Criminal Law

In Texas, misdemeanors can be expunged after a waiting period: 180 days for Class C and 1 year for Class A or B. The process includes filing a petition, attending a court hearing, and waiting for the judge’s order and record removal. This can take months, and consulting a criminal defense lawyer can help determine eligibility. Any person who has been arrested or convicted of a crime may want to have their Indianapolis criminal record…

Reasonable doubt is a legal standard in criminal cases, requiring the evidence to be so convincing that a reasonable person would not hesitate to act. This high standard protects defendants, as the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—though not to absolute certainty. In contrast, civil cases use lower standards like “preponderance of the evidence” or “clear and convincing evidence.” Anyone and everyone that has ever watched a crime show on TV can tell…

Key Takeaways Concurrent sentences run at the same time, while consecutive sentences run one after another. Indiana law requires consecutive sentences in certain situations under IC 35-50-1-2. Connected offenses generally cannot receive consecutive sentences. Indiana law limits the total length of consecutive sentences by the highest felony level. Plea agreements may specify whether sentences run concurrently or consecutively. A defendant facing more than one criminal charge in Indiana often hears the terms “concurrent” and “consecutive”…

Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVWI) is one of the most common crimes that people are charged with.  Most of us have unfortunately made the choice to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks.  The nightmare scenario, under those circumstances, is getting pulled over and becoming the target of an OVWI investigation. While there are several steps to an OVWI investigation, arguably the most impactful occurs when the police officer offers the suspect…

In Indiana, public intoxication laws go far beyond the common perception of someone being visibly drunk in public. Under Indiana law, being charged with public intoxication isn’t just about how intoxicated you are—it’s about your behavior. You can face legal trouble if your actions while under the influence of alcohol or drugs endanger others, cause a disturbance, or even alarm someone in a public space. For those in Indianapolis, a single lapse in judgment can…

It is often said that accusations, alone, are enough to change a life — nothing shows that more than a charge of Rape. The word, standing alone, says it all. It doesn’t require any explanation, and most people make an assumption as to what it means just in hearing the word. It is then sensationalized as a headline in the news to garner clicks, but all too often people don’t really know the intricacies of…

Many people (or loved ones) call our office after being convicted of or sentenced for a crime. They want to know what, if anything, may be done to undo what has occurred or to minimize the effects.  Occasionally we receive calls from people with similar questions about various types of civil cases.  For example, decisions by a judge in a divorce case or in some other type of case are often challenged. In this blog…

Split Sentence is a type of criminal sentencing where a defendant serves part of their time in jail or prison, followed by probation or supervised release. This approach balances punishment with rehabilitation, helping individuals reintegrate into society under strict oversight. At Banks & Brower, located at 8770 Purdue Road in Indianapolis, our experienced attorneys are dedicated to securing fair outcomes for our clients and their families. What is Split Sentencing in an Indianapolis Criminal Case?…