Key Takeaways Indiana’s Romeo and Juliet law is a statutory defense, not a standalone protection. The age of consent in Indiana is 16; conduct involving anyone younger may result in criminal charges. The defense requires the defendant to be under 21 and no more than four years older than the younger party. Force, coercion, drugs, or a position of authority over the younger person eliminates eligibility entirely. Sexual misconduct with a minor is a Level…
One of the most common questions we answer is “hey my kid picked up a case in juvenile court do I need to hire him/her an attorney?” The answer in most instances is yes and here are the primary reasons why: While a juvenile record is not public it is still viewable to the law enforcement community and can be held against them in the future; Minor offenses many times may be able to avoid…
Key Takeaways Indiana Code 35-44.1-3-1 makes fleeing or resisting a law enforcement officer a Class A misdemeanor. Using a vehicle to flee elevates the offense to a Level 6 felony under Indiana law. Injuries, weapons, or reckless driving during a chase can raise charges to a Level 3 or Level 2 felony. A Level 2 felony conviction carries a fixed prison term of between 10 and 30 years. Several statutory and factual defenses exist depending…
Key Takeaways Indiana law sets no fixed cap on how many times can a court date be pushed back. Judges weigh the reason given, not just the number of prior continuances requested. Indiana Criminal Rule 4 allows a ninety-day extension when the state shows specific conditions are met. Speedy trial protections exist to prevent indefinite delay, not to forbid every continuance. Repeated postponements without good cause grow harder to justify as a case moves forward….
Key Takeaways Courts typically issue no contact orders as a bail, bond, probation, or sentencing condition. When a violent crime causes bodily injury and bail is granted without a hearing, Indiana law imposes a no contact condition automatically. Violating a no contact order qualifies as invasion of privacy, a Class A misdemeanor that can rise to a Level 6 felony. The protected party’s wishes carry weight with a judge, but they alone cannot get an…
Key Takeaways Probation is court-ordered supervision allowing someone to remain in the community under defined conditions. Indiana law authorizes courts to revoke probation when any condition is violated during the probationary period. Community corrections programs include work release, home detention, and day reporting as alternatives to incarceration. A community corrections director can modify, continue, or escalate placement terms when a violation occurs. A violation hearing is not a criminal trial, but the outcome can result…
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Brad Banks who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney.