August 2026

The terms “protected person hearing” and “child hearsay hearing” refer to the same proceeding — both are names used interchangeably for the hearing conducted under I.C. 35-37-4-6. There is essentially no substantive legal distinction between the two terms; they both describe the statutory mechanism governing the admissibility of out-of-court statements by children and certain other vulnerable individuals in criminal proceedings. See, e.g., L.H. v. State, 878 N.E.2d 425, 428 (Ind. 2007) (where the court referred to this statute as the “protected person” or “child…

Key Takeaways Indiana classifies child molestation as a Level 3 felony at baseline, rising to Level 1 under aggravating factors. Fondling or touching a child under 14 is charged as a Level 4 felony, elevating to Level 2. Indiana felony sentencing ranges for these offenses run from two years up to 50 years in prison. Indiana law places no statute of limitations on this offense, regardless of how much time has passed. Vicarious sexual gratification…

Social media influencer Andrew Tate was arrested in Miami, Florida on July 18, 2026.  Along with his brother Tristan, Andrew is detained in federal custody pursuant to extradition action.  This case is facilitated by the federal government of the United States at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service of the United Kingdom.  The Crown Prosecution Service has filed 59 combined charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate, including rape, sexual abuse and human trafficking.  Once…

Key Takeaways Detectives often question your friends, family, or coworkers quietly while building a case. Subpoenas for phone, bank, or employment records often signal an active, confidential investigation. Indiana’s MyCase system shows only already-filed charges, not investigations that remain open. You retain the right to remain silent, even during informal police questioning. Documenting police contact and preserving records helps protect your position during an investigation. A knock at the door from a detective, an unusual…

You are getting ready to file for a divorce and may start to think whether or not you really need a divorce attorney.  You may get along with your soon to be ex-spouse and think an attorney will complicate things.  You may already have an agreement with them and think why you need an attorney to draft the settlement agreement.  You may also wonder whether it is even worth it.   Having a divorce attorney…

Key Takeaways Indiana treats unauthorized access to trade secrets or protected data as a Level 6 felony under state law. A Level 6 felony conviction can bring six months to two and one-half years in prison. Fines for a Level 6 felony conviction may reach ten thousand dollars in addition to prison time. Trade secrets, copyrighted works, and trademarks each face distinct forms of theft under Indiana law. Victims can pursue both criminal charges and…