Any type of criminal conviction is a big deal, as it can alter your life in a number of ways. In addition to the penalties, such as jail time or community service, there's a chance that your criminal record will make it difficult to live your best life in the future.
For example, if you have a felony on your record and you want to be a teacher, you'll find that it's difficult, if not impossible, to follow this career path.
In response to a tragic accident near Rochester, Indiana last fall that resulted in the death of 3siblings, the Indiana Legislature recently passed tougher laws and penalties for drivers thatillegally pass or overtake school buses effective July 1, 2019.
In addition to receiving a ticket for an infraction, Hoosier drivers that violate the Stop-Arm lawscan now be charged with: a class A misdemeanor subject to up to one year in jail and a $5,000fine; a level 6 felony punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if their actionsresult in an injury; or, a level 5 felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fineif it causes a death.
As well as stiffer penalties for violations, school districts also have access to additional fundingto install stop-arm cameras to catch violators and law enforcement agencies will respond withsubstantial budgets for increased officer overtime pay this fall.
If you're arrested for a crime, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drug possession, you understand the potential consequences of your actions. Furthermore, you may have concerns about these consequences, as they have the potential to include jail time.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to put yourself in the best possible position for making a full recovery after your arrest. For example, the Indiana legislature created a pretrial diversion program that is more or less a pretrial probation period.
A charge of drunk driving can take a toll on your life, as you have many concerns about the impact of a conviction on your future. Fortunately, a DUI charge doesn't always result in a conviction.
There are steps you can take to protect your legal rights, with the idea of avoiding a conviction and the serious consequences associated with it.
People who are facing criminal charges tend to think about the criminal sentence. While time in prison, fines and similar penalties are a real concern, there are many others that you need to think about if you are in this position, especially if the charges are felonies.
When you are convicted of a felony, the branding of being a felon follows you around for life. The trouble with this is that it doesn't give a person a chance to redeem themselves, even if they successfully complete the criminal sentence and turn their life around. It also doesn't differentiate between violent crimes and non-violent crimes. Instead, there is just the umbrella term of being a felon.
If you have a volatile relationship with an intimate partner, a family member or even a neighbor or former friend, at some point you may be served with an order of protection— otherwise known as a restraining order. What you do after being served is crucial to the outcome of any pending litigation against you that's been filed or is pending.
Many people become enraged at the person who filed the order. While that reaction may be understandable, particularly if the individual lied to the court to obtain it, it's important to tamp down any thoughts of retaliation. This will only fan the flames of the dispute, land you in jail and essentially prove your adversary's case to the court. Below are some things to know about restraining orders.
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