According to an insightful editorial in the Indianapolis Star, the Pew Center of States and the Council of State Governments, both of which have helped other states in similar predicaments, are looking to assist Indiana in preventing the massive cost increases in the years to come. Having made small changes in Texas that paid off in major ways, these organizations have the know-how if lawmakers have the willingness to learn.

The Indiana criminal code hasn’t been changed since 1974. In the past decade, 117 laws have been passed that lengthen prison sentences while none were passed that reduced them. It’s no mystery why the costs continue to climb when the inmate populations increased 41% while neighboring states only saw jumps from 1 to 13%.

But, doesn’t prison make us safer? No. Countless studies have shown alternative sentences to be much better at reducing recidivism than prison time. Prison is not just a punishment for the people sentenced there, it’s a punishment for all of society.

The vast majority of prison sentences are less than 10 years. This means all of those “criminals” that we seek to take off the streets will be back. Wouldn’t you rather see them rehabilitated?

So, what can be done? A major reevaluation of the sentencing procedures is a good place to start as is the development of quality alternatives to incarceration. Day treatment centers, intensive probation programs, and halfway houses are all much cheaper than prison and may serve to be more effective when implemented correctly.

Despite Indiana’s hard to break tough-on-crime mentality, there are some options available to you when you are accused of a crime. Especially if your record is clean, you may qualify for probation. Even if you have a record, though, an aggressive defense attorney will fight tooth and nail to ensure you get the best results possible while in court.

Whether you are facing OWI or drug possession charges, contact our attorneys today for a consultation on your case and to discuss the options that may be available to you.

According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, a new online system allows citizens to report possible meth related crimes to the state police. Yet another system, provided by the Tennessee Meth Task Force is designed specifically to assist law enforcement and the pharmacies who sell pseudoephedrine.

What was once tracked on a paper system which had to be physically collected from pharmacies by law enforcement can now be electronically entered in the software system by the pharmacy staff. From there, law enforcement can easily search for people who have bought the product from multiple pharmacies and find those who have a history of meth related crimes.

In addition to searching for local offenders, Indiana police can share information with other law enforcement agencies across state lines. While the system won’t necessarily stop new meth labs, it could lead to more of them getting discovered and a subsequent rise in statistics.

Some officials would like to see cold medications containing pseudoephedrine reclassified as a prescription medication. This was the case until the 1970s when it was made available over the counter. As it stands, despite efforts to restrict the sale, people who are dead-set on getting the medication will drug store hop, going from one to the next until they have enough to make meth.

Because methamphetamine is so addictive and can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life and their family, law enforcement is serious about cutting down on the amount of the substance made in Indiana. As a matter of fact, last year, police in Indiana busted more meth labs than ever before.

The penalties for making meth are extremely serious. But the penalties for simply possessing the drug can be life-changing as well. Even if you are caught with less than 3 grams of the drug, you could be facing up to 3 years in prison and a Class D felony conviction on your record.

Being charged with meth possession is a serious matter than should be handled with the utmost care. If you are facing charges like this, a defense attorney can help you determine what steps to take to ensure you get the best results possible on your day in court.

Please contact us to discuss any Indiana drug or criminal charges. We can work together to decide the best course of action to defend you in court.

According to WLKY, the money was believed to mostly have been used to purchase drugs. The suspects had marijuana, pills, and fake bills on them at the time of their arrests. There were also weapons found in the apartment.

Federal charges are frequent in counterfeiting operations as the money is property of the U.S. Government. However, in this case, investigators haven’t said for certain if federal charges will be filed.

Although the money was believed to have been used for drugs, the five also passed bills at local, family-owned convenience stores where they were regular customers. In all, the police recovered around $4,000 in fake cash.

Crimes like counterfeiting are felonies and considered a type of fraud crime. Although counterfeiting is rare, it isn’t unheard of. Far more common are the fraud charges of bad checks and identity theft.

For a charge of “check deception” in Indiana, you will face a Class A misdemeanor and up to 1 year in prison with $5,000 in fines. However, if the check in question is more than $2,500, your charges will be elevated to a Class D felony and you will face closer to 3 years in prison and fines of $10,000.

Unlike check deception, identity theft is always considered a felony charge and one that the courts take very seriously. It is usually filed as a Class D felony with 3 years and $10,000 as maximum sentences.

All crimes like this have one thing in common—the pursuit of something that you aren’t lawfully entitled to. Whether it’s money or goods and services, fraud crimes typically involve deceit with the intention of gaining something of value.

You don’t have to be a hardened criminal to face charges like counterfeiting, bad checks, or identity theft. On the contrary, people from all walks of life face these charges. If you are up against fraud charges and need the assistance of a defense lawyer, we can help.

Contact our attorneys today to discuss the details of your case and how we can go about getting you the best results possible on your day in court.

According to the South Bend Tribune, the boy was walking to a friend’s house with a toy gun in hand when a police officer stopped him, believing the weapon to be real. The boy followed the officer’s instructions and was quickly shoved to the ground by the cop, who put his knee in the youth’s back.

The child took advantage of the officer’s distraction and ran away while the cop radioed for back up in pursuit of an “armed white male”, not stating the child was no longer in possession of the “gun”.

Police caught the child and tasered him. A police dog was released on him who cornered the boy, causing him to climb on to a parked car. The dog tore into the child’s thigh and foot before dragging him down from the car. He was tasered two more times before the incident was over.

It was only after a female officer on the scene stated she was taking him to the hospital, seeing his leg “spurting blood”. The child spent 5 days in the hospital and another 6 months in therapy. His foot is said to be permanently deformed from the dog.

What began as a child going over to a friends to “play guns” with toys quickly ended in a horrific experience. While this is an extreme example, it does show how quickly things can go wrong when dealing with the police.

Even if you believe the police are wrong for stopping and questioning you, the safest thing for you to do is obey their orders and let your defense attorney help you sort it out later. Otherwise, you could end up facing additional criminal charges and the risk of injury.

A misunderstanding with police can even lead to criminal charges where none are warranted and I have met many clients who believe this was the case with their own situation.

Whether you are charged with disorderly conduct or resisting arrest, you need an assertive defense lawyer on your side to ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today for a consultation and some helpful advice.

We are the most incarcerated country in the world and changes to this need to occur at every level: local, state, and federal. The fact that Governor Daniels recognizes this is a step in the right direction.

The research will be done in conjunction with the Pew Center on the States and the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center. They will look at current sentencing laws, recidivism rates, and incarceration. Costs will be analyzed to see how the state can balance public safety with spending.

The director for the Pew Center states that Indiana spends about $700 million annually on prisons. Short sentences unnecessarily increase this spending as we shuffle people through the system for terms under a single year. While the average sentence is said to be about 19 years, many short term stints dramatically increase spending.

Many states are coming down off the “tough on crime” “lock ‘em up and throw away the keys” theories that boomed in the late nineties. Now, states are realizing the impact of these philosophies and understanding that community corrections are as if not more effective than incarceration in the long run.

This sentencing law review may lead to new, rehabilitation focused laws in the future–laws less apt to dole out lengthy sentences for minor charges.

There are many criminal offenses you are almost certain to get probation for, especially if this is your first offense. Marijuana crimes and drug possession charges often lead to probation, as does low level thefts and disorderly conduct charges.

Community corrections/probation serves both the person who is in trouble with the law and the community. Not only is a punishment meted out, the public sees community service hours served along with taxpayer savings by avoiding incarceration.

If you’re facing criminal charges, probation or a similar community served penalty can seem like a godsend. Your chances of serving probation instead of jail or prison time might be better than you think. Contacting a defense attorney to discuss the charges against your is the first step in determining if you may be a good candidate for probation.

Whether you are facing charges of marijuana possession or disorderly conduct, Contact us to speak with one of our attorneys as part of a free consultation on your Indiana criminal case.

Under Indiana law, there are several theft offenses. Shoplifting, conversion, theft by receiving, auto theft, and basic theft are all considered separate offenses. In addition to these—worthless checks, identity theft, and even some fraud charges are considered a form of theft.

All one has to do is look through the local news to see that theft is not only committed by lifetime criminals.  Just this past week, in two very different stories, 3 Indiana people are facing theft charges.

According to Fox 59, a Cumberland couple is accused of stealing more than $800 worth of goods in a local Meijer. They used their shopping cart and diaper bag to conceal the items. The couple had their 3 year old and 10 month old sons with them at the time of the alleged shoplifting offense.

In another case, this one out of Marion, an attorney is accused of stealing money meant for his clients. The money was allegedly a result of civil cases according to Wane.com. The attorney is said to have told his clients that their cases did not settle, signing the settlement checks himself and spending the money in the meantime.

The attorney faces 3 counts of felony forgery and 3 counts of felony theft. Because he signed the checks (forgery) and then used the money for his own benefit (theft), he can face two charges on each check in question. Altogether, he stands to spend years in prison and will likely lose his license to practice law if convicted.

These cases are just two examples of how it “takes all kinds” to commit a theft. There’s not a “typical” thief and often the people you least expect get caught up in offenses like this.

Perhaps you are facing theft charges of some kind. If so, you need a skilled defense attorney representing your best interests in court. Contact our attorneys today to discuss the details of your case and to get some helpful legal advice at a critical time.

An Edinburgh man is facing 8 felony charges for calling in a fraudulent prescription for Loritabs and Xanax this past week and he is only one in a slew of recent reports.

Even seemingly legitimate prescriptions can lead to horrible accidents, as this case that killed Southern Indiana teen shows. The at-fault driver in the accident admitted to taking two prescription drugs before getting behind the wheel, drugs that may have caused him drowsiness.

So what’s being done? On a national level, the White House is said to have made some fairly promising goals in regards to prescription drug abuse. According to the Journal & Courier Online, within 5 years they hope to reduce the rate of drug use by youth by 15%, decrease drug use by young adults by 10%, reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15%, and reduce drugged driving by 10%.

They state an important part of these reductions will be addressing the prescription drug trade.

Prescription drug problems often start as a legitimate need, after surgery or for treatment of a condition. Many of them are highly addictive, however, and eventually lead to the user going to extremes to get their prescriptions filled.

Also, prescriptions offer an easy high with little perceived risk, They are often seen as less dangerous than street drugs, making people feel more comfortable about taking them.

Unfortunately, if you are caught driving while under the influence of a prescription to the point that it hinders your judgment, you can be charged with OWI. You can also be charged with a drug offense if you are found in possession of a controlled substance that is not prescribed to you.

If you are facing charges regarding prescription drugs, contact our offices today for a free consultation on your case and to discuss the options available to you.

Dismissed criminal cases and increased costs to taxpayers are two of the reasons for the recently announced review. Although there are no details on why several OWI cases have been dismissed, there is indication that the lab is directly responsible.

Blood tests from OWI arrests are typically sent to the state toxicology lab, though some are opting to use outside labs. According to this article, the lab receives about $2.4 million per year in exchange for providing lab results to law enforcement around the state for no added cost. However, when the police elect to go elsewhere with their blood tests, taxpayers foot an additional bill.

Among the potential problems are a lack of evaluation of lab employees, lack of equipment testing, and no oversight on the lab. It is highly unusual for a state University to run the crime lab and this may be part of the problem with no oversight.

The review, now taking place, will address the recent complaints and look in to possible solutions.

Evidence sent to a toxicology lab is very important. Anytime there is physical evidence in the investigation of a criminal case, the integrity of that evidence must remain intact no matter where the evidence travels and who is handling it.

The use of clotted blood, improper record keeping, or poorly calibrated machinery all have the potential to nullify the validity of evidence. The integrity of this evidence is just one thing that a defense attorney should look at when evaluating your case.

If you are facing OWI charges or any other criminal charge and are questioning the evidence against you, contact our Indiana defense lawyers to  discuss your case.

The local number serves 13 counties in the area crossing the state line into Michigan as well. It is said to have been in use for 27 years now.

The calls are routed directly to law enforcement, who work hard to keep the callers anonymous. Their genders aren’t even written down as the officers don’t want to jeopardize the effectiveness of the anonymous program.

An additional incentive exists for those tipsters. A $1,000 reward can be offered for those tips that lead to an arrest. So, being a community-conscious person has its perks!

While Crime Stoppers around the country have assisted prosecutors in numerous cases, anonymous tips like this can also pose a problem. The Constitution guarantees a criminal defendant the right to confront their accuser. In other words, the prosecution must have a fairly good case in addition to the tip in order for the charges to stick. Because the tipster is anonymous, there is no way for the defendant to confront them.

Despite the modern stigma associated with “snitching” or “ratting” someone out, there are people within the community that bravely step forward to bring justice to situations where they think it is warranted. If your case goes to trial, a non-anonymous witness may come forward and testify against you. This testimony can be considered evidence in the case.

Your defense attorney can introduce witnesses as well, however, calling people who will testify to your good character or people who can provide eye witness accounts substantiating your version of events.

When you are facing charges, whether they involve an anonymous tip, an eye witness, or something you were caught doing “red-handed”, speak to an attorney to discuss the details of your case.

As reported in the New York Times , what used to take a virtual laboratory of containers and processes can now be done in one pot. The simpler the process gets, the more people do it. However, this doesn’t mean the mobile meth labs are increasing meth in the state. Because the mobile labs create much smaller quantities, they are not the large operations as those commonly seen when meth was originally hitting the headlines.

Elkhart county is said to have a large problem, finding the toxic leftovers of these labs on the sides of the road after the snow melts. According to law enforcement, what’s left behind after the meth is made is a combination of dangerous chemicals and vapors.

Another interesting aspect of these one pot meth labs is that those making the meth aren’t your big time dealers. Now, because the process is easier and the quantities smaller, the meth made in these mobile units is largely being used by the people who make it.

Being caught in possession of methamphetamine is a serious problem. Even being caught with less than 3 grams can land you felony charges and up to 3 years in prison.

Being charged with manufacturing meth or even possessing the tools to manufacture meth can be a far more serious offense. Less than 3 grams in this instance is a Class B felony which carries up to 20 years in prison.

Indiana and other states in the heartland are serious about stopping the spread of meth. Having charges like this against you can seem like an uphill and potentially impossible battle. This isn’t always the case, however.

If you are facing meth charges and unsure of what to do, call for a criminal defense legal consultation today.