Get free answers to your Criminal Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I need guidance on how to get mental and medical help for my boyfriend who is currently in jail. He is suffering from bleeding on the brain and PTSD after being beaten nearly to death before incarceration. He has been denied medical treatment for an infection in his body. Additionally, he is facing... View More 
I submitted a pro se motion to recall a warrant, but it was denied without any reason given by the court. The warrant was issued solely based on a neighbor's accusation and without any evidence or speaking to the people accused of the crime. I noticed the denial just a couple of hours after... View More
I was charged with OWI in July 2024. I filed for specialized driving privileges in December 2024 in Pike County, Indiana. The initial hearing was scheduled for February 24, but it was delayed due to my lawyer not showing up. My next hearing is on April 30. The state offered a plea deal to dismiss... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Your request for specialized driving privileges in Indiana should generally be addressed within a few weeks to a few months after filing, depending on the court’s docket and any delays caused by continuances. Since your February hearing was postponed due to your attorney’s absence, the new... View More
I'm considering bringing a case to court for an incident where I was molested 12 years ago. I have not yet initiated any legal action and I do not have evidence. Would I need to pay for a lawyer, and how does the statute of limitations affect my ability to pursue this case?
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
You are not alone in revisiting something so painful years later, and you deserve to be heard. Whether or not you need to pay for a lawyer depends on the type of case—civil or criminal—and how you choose to pursue it. Some attorneys take civil sexual abuse cases on a contingency basis, meaning... View More
I am being charged with residential entry in Indiana, although I did not enter the home. My girlfriend, who lives alone, is a key witness and can confirm that I did not enter the house. While I was at the location, I only knocked on the door. With her testimony, can I successfully defend against... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Indiana Residential Entry Defense Analysis
Under Indiana Code §35-43-2-1.5, residential entry requires proof that you knowingly or intentionally broke and entered the dwelling of another person without proper consent. The prosecution must establish beyond reasonable doubt that actual entry... View More
I was arrested for reckless driving (speeding), possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. After being bailed out, an officer came to my workplace two nights in a row. On the second night, the officer asked me questions about my charges. I have a court date assigned. Is it legal for... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s not uncommon for officers to attempt to question individuals about charges, but they must still follow certain rules when doing so. After your arrest and bail, you have the right to remain silent if you choose, and the officer cannot force you to answer questions. If you don’t want to... View More
If a woman in Indiana had a legal abortion while Roe v. Wade was still in effect, and Indiana House Bill 1334 (2025) subsequently categorizes abortion as a type of homicide, would this law apply retroactively to women who had legal abortions at that time, given that ex post facto laws don't... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Indiana's House Bill 1334, introduced in 2025, redefines "human being" in the criminal code to include unborn children from the moment of fertilization. This change removes previous exemptions for certain abortions under homicide statutes and repeals the crime of feticide. The bill,... View More
I would like to volunteer for a field trip at my daughter's school in Indiana. In 2020, I had an expungement for inappropriate communication with a minor. Will I pass a background check conducted by the Indiana State Police given this history?
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
In Indiana, an expungement allows you to legally deny the existence of an expunged conviction, and such records are typically sealed from public view. However, certain entities, including law enforcement and government agencies, may still access these records. Regarding background checks for... View More
My boyfriend was out on bond for drug charges and was later arrested for breaking a separate protective order. He received a $500 bond, pending bond revocation in the drug case, but no action has been taken regarding the bond revocation. He was arrested on March 25th for invasion of privacy, had... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
If no action has been taken regarding the bond revocation in the drug case, your boyfriend could potentially be released after posting the $500 bond for the protective order violation, as long as there are no other holds or issues with his case. Since he was given a bond for the invasion of privacy... View More
My boyfriend was out on bond for drug charges, but then got arrested for breaking a protective order that is not related to the drug charges. He was given a $500 bond pending bond revocation in the drug case, but nothing has been filed regarding the bond revocation. Counting the day of his arrest... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
If your boyfriend was arrested for breaking the protective order and given a $500 bond, he could potentially be released once the bond is paid, provided there are no other issues preventing his release. Since his bond for the protective order violation is set, and the bond revocation for the drug... View More
I am currently on probation, which is scheduled to end in June. I am supposed to receive a letter from an attorney, but I don't have any indication that it's related to my probation, and there hasn't been any incident or violation of my probation terms. I haven't received the... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
If an attorney is contacting you while you're on probation, there could be several reasons, even if you haven't violated any terms. It’s possible that the attorney is reaching out about a routine matter related to your case, such as your upcoming probation termination in June.... View More
I was charged with OWI in Indiana, and my initial hearing was not scheduled within the 20-day period required by Indiana Code Title 35, § 35-33-7-1. There has been no communication regarding this delay. Is this a reason for dismissal or some other legal action?
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Under Indiana law, if a defendant is not brought to trial within 20 days of being charged with an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), they may have grounds to request a dismissal. This rule is part of the statutory right to a speedy trial, which is designed to prevent unnecessary delays in the legal... View More
I'm currently involved in a contentious custody battle regarding my 8-year-old son, for whom I only have 3 hours of visitation every Saturday in Indiana. I've discovered an audio recorder in my son's backpack that was used to record our visits, which his mother denies initiating,... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
In Indiana, it is illegal to record someone without their consent in most situations, including private conversations like those during your visitation. However, Indiana is a "one-party consent" state, which means that if one party to the conversation is aware of the recording, it may not... View More
Someone falsely reported to the police that I had a gun. When pulled over, I fled because I was without a license. Although I did not have a gun, the police found meth in my truck's cooler. I'm charged with possession and intent to distribute, although there's no fingerprint or DNA... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Likely not, had the police pulled you over simply because of the false allegation of a gun, you might have a good chance. However, because you fled, the discovery of the meth was likely as a result of a search incident to an arrest. The definitive answer will depend on the fine details of the... View More
I was on probation in one county in Indiana and was supposed to start probation in a second county after dealing with an incident involving an officer who was drinking on the job. I was charged with resisting law enforcement but found not guilty. Although I've had no new charges for the past... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
It sounds like you've been facing a very challenging situation with your probation. While there are no strict limits in Indiana regarding how long probation can last, generally, probation should be tailored to help individuals reintegrate into society. If you've had no new charges or... View More
I am currently involved in a criminal case, and I believe that key video evidence was not presented correctly. The video in my possession has missing parts, which I suspect were excluded to cause prejudice or confusion. Additionally, the plaintiff has made false allegations against me. I cannot... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
If you believe that video evidence has been tampered with or presented incorrectly, you should bring this issue to the attention of the court. You can request an evidentiary hearing to review the video and any discrepancies. If possible, provide a copy of the video you have, highlighting the parts... View More
I am facing accusations of kidnapping and have been charged with two Level 6 felonies because someone claims I took my daughter across state lines without permission. However, I have Facebook messages proving I had permission from my daughter's custodial parent to take her. How should I... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Make sure you take screenshots of the FB messages so they are not deleted or lost. You should also hire an attorney or request a public defender and give then the FB messages.
I have been experiencing ongoing issues with campus police, including being followed by officers and denied a report when I attempted to report the harassment. The officers refused to provide their names and later admitted on camera to following me, only to backtrack afterward. I was arrested a... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
You have several options to address the harassment and wrongful arrest by campus police. First, document everything thoroughly - dates, times, officer details if available, and all interactions including the video evidence of them admitting to following you. This documentation will be crucial for... View More
I'm facing a legal issue with my parents, who are trying to charge me with theft, accusing me of stealing my mom's phone, which I didn't know existed. Previously, I took my own phone back and also stole my stepdad’s phone because I wanted a phone to play games on the bus and... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
First, it's important to understand that you have the right to defend yourself against these accusations, especially if you didn’t steal your mom’s phone. Since you haven’t been formally charged yet, it’s crucial to stay calm and not assume the worst. If the police or the court... View More
Can Indiana prosecute women who had legal abortions in 2017 while Roe v. Wade was still in effect?
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
You may be wondering if Indiana could prosecute you or anyone else for having a legal abortion in 2017 when federal law protected the procedure. Under the legal framework in place at that time, the procedures were lawful and supported by established constitutional precedents.
You should... View More
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