2014

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Trespass, Residential Entry and Burglary

Trespass, residential entry and burglary all involve someone invading the property of someone else.  However, the elements to prove each crime and the penalties involved are significantly different.  This week’s blog will take a look at each in order from least serious to most serious. First we start out with the crime of trespass.  Everyone has seen the signs posted that say “no trespassing” or trespassers will be prosecuted, but how exactly does this crime…

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The Habitual Offender Status in Indiana

As many of you are aware, our General Assembly this year passed a comprehensive overhaul of our criminal code.  Some of the changes have been highlighted in previous blogs, and this week’s post takes a look at the habitual offender enhancement in its current form. What is a habitual offender? Habitual offender enhancements are used to increase the penalty for a given crime based on an individual’s criminal history.  The habitual offender enhancement must be…

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A Look at How Emancipation Works in Indiana

Understanding How Emancipation Works in Child Support Matters One of the most common calls we receive on family law related matters is in regards to what happens during an emancipation of a child for child support purposes. While most parents feel an obligation to pay child support for as long as they must by law, many also realize that many courts fail to cease income withholdings or child support payments at the exact moment they…

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How Child Support is Calculated in Indiana

Posted in On August 3, 2014

How is Child Support Calculated in Indiana?   – Have you ever wondered how child support is calculated?  The Indiana Supreme Court has adopted the Indiana Child Support Guidelines which lays out the standards for calculating child support and coincides with the Indiana Code. Under I.C. 31-16-6-1, a court can order either parent, or both parents, to pay any amount reasonable for support of a child.  Here’s a look at the factors a court may consider…

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Common Questions and Misconceptions with DUI Arrests

One of the most common arrests made in Indiana and throughout the country is for driving under the influence.  It can be committed by any driver of any type of vehicle who has had too much to drink or taken medications that have caused them to be impaired.  As it is such a common criminal charge, there are frequent questions and misconceptions when it comes to DUI cases.  This weeks blog takes a look at…

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A Look at the Charge of Theft Under the New Criminal Code

I’ve Been Charged with Theft – Now What? Recently we highlighted for you the significant changes that have taken place with respect to felony offenses in Indiana.  One change in particular merits special attention as much for its significance to many criminal defendants (and practitioners) as for its effect of making the punishment more proportional to the crime. Prior to the change in the law effective July 1, 2014, the theft statute read as follows:…

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Jail Phone Calls and the Ramifications of Saying Too Much

Jail Phone Calls — Is Someone Really Listening? YES! One of the biggest temptations for any defendant once they get behind bars is to call loved ones. Obviously, anyone in that situation would feel the need to reach out to their support group for help, advice, and/or direction. However, and almost without fail, we see instance after instance of inmates talking about the facts of their case to loved ones. And, in almost every single…

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If I Get Divorced, What Happens to My Retirement?

Posted in On July 6, 2014

Dividing Retirement Accounts in a Divorce—What exactly is a QDRO and how does it affect you? If you’re in the midst of a divorce, or have just recently been through one, chances are dividing retirement accounts is or was a major source of contention. Under Indiana law, the courts presume an equal division of property. Courts can deviate from the presumption, but going by the presumption of a 50/50 split, parties could divide each asset…

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