Constitutional Law
Indiana Supreme Court to Hold Oral Argument at Portage High School October 30, 2015
The Indiana Supreme Court will travel to Portage High School in Portage, Indiana on Friday, October 30, 2015 to hear the case, Leonard Suggs v. State of Indiana (02S03-1508-CR-510). The general public is invited to attend, along with students from various schools in Porter County. (The link to the Official Page can be found here.) … Continue reading Indiana Supreme Court to Hold Oral Argument at Portage High School October 30, 2015
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court: Illegal Police Dog Search after Traffic Stop
In a somewhat surprising decision, the United States Supreme Court has determined that police officers conducted an illegal police dog search of a car because the illegal police dog search occurred after the traffic stop has concluded. In Rodriguez v. United States, No. 13–9972, decided yesterday, April 21, 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided that conducting a … Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court: Illegal Police Dog Search after Traffic Stop
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court Heard Oral Arguments Monday in Facebook Free Speech Case
For the first time, the Nation’s highest court entertained oral arguments Monday on the issue of whether threatening comments posted on Facebook constitute criminal behavior or whether such comments are protected as Facebook free speech by the First Amendment of the United States Federal Constitution. (See SCOTUSBlog Coverage here.) (See Oral Argument Transcript here.) (See … Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court Heard Oral Arguments Monday in Facebook Free Speech Case
Read MoreKnow Your Rights: A Quick Reference Guide from a Porter County Criminal Defense Attorney
Hopefully, you never have to deal with law enforcement throughout your entire life. Most people don’t. Well, at least, as the subject of an criminal investigation. But chances are, at some point at some time in your life, you will be approached by an officer of law enforcement, if for no other reason, for a … Continue reading Know Your Rights: A Quick Reference Guide from a Porter County Criminal Defense Attorney
Read MoreIndiana Courts Throw Out Conviction Due to Officer’s Unlawful Entry
In a recent decision, Harper v. State of Indiana, 49A04-1305-CR-222 (Ind. App. 2014), the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed Harper’s conviction for Resisting Law Enforcement as a Class A Misdemeanor. The facts were as follows: Mrs. Harper was inside her home when officers arrived after being called to a domestic dispute. Mrs. Harper, at that … Continue reading Indiana Courts Throw Out Conviction Due to Officer’s Unlawful Entry
Read MoreCan Employers Legally Ask for Your Facebook Password?
Employers Asking for Facebook Login Info…? You’ve finally landed that “big interview” for your dream job. You’ve worked hard and gone to school, pressed your suit, researched the company, polished your resume, and you’re on the way. Everything is going great, but during the interview, the interviewer tells you, that as a condition of employment, … Continue reading Can Employers Legally Ask for Your Facebook Password?
Read MoreYour Right to Not Be Searched is Sacred — Protect Your Fourth Amendment Right
From the creation of our Democracy, it was one of the most fundamental and important concepts that the government cannot search your person or effects only in the most limited circumstances. Citizens have the right to refuse the government to search their persons, homes, vehicles, and property unless certain requirements are met. In Indiana, this … Continue reading Your Right to Not Be Searched is Sacred — Protect Your Fourth Amendment Right
Read MoreNew Indiana Public Intoxication Law Goes into Effect July 1, 2012
As of May 25, 2012, Governor Mitch Daniels has signed the new Public Intoxication law into effect. The new law will go into effect July 1, 2012. The intent of the new law, among other things, is to discourage potential drunk drivers from operating a motor vehicle, by not penalizing them by imposing criminal liability … Continue reading New Indiana Public Intoxication Law Goes into Effect July 1, 2012
Read MoreIndiana General Assembly Passes Law Designed to Renew Right of Self-Defense
In the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, the issue of “self-defense” is now capturing nationwide attention. However, it was already a fairly hot topic in the Indiana legal community following the 2011 case of Barnes v. State. In that case, the Indiana Supreme Court held that citizens no longer have a right to reasonably … Continue reading Indiana General Assembly Passes Law Designed to Renew Right of Self-Defense
Read MoreThe Trayvon Martin Shooting and the Uncertain Future of ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws
It is well known (and quite frankly flooding the media lately) about the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin. People most often discuss the racial tensions surrounding the shooting of Trayvon Martin by the [white] self-appointed neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman. What I would like to briefly discuss, however, are the implications of the law that could … Continue reading The Trayvon Martin Shooting and the Uncertain Future of ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws
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