The Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms is one of the oldest and core liberties contained in our Constitution. This same right is found in the Indiana Constitution.1 Yet, that right may be the most polarizing issue debated in today’s society. In the reflection of this, so to speak “hot topic” issue, the Legislature and Congress have enacted ever-changing laws. It is important to stay current with these changes to ensure you are following the law and avoid negative consequences. For example, what happens if someone steals your gun and ... Read More
21
Feb2019
21
Aug2018
You have been convicted and sentenced. You may have even filed a direct appeal and lost. You are not guilty, or the State did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. So, you want to file a Petition for Post-Conviction Relief (“PCR”). The remedy of PCR is one of the most difficult criminal procedures to interpret and understand and has little chance of success if the rules and laws are not strictly followed. Errors in filing can result in waiver of this remedy. For this reason, you should have an attorney ... Read More
30
Jul2018
In Indiana, and in virtually all other courts across the United States, attorneys and judges have “wrestled” with evidentiary issues surrounding social media (is it admissible?) in all sorts of ways in civil and criminal cases: How do you authenticate something is actually real (versus fabricated) in cyberspace, never existing in a tangible form? Many of these questions have been addressed by trial and appellate courts. Now Facebook posts are routinely authenticated and used in civil and criminal courts; some courts have even allowed a spouse to a divorce to serve divorce ... 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
21
Nov2017
Criminal matters are generally thought of in two or three categories: Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions.1 Generally, infractions are offenses that are punishable by a fine but not jail time, such as a speeding or parking ticket. Felonies and misdemeanors are labeled by numbers regarding the level of crime and this letter may indicate the level of punishment assigned to the crime. The most significant issue for a defendant is to wind up with a Felony conviction as this may cause loss ... Read More
11
Oct2017
In Indiana, it a now clearly crime to send (disseminate) matter harmful to “minors”.1 In 2009, this statute was held unconstitutional because the age of consent to sexual activity was 16.2 The legal reasoning was if one can consent to sexual activity at 16, one can receive nude photos.
In the recent Thaker case, Mr. Thaker sent an explicit photo of his genitals to a 16-year-old girl in Oregon. After learning about the photo, the FBI contacted the Indiana police ... Read More
24
May2017
A great deal of criminal law turns on bedrock constitutional tenets set forth in the United States Constitution, in particular, the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments. Anytime police are searching your car or home, the Fourth Amendment applies in several ways. One of the misunderstood concepts is protective sweeps for officer safety, a topic again just addressed by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Obviously, at this time with police officers in some areas being targeted, it makes sense that in a stop of a car or ... Read More
19
Apr2017
As with all cases brought against an individual or family (civil or criminal), the State has the burden of proof. With respect to neglected children (“CHINS”) or children who commit acts that would be crimes (“Juvenile Delinquents”) if an adult, the Indiana Department of Child Services (“DCS”) acts for the State. In a recent case, a divided Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a Child in Need of Services (“CHINS”) determination against a father. This case has three key holdings or points for ... Read More
09
Mar2017
Maybe and Maybe Not!
Criminal prosecution and defense, as with the rest of law and society, has become complex. Thus, even routine criminal cases should be pair an accused with an informed and skilled defense counsel. The Indiana Supreme Court’s recent case on Miranda warning in a field sobriety checkpoint reflects this need.
Typically, during any police detainment of any duration and questioning, Miranda warnings apply. However, in State v. Brown, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled consistently with ... Read More
15
Feb2017
In today’s world, key evidence needed in criminal and civil proceedings exists in the digital world and may be a composite of pictures, texts, and third-party statements. A key recent ruling of the Indiana Court of Appeals makes clear the Rules of Evidence and authentication of such as true cannot be objectionable to thwart justice.
This blog post covers some of the key points of that case and the care that everyone should exercise using social media. The key ... Read More