When is a joke more than a joke? It might sound like a riddle, but the answer can have serious legal ramifications. That’s because the answer is “when a joke is actually a crime.” Today we’re looking at some situations when a so-called joke has led to trouble for the would-be comedian. Jokes About Bombs […]

If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime in Indiana, your attorney may have mentioned the possibility of “pretrial diversion.” But what does that mean? Does your lawyer stand in front of the judge, point, and yell, “Hey, Your Honor! What’s that, over there?” while you run the other way? Of course not. Let’s […]

How old is too old when it comes to driving? Of course, there’s no clear answer to that question. Plenty of drivers stay sharp into their 70s or even 80s, while others choose to give up their keys much earlier. But there is one fact that is crystal clear: senior citizens who drink and drive […]

DWI, DUI, OWI, or plain old drunk driving—it doesn’t matter what you call it, operating a car, commercial truck, or motorcycle under the influence of any intoxicating substance is a serious offense. You might not think it can get any more serious, but it can. Being stopped and charged with an extremely high-speed DUI is […]

What do you call it when a person has been drinking alcohol or using drugs and gets behind the wheel of a car—or any other type of vehicle? Most folks refer to this as “DUI,” which stands for driving under the influence. In Indiana, that crime is officially termed “Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated,” but […]

Being arrested for assault or battery is stressful for anyone. However, if you have a mental illness, the situation could feel even more traumatic, especially if you forgot your medication. Is it any defense against assault or battery to say you forgot your meds, though? Here’s when mental illness may be a defense against these […]

If your child gets arrested after a school fight, you’re probably worried about what happens next. What could they be charged with, and what are the possible long-term consequences? While the answers depend on the circumstances of each case, we can summarize the most common charges. Common Charges In Indiana, children under 18 can be […]

If you have been named in a protective order issued in Indiana, you must abide by the stipulations set forth in that order. Otherwise, you run the serious risk of being sentenced to time in jail, in addition to fines, community service, and other consequences. This is true regardless of the reason the order was […]

In March 2022, a now-retired Indiana teacher was arrested for battery and charged with a Level 6 felony after hitting a student in a school hallway. Surveillance footage shows high school teacher Michael Hosinski grabbing a student’s rucksack before slapping him across the back of the head, and according to the Baugo school board, the […]

Most people are familiar with the Insanity Defense primarily from popular TV shows and movies. I’ll briefly review the history as well as demystify some common misperceptions about this affirmative defense. (I discussed affirmative defenses in an earlier blog, which you can read by clicking the link I’ve provided at the end of this blog). […]