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Shedding Light On Domestic Violence During October

Domestic violence is a situation that changes lives. It is a crime for the person committing the abuse and it can pose a mental health and physical risk for the victim. Domestic abuse occurs more often than most people would like to admit. It could involve a coworker, an acquaintance or a neighbor and it could be such a secret, that many people might never know it is happening. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov, domestic violence is reported by one of every seven men and one of every four women. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. It is set aside to bring attention to the emotional and physical impact that v ...

Legality of Road Blocks in Indiana and Kentucky

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes to society is over $132 billion. In an effort to deter people from driving under the influence (DUI), many law enforcement agencies use sobriety checkpoints. While reducing alcohol-related wrecks is a worthy goal, that goal cannot infringe on the rights of drivers. There are specific ways that road blocks must be conducted in order to be legal. Generally, they must be publicized in advance, officer discretion must be eliminated as much as possible, and chemical tests cannot be conducted unless the officer has probable cause to believe a driver has been drinking. Back in 1990, the Supreme Court rule ...

Current Gun Laws in Indiana and Kentucky

The meaning of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is an often litigated topic with a reputation for provoking heated discussions. In a 2008 decision, the Supreme Court interpreted it as granting the right of gun ownership to individuals for purposes that include self-defense. The parameters for legally obtaining those guns vary from state to state, with both Kentucky and Indiana laws being more lenient than those of many other states. In fact, an examination by the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence graded the gun laws of all 50 states based on 30 policies related to guns and ammunition, including procedures for lost or stolen firearms, background checks, and preventing ...

Did You Get a Traffic Ticket in Indiana?

Sometimes you see the police car lying in wait. Other times, the flashing lights behind you are a complete surprise. All drivers have had the experience of hoping that the cruiser will either stay where it is or pass on by in pursuit of someone else. Many of them also know what it feels like when that hope turns to dread as it becomes clear the officer wants them to pull over. When that happens, you may know exactly what traffic law you were breaking or you may have no idea whatsoever, but once you get a ticket, it’s time to focus on the consequences. Generally, Indiana traffic tickets are dealt with on a county level. In the small print, you’ll find that your choices are to go to court ...

What Happens When You Decide to Sue

Making the decision to sue someone is not something that should be undertaken lightly. We’ve all heard jokes about how litigious American society is, and while it’s true that a lot of lawsuits get filed, many are quite legitimate. Innocent people who get hurt because someone else behaved recklessly deserve to be compensated for their suffering. Parties who uphold their end of a contract should be able to enforce its terms. Couples who conclude that they are better off apart must have a way to dissolve their marriage. Although generalities can be discussed, it is important to note that every lawsuit is based on a unique set of circumstances, and the steps that lead to resolve one situat ...

Medicare vs. Medicaid

The federal government is a massive entity, the true size of which is up for debate. Depending on the source, the number of federal agencies has been reported to be as few as 60 and as many as 430. One agency whose existence is not in question is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which, among other responsibilities, oversees Medicare and works with state governments to manage Medicaid. These two similar-sounding public insurance programs are very different, but they have the same goal of providing medical and health-related services to certain groups of disadvantaged people. Medicaid delivers healthcare coverage to low-income families and individuals, including seniors, ...

Department of Child Services & Human Trafficking in Indiana

It can be difficult for Americans to admit that some of humanity’s biggest problems don’t just happen “somewhere else.” No state is immune from social ills like poverty, hunger, illiteracy, discrimination, and human trafficking. That’s right. This modern-day form of slavery involving the illegal trade of people for exploitation or commercial gain happens right here in Indiana. In fact, we have one of 42 task forces set up by the U.S. Justice Department to address the growing crime. It's called IPATH: the Indiana Protection of Abused and Trafficked Humans. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline, operated by Polaris Project since December 2007, has received calls, em ...

Custody Disputes and the Guardian ad Litem

When the custody of your child is in dispute to the point where the courts have become involved, you have, in a sense, relinquished certain decisions about your child’s future to the judge. It’s your job to convince the judge that your opinion is the correct one and is in your child’s best interests. If you have an attorney (and you should!), he or she will advocate for you and present your case – your arguments – to the judge. But the other parent of your child believes his or her opinion is the correct one, too, and that it is in your child’s best interests. And there’s most likely another attorney on that side presenting that case – and those arguments – to the judge. I ...

Primer on Transgender Legal Name and Gender Changes in Indiana

Transitioning from female to male (FTM) or male to female (MTF) is a lengthy process – one that is often marked more by struggle than by celebration. For people who are transgendered, being able to legally change their name and gender marker is a momentous milestone. Telling loved ones of your new name or proper pronouns is certainly a big step, but there comes a time when it’s important to transform them from mere preference to official terminology. The process varies from state to state, and not all judges are willing to grant it, so to save yourself from any problems in the future, it’s wise to consult an attorney. Much of the way we are distinguished throughout life is by name and ...

What Happens if You Die in Indiana Without a Will?

Everyone dies, but not everyone makes a will. While it’s understandable that some people are uncomfortable discussing their mortality, their reluctance to plan for it can force their families to fight through the courts in order to determine where their assets will go and how their debts will be paid. Unfortunately, not having a will is extremely common. According to a 2014 survey, more than 60 percent of Americans do not have one. And the No. 1 reason why not? “Just haven’t gotten around to making one.” Who should have a will? Just about everyone. Whether your estate is small and simple or large and complicated, planning ahead gives you some control over what happens to your belong ...

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