Criminal Law

Legalizing Marijuana in Indiana!?

July 27, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

According to a recent Northwest Indiana Times article, Indiana may be moving its agenda toward decriminalizing marijuana–or even legalizing it for home production.   See Northwest Indiana Times article, “Region state senator leads charge for reform of Indiana marijuana laws” 24 July 2011. State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Portage) is proposing that Indiana loosen its marijuana laws–the … Continue reading Legalizing Marijuana in Indiana!?

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New Indiana Immigration Policy–Targets Immigrants, or the Fourth Amendment?

June 21, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

Just like in Barnes v. State, the law seems to favor “public safety” over intrusion into privacy, something our Forefathers warned heavily against.  This time, it isn’t the courts blazing the new trail, it’s the Indiana General Assembly: Northwest Indiana Times, “Judge Grills Indiana Attorney Over Immigration Law, 20 June 2011. The Indiana General Assembly … Continue reading New Indiana Immigration Policy–Targets Immigrants, or the Fourth Amendment?

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Indiana General Assembly Takes Quick Action to Amend Court’s Bad Decision

June 8, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

At the request of Indiana State Senators like Ed Charbonneau, the Indiana General Assembly has decided to form a panel to consider legislation overturning or amending the recent decision in Barnes v. State.  This is atypical for the IGA to do on such short notice, and it is probably due to the controversy of public … Continue reading Indiana General Assembly Takes Quick Action to Amend Court’s Bad Decision

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Indiana Conservative Camps Make Strange Bedfellows

June 1, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

I have obviously been thinking a lot about the recent Indiana Supreme Court Decisions, and they bother me a great deal to say the least.  I think this guy has the right idea, but is probably overstating the more thoughtful position. I definitely abhor the recent shots at liberty over the past couple of weeks … Continue reading Indiana Conservative Camps Make Strange Bedfellows

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Police: “Rest Assured, Rulings Will Have No Effect”

May 23, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

In an EzlerLaw Blog Entry last week, “Indiana Supreme Court Errs Heavily in Favor of Law Enforcement This Week in a Pair of Surprising Decisions”, I wrote about the controversial decisions the Indiana Supreme Court reached early last week.  In response to these decisions, two (2) editorials were written by the Northwest Indiana Times and … Continue reading Police: “Rest Assured, Rulings Will Have No Effect”

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Indiana Supreme Court Errs Heavily in Favor of Law Enforcement this Week in a Pair of Surprising Decisions

May 13, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

In two surprising legal opinions, Cornelius Tyrone Lacey, Sr. v. State of Indiana and Richard L. Barnes v. State of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court is arguably whittling down your rights against search and seizure.   See Northwest Indiana Times Article, “Court: Police Serving Warrant May Enter Without Knocking if Circumstances Justify It”, 10 May 2011;  … Continue reading Indiana Supreme Court Errs Heavily in Favor of Law Enforcement this Week in a Pair of Surprising Decisions

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Underage Drinking in Porter County – A ‘Crime’?

April 11, 2011 by: Chris Buckley

This may sound like common sense, but I would like to take a moment to write an article for our younger readers on a topic that is near and dear to their hearts–alcohol. Obviously, I am writing this even though my practice benefits from the (zealous) enforcement of this statute.  Despite the fact that I … Continue reading Underage Drinking in Porter County – A ‘Crime’?

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UPDATE: Don’t Drink and Drive in March 2010

March 29, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

According to the NWI Times, the March law enforcement blitz resulted in 247 arrests and 253 warnings through the effort of putting 55 additional state troopers out of the Lowell headquarters. Violations included speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane movement, not wearing your seatbelt and driving under the influence. If you have been cited under … Continue reading UPDATE: Don’t Drink and Drive in March 2010

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State Diversion Option: New Idea in Indiana for Traffic Offenders?

March 22, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

Joe Mahr and Gerry Smith of the Chicago Tribune wrote yesterday morning that Illinois is now offering a diversion program for traffic tickets. A diversion program is basically a probation program for traffic offenders. If you are cited for speeding or some other traffic infraction, and you have a relatively clean record, you can come … Continue reading State Diversion Option: New Idea in Indiana for Traffic Offenders?

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Frontal Phlebotomy Anyone? State House Closes Loophole in DUI Law

March 21, 2010 by: Chris Buckley

Lawyers always get a bad rap when it comes to finding loopholes. Sometimes, as a result of our “creativeness” or craftiness, guilty defendants can go free, when perhaps they could be convicted. Well, from early August until today, prosecutors all over the state of Indiana were heaving mad at an Indiana Court of Appeals decision … Continue reading Frontal Phlebotomy Anyone? State House Closes Loophole in DUI Law

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