Criminal Rights

A knock at your door from police can raise an important question: Can officers enter and search your home without your permission? The Fourth Amendment and Indiana Constitution protect people against unreasonable searches and seizures, but certain circumstances allow...

If an officer pats you down during a police stop, you may wonder whether the officer had the right to search you. A stop does not automatically give police the right to frisk you because a frisk requires separate justification. When can police perform a frisk? Police...

An arrest can leave you unsure about how long you may remain in custody, whether you can get an attorney and what happens next. If police arrest you without a warrant, they must take you promptly before a judge. This initial hearing is often your first court...

Entrapment is the process by which law enforcement agents convince an otherwise innocent person to commit a crime. These agents then turn around and arrest the person for the criminal activity. When that person’s case goes to court, they may use entrapment as a...

If you've ever watched a crime show, you are probably familiar with the phrase, "You have the right to remain silent…" What follows are known as Miranda rights. Outside of entertainment, few people really understand their purpose. Miranda Rights can protect you....

People subject to investigations and taken into state custody have certain rights. An individual's Miranda rights take effect during police questioning after an arrest.  Those who are in state custody have the right to remain silent during any post-arrest questioning...

It is important to understand that being accused of a crime does not strip someone of all rights. In the United States, legal protections exist to help ensure fairness and prevent abuse, even for those charged with wrongdoing.  These rights form the foundation of the...

People who have been arrested have certain rights under the law. Those rights usually include the right to remain silent when questioned by police officers and the right to speak with a lawyer regarding their charges. Oftentimes, people have to make phone calls to...

Facing a criminal charge means that you need to review each option that you have for resolving your case. In some instances, that might mean going through the criminal justice trial, but it may also mean working out a plea deal.  Plea deals in Indiana are used to...

When police arrest or question you in Indiana, it's easy to feel scared or pressured to talk. But saying the wrong thing before getting a lawyer can hurt your case later. Knowing your rights helps you protect yourself. What your rights mean When police take you into...