Self-defense in Indiana is a powerful and unique defense strategy that can turn the tide in many criminal cases. How does it work? Self-defense has four elements, or requirements. If these requirements are met, this can mean the difference between a defendant going...
We all know that real life is less than perfect, and at this point, pretty much everyone is familiar with the scene of the cranky old man telling people, “Get off my lawn!” It’s a cliché, it’s a meme, it’s a Clint Eastwood movie. Whether they mean to or not, the...
Residential entry is basically a subset of burglary. Burglary is a serious crime that has some scary stigmas attached to it. Moreover, burglary is a major felony, which is no fun unless you like jail time and hefty fines. Residential entry is in the same statutory...
Have you been hurt attempting the milk crate challenge? Can you file a claim for damages? I’m Attorney Marc Lopez, and I’ve been practicing law since 2006. I’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured people, and I’ve never seen anything like the...
Town and traffic court cases aren’t actually criminal matters—so how do you appeal the result? Attorney Marc Lopez turned to Attorney Matt Kroes for an explanation. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of their conversation. Marc LopezMatt—you’re in Hamilton...
The crime of resisting law enforcement isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. What does it mean to resist? If you refuse to follow an officer’s instructions, does that qualify as resistance? Does walking away? What if you do nothing at all? Under Indiana law,...
DUI / OVWI, DWI, OVWI—they all essentially mean the same thing in Indiana, right? Well, there are actually three separate, distinct situations that can lead to a DUI / OVWI charge in Indiana. It’s worth being familiar with these scenarios because: 1) they can happen...
Indiana’s expungement laws offer a great opportunity for Hoosiers who are tired of being haunted by past convictions. But what does the timeline look like? Attorney Marc Lopez turned to Attorney Zac Bailey for answers. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of...
Everyone knows that points on your license are a bad thing, but how does the system work? Attorney Marc Lopez turned to Attorney Matt Kroes for answers about license points and how they can affect driving privileges. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of...
If you get a second DUI / OVWI within seven years of a prior DUI / OVWI, it will be charged as a felony. A second DUI / OVWI is serious, not only because it’s charged as a felony, but also because of the different perspectives surrounding first and second-offense DUI...
