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Voluntary departure is a form of relief available in immigration proceedings that allows certain noncitizens to leave the United States on their own accord within a specified period of time, rather than being formally removed (deported) by the government. While it may appear straightforward, voluntary departure carries significant legal and practical consequences that should be carefully considered. What Is Voluntary Departure? Voluntary departure is a discretionary form of relief authorized under the Immigration and Nationality…

Key Takeaways Spitting on another person qualifies as battery under Indiana law, not merely a social offense. Indiana Code 35-42-2-1 classifies spitting on someone as a Class B misdemeanor at minimum. Charges escalate to a felony when a serious or communicable disease is involved. A conviction carries fines, jail time, and long-term consequences for employment and housing. Early legal intervention shapes how prosecutors evaluate and resolve battery charges. Spitting on another person is not just…

If you or a loved one have been arrested or charged with a crime, you are probably wondering, how do I even go about hiring an attorney for this?  This is particularly true if this is your first time in the criminal justice system.  Thankfully, the process is not as hard as it seems!  Here, we have a step-by-step process to simplify it for you. Step 1: Start Reaching Out to Attorneys The first thing…

Key Takeaways Indiana courts issue warrants when defendants miss required court appearances. A bench warrant remains active until the court recalls or resolves it. Failure to appear may also bring fines, license suspension, or new charges. Voluntary court appearance may receive a different response than arrest. An attorney may request a hearing and seek warrant recall or reasonable release. Facing an active warrant often brings urgency, confusion, and real concern about arrest. Many people start…

Many young people have roommates, and some of those roommates may use, deal, or otherwise possess illegal drugs. Some may wonder if they can get in trouble for drugs their roommate has in their possession. You can’t always control what a roommate does! Others aren’t necessarily in a financial position to be picky about who they live with. Well just because your roommate has or uses drugs, does not necessarily mean you can get in…

Key Takeaways Form I-765 gives certain noncitizens a path to request lawful work authorization. Approval may result in an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), depending on eligibility category. Eligibility ties to immigration classification rather than geographic location. USCIS may issue receipt notices, Requests for Evidence, or other follow-up notices during review. For many applicants relying on Form I-765, acceptable employment authorization documentation is generally required before beginning work. For many people in Indianapolis, questions about what…

Key Takeaways A NOID states USCIS plans to deny based on identified concerns. A NOID is not a final denial and allows response before decision. USCIS policy may require notice and an opportunity to respond when relying on certain derogatory information unknown to the applicant. A NOID includes a response deadline, and failure to respond may result in denial. Responses must address each concern with organized evidence and direct explanations. Receiving a letter from U.S….

Getting an expungement can be one of the greatest life-changing events for someone with a criminal history. Why? Because it often takes an eraser to your criminal past – allowing people to start anew and with a fresh perspective on life. We at Banks & Brower, LLC, as experienced expungement attorneys, love helping people through this process. It is incredibly rewarding to watch the positive effect an expungement can have. Sadly, the legislature has made…