When police stop someone on the street, many people assume officers can search them automatically. This is not true. Indiana law places strict limits on when police may conduct a frisk. Knowing when a pat-down is lawful can help you recognize when it violates your...
A simple smartphone can now record entire interactions in seconds. This includes interactions with police officers during traffic stops, investigations or other encounters. Learning what the law says about recording police in Indiana can protect your rights and keep...
Your home is the one place where you control who enters and who stays out. But what happens if the police come knocking unexpectedly? This kind of situation can feel intimidating leading to panic and forgetting crucial rights. Knowing your rights and how to respond to...
Imagine getting pulled over for a broken taillight in Evansville, Indiana, and end up facing drug charges because a dog alerted on your car. Police treat drug dog alerts like they are foolproof, but these dogs are not perfect. Sometimes, even the search itself breaks...
You might see flashing lights fly past you on the Lloyd Expressway and wonder whether police can chase anyone who refuses to pull over. The answer is they cannot. Indiana sets statewide standards that limit when officers can start and continue a vehicle pursuit, and...
The flashing lights appear in your rearview mirror, and your heart sinks. After the officer asks you to step out of the vehicle, you confront a critical decision: should you take the blood or breath test? This choice carries serious consequences that affect your...
A traffic stop can escalate quickly. An officer pulls you over for a routine reason, then says they smell marijuana coming from your car. You may then question whether odor alone gives police probable cause to search your vehicle without a warrant in Indiana. How odor...
A criminal record can hurt your employment and housing options long after your case ends. While Indiana has allowed people to clear these records for over a decade, recent changes make the process faster for some. If you have a dismissed case, relief might arrive...
You might think operating while intoxicated (OWI) laws do not apply to bicycles. However, in Indiana, riding a bicycle while impaired can lead to legal consequences. Knowing how the law might treat bicycle-related OWIs and what penalties could apply can help you make...
Under the Fourth Amendment, police officers can only search a car if they have probable cause. Unfortunately, some officers may misuse their authority to search your vehicle unreasonably. To help you protect your rights during a traffic stop, consider learning the...