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Indy 500/Memorial Day Blog   “Gentlemen, start your engines!”  Those four iconic words signal the beginning of the Indianapolis 500, the main event of an entire month built around The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.  Events like concerts, party tents, and other gatherings, including the famed “Snake Pit” – sometimes known as The Greatest Spectacle in Partying – are the main attractions for some visitors.  But unfortunately for many, the revelry ends with four less exciting…

One of the most common phone calls we get in our criminal defense office is from random defendants asking questions about an open warrant for their arrest. Obviously, and understandably, they are scared and want to know all the options. Typically what they think they know and what they learn after talking to us couldn’t be farther apart. Thus, having received hundreds, if not thousands, of calls from defendants on their outstanding criminal warrants, we’ve…

You have seen it a number of times on TV, or if you’re real unlucky, maybe you have even seen it in person.  They are the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.  They consist of the “eye test,” the walk and turn and the one leg stand.  The “eye test” is actually the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. Sounds like a funny name for a test that just sees if you can follow the tip of a…

Arrested at Little Five in Bloomington? Now What? Though many parents would like to deny it, almost every single college kid is either drinking underage at some point, or partaking in some type of lawless behavior — just usually in the privacy of their own apartments, dorms, or friends’ houses. Yet, without fail, that delinquent behavior seems to leak its way into the public streets whenever a large college event is occurring. Be it an…

When we meet with clients after they have been arrested and accused of a criminal offense, they tend to be scared, nervous, uncertain and concerned about the future.  In this weeks blog we look at 10 of the most common questions we receive from those that are arrested. Q1.  Am I going to have to serve time in jail if I’m convicted? A:  It depends.  If your crime is a D felony or misdemeanor and…

A Quick Look at Indiana’s Sex or Violent Offender Registry Requirements  Most criminal cases bring some sort of self-shame to a defendant’s life. Whether it is the requirement to check “yes” on a background application question on criminal history or being unable to own or possess a firearm from a felony, etc. — we all know criminal convictions have a huge impact on peoples’ lives. Moreover, obviously, some crimes have larger effects than others. And,…

Banks & Brower are accepting resumes for the position of Associate Attorney.  The ideal candidate will have experience in Criminal and Family Law.  Litigation experience is required.  All applications should be received no later than April 25th.  Pay will be commensurate with experience.  The position will have retirement benefits but no health insurance will be offered.

For this week’s blog we take a look at one of Indiana’s most comprehensive white collar crime charges.  Racketeering and the crime of Corrupt Business Influence govern much of the “white collar” crime in Indiana.  To understand this charge we must first start with the definition of racketeering. The legislature explained racketeering when it legislatively define what “pattern of racketeering activity” means.  Per Indiana code, “Pattern of racketeering activity” means engaging in at least two (2) incidents…