The police interrogation chamber isn’t a two-way room. The police hold all the power. They hold you in place. They ask the questions. They can make the threats. And they can lie.
How police use lies and threats to get false confessions
How dangerous is snitch testimony?
No one wants to go to jail. Especially not for a crime they didn’t commit. And especially not when the conviction is based on a story made up by a convict hoping to buy himself some favors or leniency.
Would a proposed law improve the criminal justice system?
If you’ve seen anyone arrested on television or in the movies, you’ve probably heard an officer say, “You have the right to remain silent.” Shortly afterward, that officer will say, “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”
How does the discovery process affect a criminal case?
In the movies and television shows, it’s common to see courtroom dramas turn on the testimony of a surprise witness. Maybe it’s an eyewitness who can place the defendant at the scene of the crime. Maybe it’s a forensic accountant who can trace the stolen cryptocurrency. But either way, this isn’t how things happen in real life.
Does Indiana place limits on self-defense?
Normally, it’s a crime to shoot someone. You can’t just go around waving your gun and pulling the trigger. Similarly, the law tends to frown upon hitting and kicking. But there are cases in which your use of force may be justified, even when it involves a gun.
The problems with eyewitness testimony
One of the most surprising things you might hear after being charged for a crime you didn’t commit is that someone saw you do it. How could that be possible? If you were walking out of a store when someone else was robbing it, or if you were miles away, how could someone say they’d seen you?
Understanding your Miranda rights
Police shows on television have made most of us familiar with the phrase "You have the right to remain silent," but unless you have experience with the criminal justice system, you have probably not given much thought to what the phrase means.
State representative charged with drunk driving and other crimes
State lawmakers have an important role to play in Indiana's government, but occasionally, some legislators exaggerate their importance and forget that the law applies to them, too. The Democratic legislator who represents most of Indianapolis was recently arrested for alcohol-related crimes and for impersonating a police officer.
Indiana unintentional accidents crimes
Sometimes mistakes are made. Mistakes can be relatively minor and not harm anyone except perhaps, the person who made the mistake. However, mistakes may be made that lead to the death of another person. If a person causes the death of another person, but had no intention of doing so, can they be charged with a crime?
Penalties associated with drunk driving in Indiana
In Indiana and the rest of the country, the highest blood alcohol concentration level with which a driver can operate a vehicle is 0.08. Operating a vehicle with BAC above this level is an offense. In fact, during zero-tolerance drives and for underage drivers, the BAC limit is 0.02. Also, if a driver's BAC is found to be more than 0.15, that driver can expect to face enhanced penalties. In Indiana, the term used for drunk driving offenses is "operating while intoxicated," or OWI.
