by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Mar 4, 2026 | Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, Self-Defense
How One Minute Can Decide Your Criminal Case If you ever have to defend yourself, the most dangerous moment isn’t the attack itself. It’s the minute after the police arrive. Time and again, we see good, law-abiding people make decisions that haunt them for years, not...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 27, 2026 | Domestic Battery, Domestic Violence, Protection Order
If you’ve had a protective order (also referred to as a protection order) filed against you, the court that issued the order will likely schedule a hearing. While it may be related to criminal charges, a protective order itself is not criminal in nature. Do you need...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 25, 2026 | Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, Drug Charges, Search and Seizure
What to Do When Police Claim to Smell Marijuana in Indiana You’re driving home. It’s been a good night. Suddenly, the red and blue lights pop up behind you. You pull over, thinking it’s a routine stop. Then the officer says the five words that make your stomach drop:...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 23, 2026 | Alcohol, Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, DUI, OVWI
Is OWI worse than DUI in Indiana? No. OWI and DUI are the same offense under Indiana law. The difference is purely terminology. Indiana uses OWI, while other states use DUI. Why does Indiana use the term OWI instead of DUI? Indiana law focuses on operating a vehicle,...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 18, 2026 | Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, Handgun, Search and Seizure
You follow the law. You carry your firearm responsibly. You never expect that a routine traffic stop could end with you in handcuffs for a gun you legally own. Unfortunately, it happens more often than people realize, and most drivers don’t know enough about their...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 16, 2026 | Alcohol, Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, DUI, OVWI, SDP
What is the difference between DUI, OWI, and OVWI in Indiana? In Indiana, DUI is a commonly used term, but the actual criminal charge is OVWI, which stands for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. You may also hear OWI used interchangeably. They all refer to drunk...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 11, 2026 | Firm Update, General
We are proud to announce that Attorney Marc Lopez has been selected to Super Lawyers, and Attorneys Naun Benitez and Zac Bailey have been selected to Rising Stars. These distinctions are not based on applications or self-promotion. They are earned through a rigorous,...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 11, 2026 | General, Protection Order
A restraining order can feel like the world is closing in on you, especially if it’s based on exaggerations, misunderstandings, or outright fiction. The good news? A restraining order isn’t always the final word. There are several ways these cases can be dismissed,...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 9, 2026 | Alcohol, Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, DUI, OVWI, SDP
Frequently Asked Questions About OVWI and DUI in Indiana Is OVWI the same as a DUI in Indiana? Yes and no. OVWI is Indiana’s legal term for what most people call a DUI, but the law is broader. OVWI stands for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, and it covers...
by Marc Lopez Law Firm | Feb 4, 2026 | Criminal Charges, Defenses to Criminal Charges, Handgun
Carrying a firearm comes with responsibility. Most people understand that part. What many don’t realize is that every time they carry a gun, they’re stepping into two potential fights. The first fight is obvious: surviving the encounter. The second fight is the one...
