Blog
Four Indiana Criminal Bills to Keep an Eye on in 2023
Coming into 2023, Indiana criminal law did not have any notable changes. The average person will not have to worry about facing criminal charges in Indiana because of any new or altered laws. However, there are sponsored bills that have at least been introduced and...
Will I Be Convicted If I Didn’t Know I Was Breaking the Law?
“Officer, I thought I was going the speed limit.” Ignorance as a legal defense has been tried repeatedly since the dawn of law enforcement. People understandably make mistakes and, in many cases, do not understand or have awareness of the law they are accused of...
Questions to Ask Before Deciding to Represent Yourself in an Indiana Criminal Trial
We see it in the movies. We even see it in the courtroom at times – people accused of a criminal offense who decline their right to an attorney and try to defend themselves. Our goal here isn’t to tell you that NOBODY should ever try to do this, but, as attorneys who...
How Do I Get My Criminal Record Expunged in Indiana?
Having criminal charges or convictions on your record can be a detriment to several areas of your life. It can make finding a job, sustaining relationships, seeing your children, carrying firearms, and numerous other aspects of life far more difficult. Removing those...
Letting Your Anger Boil Over Could Cost You Your Future
In Indiana, we have seen an uptick in domestic battery cases at the beginning of 2023. These violent crimes in the home put people and families at risk, and your entire future could be on the line if you let it get that far. We will always advocate for our clients,...
Do Juries Truly Disregard Evidence When Asked to in Court?
Every court drama on tv sets the stage: one side of the case presents evidence or a witness on the stand makes a statement and the other side objects. The judge then quickly responds with “sustained” and asks the jury to disregard the evidence that was just presented...
Can I Get My Mugshot Removed From the Internet?
You turn on the news – there’s a mugshot. You open the newspaper – there’s a mugshot. You look at a local news or police organization on social media – there’s a mugshot. Because of the way our system works, mugshots are public and show up everywhere. The very first...
Is Character Testimony Allowed in Criminal Trials?
When you’re on trial in Indiana, it makes sense to use every resource possible to reinforce your case. After all, your future is on the line and everyone close to you knows you would never commit the crime(s) you’re being accused of. We frequently hear from clients...
No, the Police Do NOT Always Have to Read You Your Rights
You’ve heard it on every cop show or movie – “you have the right to remain silent” and so on. These are referred to as Miranda Rights and Hollywood has created a potentially insurmountable misunderstanding around how these work. We hear from clients all the time who...
PSA: Commercial Driver License (CDL) Violations Becoming Harder to Reduce or Dismiss
A trend in recent years is having a big impact on truck drivers across the U.S. – federal authorities are pushing courts that process CDL driving violations to uphold these tickets and charges. Truck drivers have historically had the opportunity to negotiate with the...
Back to School Legal Reminders
This time of year is hectic for Indiana families. From getting the right supplies to clothing shopping, adjusting schedules, and making sure our children are getting their schoolwork done on time – everything is happening fast. What’s important to remember is that...
Defining the Differences Between Theft, Robbery, and Burglary
One of the most important roles an attorney can play for their clients is to educate them on the law. An educated client is a client who is more capable of avoiding costly mistakes and maintaining the freedom they’re afforded in our country and the great state of...
Stay Safe on the Water and Know Indiana Boating While Intoxicated Laws
July is one of the most dangerous months on the water, and July 4th in particular poses some serious risks for boaters. It’s often the deadliest boating day of the year, and over 20% of deadly boating accident reports listed alcohol as a leading cause. That’s enough...
Indiana Alcohol and Drug Counseling Services Available to You
At Blankenship Law, we are Indiana criminal defense attorneys so we understand as much as anyone else that everyone makes mistakes, but you shouldn’t have to pay for those mistakes for the rest of your life. We are not defined by our mistakes unless we let those...
Understanding Indiana’s Permitless Handgun Law
We’ve written a few articles recently about Indiana gun laws, but the state is now one of 22 states across the U.S. that allow “permitless carry” for handguns. Governor Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1296 into law on March 21, 2022, with the law set to go into effect...
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