug screen, may result in a violation of probation (VOP) being filed by ... Read More
25
Jan2018
What You Need to Know About the Crime of Criminal Recklessness!
Normally, incidents ranging from an auto accident to throwing a rock and hurting someone are civil matters. As a result, you may sue or be sued in civil court under a tort theory. Sometimes negligent acts are covered by auto or homeowner’s insurance coverage and sometimes not. However, at some indeterminate point, negligent acts cross the line and become criminal matters. Do you know where this line is at, and when your actions may be ... Read More
09
Jan2018
Several years ago, the Legislature passed an expungement statutory scheme to “expungement” or remove old felonies and other arrest and misdemeanor convictions occurring in Indiana from a person’s criminal history. Expunged crimes were basically removed from a person’s criminal history, with the exception of certain uses by law enforcement or in the case of subsequent crimes.
These expungement statutes recognized people change over a long period of time. However, many remained “haunted” and limited in their daily life by an old criminal history. This is ... Read More
05
Jan2018
Yes. A juvenile delinquency investigation is effectively a criminal investigation. If your child has an inquiry made by the police, you need to know his or her rights to be a parent and the consequences of this type of case to minimize the impact of such an investigation and give your child the constitutional protections available to them. The serious nature of a delinquency investigation is the purpose of this blog post, as anecdotal evidence suggests this is grossly misunderstood by parents.
You ... Read More
03
Jan2018
In criminal and domestic cases in particular, a litigant is often at his or her lowest point in life, facing a serious criminal charge or a messy and protracted divorce. The outcome of the case may shape their future. For this reason, most lawyers have encountered family and friends wanting to pitch-in to fund a proper case for a loved one. The question that arises is what are the ethical and practical limits to third-party payers. This is the focus of this blog post.
The first ... Read More
19
Dec2017
In Indiana, there are thousands of DCS’ investigations each year. Many result in filing a petition to open a CHINS’ action against the parents. In the initial investigation from the DCS to and through the hearing, if a CHINS petition is filed, parents have the constitutional right to counsel. The question this blog post focuses on is, “Should parents have private counsel?”
The answer is “probably.” There are four key reasons parents should seriously consider counsel. First, a CHINS’ proceeding ... Read More