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When someone is convicted of a crime in Indiana, one of the first questions their family often asks is: “What kind of prison will they go to, and what does that mean for their safety and future?” This concern is valid—Indiana has multiple correctional facilities, each with its restrictions, privileges, and risks. Understanding these distinctions is crucial, particularly for those facing serious or violent charges. In this blog, we’ll break down the prison system by…

Getting pulled into a criminal case when you didn’t actually commit the crime can feel confusing, frustrating, and downright unfair. Unfortunately, it happens more often than people realize, especially in Indiana where the law allows someone to be charged as an accomplice under certain circumstances. It’s common to ask, “Why am I being accused of a crime I didn’t commit?”   Indiana Code § 35-41-2-4 states: A person who knowingly aids, induces, or causes another…

The short answer is no, they don’t. Despite what rumors you might hear, there are no technicalities that can get you out of a speeding ticket that easily. At the end of the day a traffic infraction of any kind is a civil case, which means the state needs to prove their case “by a preponderance of the evidence”. This means “more likely than not”, or “probably” or “51% chance that it happened” if you…

No one should have to choose between a felony or a funeral.  This is the sentiment put forth by the Indiana Supreme Court on March 12, 2025 in its decision in Turner v. State (24SCR-147). In this, the Supreme Court reinforces the concept of Indiana’s self-defense laws.   The self defense statute in Indiana is defined by I.C. 35-41-3-2.  The statute provides that: A person is justified in using reasonable force against any other person…

Having a felony on your record can pose significant challenges.  A felony can hinder a person’s ability to find work as well as their ability to find a place to live.  Clearly, being charged with a felony is a big problem that can have life-altering consequences.  The ability to get a felony reduced to a misdemeanor is a huge opportunity, as misdemeanors do not carry nearly the weight of felony convictions.  Luckily, there are a…

In the world of criminal law, not all laws apply equally to everyone. Some acts are only illegal because the person committing them is under a certain age. These offenses, which are illegal only for minors (individuals under 18) but not adults, are known as “status offenses.” In other states, it may be called, “Juvenile laws.” The term “status offense” is used because these crimes are based on the offender’s status as a juvenile. Additionally,…

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is one of the most common charges in Indiana — in fact, hundreds of people around the state face these or similar charges in any given year. And, intuitively, most people know what that means. You can’t ‘operate’ a ‘vehicle’ while ‘intoxicated.’ Pretty straight forward, right? Not necessarily.  Indiana lays out all the ways you can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated in I.C. 9-30-5-1 through IC 9-30-5-15….

If you have an active warrant in Indiana it is essential to take immediate action. An outstanding warrant can result in an unexpected arrest, legal complications, and even difficulties securing employment or housing. Addressing the issue as soon as possible can help protect your rights and make sure you have a more favorable outcome. At Banks & Brower, we focus on criminal defense and have extensive experience in helping clients remove warrants in Indianapolis and…