Blog

Every state has different levels of criminal charges. If you’re wondering “what misdemeanor means”, in Indiana this refers to the fact that the offense was a minor infraction, typically involving a crime against property, the public, or persons with little to no injury resulting. After being arrested, you’re placed in a holding cell to wait for arraignment before a judge. At that time, the judge will set the bail amount for misdemeanor charges you’re facing. 

What crimes are misdemeanors?

Anytime a person is arrested for any type of charge, even a misdemeanor, your first reaction should be hiring an attorney. Even with what would be classified as a misdemeanor, if you don’t know the law, you could find yourself facing serious consequences with long-lasting damages. The most common misdemeanor in Indiana is driving while intoxicated. 

An attorney can navigate the process of misdemeanor charges from getting a fair bail amount for misdemeanor charges to lessening the sentencing. In the State of Indiana, the most serious misdemeanor charges are Class A and can include the following: 

• Carrying a handgun without a CHL.
• Dealing marijuana or possession of marijuana.
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
• Prostitution.
• Resisting arrest.
• Theft.

In the State of Indiana, the second-lowest crimes are Class B misdemeanors, such as the following: 

• Battery
• Criminal mischief, recklessness
• Disorderly conduct
• Harassment
• Hazing
• Marijuana possession
• Public Intoxicated
• Prurience

Can you get bail for a misdemeanor?

Yes, in most cases. The bail amount for misdemeanors will vary based on the judge’s discretion and the bail schedule they are required to follow. In Indiana, after a defendant has been processed and placed behind bars, the bail amount can be posted through the clerk’s office, usually without a hearing. 

If a defendant isn’t able to post the bail in cash at that time, they can contact a family member or friend to post bail to pay for the bail amount for a misdemeanor. They can also hire an attorney to represent them that will post the bail amount for misdemeanor charges. 

The bond is typically 10% of the bail amount for misdemeanor charges with some exceptions based on the judge’s decision. Things that can affect this would be the situation surrounding the arrest, the defendant’s previous criminal history, and results of the misdemeanor action to persons and property around at the time of the arrest. 

There are several ways that bond can be posted for the bail amount for misdemeanor charges: 

Defendant’s Own Recognizance – The defendant is required to sign a contract stating they agree to return to the court as required. There is no bail or security needed. This type of bail is typically for any non-violent misdemeanor crime. 

Cash Bonds – If the defendant has enough cash on hand at the time of their arrest, they can pay the bail amount for the misdemeanor charge in full or have a cosigner pay the full amount. With a cash bond, there is no bail bond agent involved. 

Surety Bonds – When the defendant doesn’t have enough cash to pay the bail amount for misdemeanor in full, they can get a bail bond agent to post the bond on their behalf. This is usually done with a family member or friend that will work with a bail bond agent, paying a minimum of 10% of the bail amount for misdemeanor charges to the agent. That 10% premium paid is non-refundable.

The XC Bond – This is a combination of cash and surety bonds for bail amount for misdemeanor, and is available if the court agrees to accept the split, part cash and balance in a bail bond. 

The XR Bond – A hybrid bond consists of a Personal Recognizance bond and a Surety Bond. If the court agrees, the bail amount for misdemeanor will be split between posting part cash bond, Personal Recognizance bond, and part Surety bond. Posting bond of this type will involve a family member or friend along with a bail bond agent. 

The PR Bond – Many states use a Personal Recognizance bond, but this option is a little different in the State of Indiana. A bail bond agent cannot post the bail amount for misdemeanor for this type of bond. This is because the court believes when a family member or friend is involved in posting the 10% bail amount for misdemeanor, the defendant is more likely to follow through. 

Property Bonds – This is typically not a bail amount for misdemeanor, but for charges involving a high bail amount, such as bail for a felony. In addition to a cosigner, a lien is placed on property like a car or home and is recorded in the county of the property. This type of bail bond involves a lot of paperwork and is time consuming as ownership has to be verified. 

What is the usual sentence for a misdemeanor?

A judge ruling over a misdemeanor case is required to stay within a set bail schedule that can include any of the following: 

• Class A Misdemeanor

The most serious misdemeanor; an individual can be sentenced to up to 12 months in jail and have a maximum fine of $5,000. 

• Class B Misdemeanor

This misdemeanor charge can lead an individual to face a sentencing of a maximum of 180 days in jail with a maximum fine of $1,000. 

• Class C Misdemeanor

The maximum punishment for sentencing with these misdemeanors is 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. 

Can you go to jail for misdemeanor theft?

A shoplifting or theft arrest is typically considered a Class A misdemeanor. The sentencing can range in a penalty of up to a year in jail with a maximum fine of $5000.

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a misdemeanor?

Yes – without knowledge of the law, a person without a criminal defense attorney can find themselves sentenced to the maximum allowed by the law. An attorney can navigate the system, have the charges reduced, and follow through in requesting the minimum sentencing possible.

What does warrant served mean?

This happens when an arresting entity, like a bail bondsman, bounty hunter, or a law enforcement officer will confirm the identity of the person, place them under arrest them and take them to jail.

Once that person has been served, the Arresting Entity will generate a “Warrant Served” message to the proper authorities and Law Enforcement where the warrant was issued. The date, time, and location of the warrant serviced and the name of the arresting entity.

How long does it take to serve a warrant?

In regards how long is a warrant valid that warrant services can serve a warrant, for a misdemeanor warrant, the warrant will expire in 6 months.  For a felony warrant, there is no expiration. If there is a statuary limit for the crime or offense connected to the warrant, it will expire in 5 years.

How do I know if I have a warrant for free?

There are a few ways to find out if you have a warrant issued in your name:

• Call the court in the area where you ticketed or placed under arrest originally and jailed.
• Use the internet for online methods:
• Indiana State Records
• Indiana Warrant Director
• Indiana’s Most Wanted
• The  county sheriff’s website
• One website you can search is www.mycase.in.gov 

Another way you can find out if there is a warrant issued in your name is to contact a bail bond agency. Some may do this at no charge, but you should be prepared to pay a fee.  Inquire if there is any charge and what the amount would be.

Can you pay off a warrant without going to jail?

To avoid jail time after a warrant service has been issued in your name is to hire a defense attorney. After reviewing your case, they can file a motion with the court requesting the warrant be recalled. If the attorney’s request for a warrant recall is denied, the attorney can file a motion for a bond review and warrant surrender.

What happens if you have a warrant in another state?

If warrant services has a warrant in your name, even from another state, it doesn’t go away simply because you relocated. You should ascertain the services of a defense attorney and get the matter handled as soon as possible.

Every warrant that is issued is logged into a searchable database that is maintained by the FBI. Once an arrest warrant is in there, every law enforcement agency has access if their department has the technology, which most do now. Many will scan license plates as they drive through neighborhoods.

What is warrant capias service?

When a judgement and sentencing has been handed down by a judge after a hearing, and the subject doesn’t complete and follow through with the punishment, a capias warrant service is issued.

A capias warrant service can be issued when the subject has failed to pay a fine, has missed payments on an agreement the court, complete their required punishment, like alcohol treatment, community service, etc. A capias warrant service  can be issued by a court clerk, county clerk, or district clerk.

In either case, when you become aware of having any type of warrant service in your name, it is recommended to contact a defense attorney immediately.  If you already have an attorney in place, you should contact them immediately. Missing any payment to your attorney or the bail bond agent could result in an arrest warrant too. Call 317-423-9300 today for your arrest warrant bond in Indianapolis, IN.

What is bail definition in Indiana?

The State of Indiana does have a state bail, which is defined in several ways, but the end results being the bail will allow that person to be released from custody once they have paid that set bail amount. The objective of state bail funds being paid is to assure the state that the arrested person will return for all court ordered appearances. 

A person arrested in Indiana can be held behind bars for up to fifteen days before a bond is set. The bail process begins once a judge has set the bail amount and informed the defendant. The defendant can contact a bail bonds agent to post the bail, contracting between the state and bail  bond agent to appear before the court as ordered once they are released.  There is usually a 10% payment required to the bail bond agent for this service. 

Contacting the bail bond agent can also be done by a family or friend of the defendant with the same agreement to pay the state bail for the defendant to be released. However, the family member or friend are co-signing this agreement and will be responsible for that person appearing at all court dates.    

What are free state bail bonds? 

From June 2016 through October 2017, eleven counties in the state of Indiana launched a program that was considered a progressive for pretrial release. It was using a different methodology for persons that had been arrested and awaiting trial behind bars. 

Under this pilot program, instead of a judge setting local or state bail for anyone arrested, they used a risk assessment and determined if a defendant should be released with an agreement they would appear for any court dates without posting bail. 

The outcome intentions was to accomplish several different things, among them were the following: 

• Reduce jail overcrowding
• Save taxpayers money
• Help the local economy
• Be more humane and rational with low-risk offenders
• More rational for defendants that were low-income, below the state poverty level

Was it worthwhile? There are arguments to both sides, some saying it was a risk by setting free what could be dangerous criminals. Bail bond agents that provide state bail felt it may be helpful for minor offenders but could cost the taxpayers of Indiana more in the long run.

Because there wasn’t any actual data recorded before this program was started, there isn’t any way to measure the success or failure. Some counties within Indiana said they had a decrease in failure-to-appear charges, other counties didn’t have any data to support that same finding. 

Can a person on bail leave the state?

Along with other factors and if a defendant is out on Federal bail or state bail will determine the ability to leave the state of Indiana. Any person out on state bail will need to adhere to restrictions put in place by the judge and the bail bond agent.  No matter what type of bail a person is released, local, Federal, or state bail, leaving the country is never allowed. 

Travel out of the city is acceptable, but any one on state bail will be in violation if they were to leave the state of Indiana without permission by their bail bond agent. Every case is different, and there are complexities within the law that make it more difficult to know what I and isn’t allowed.  This is why having a criminal defense attorney is always recommended. 

Which state has no bail?

There are eight states in the country that have abolished state bail between 2008 and 2012 as a method to be released from jail until the defendant’s court date. Those eight states are: 

• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• Oregon
• Washington D.C.
• Wisconsin
  

• California has a bail schedule system where the state court judges refer to this bail schedule, the defendant’s criminal history, and concerns of community danger. The elimination of cash bail in its whole being was lost in the November 2020 election.  
• Texas, the law reads, “the ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken upon this point.” Some courts however, have set up a fixed schedule to determine bail with no consideration of the ability for the defendant to pay according to the scheduled amount.
• Tennessee has a bail system for  all offenses with capital crimes possible for denied bail. 

State Bail Jumping is when a defendant does not appear at court dates after being released on bail. This is also called Failure to Appear.  It is the state attorney hat determine if the act intentionally without a legal reason. Call 317-423-9300 today for your bail bonds needs in Indianapolis, IN.

Class D Felony: punishment 6 months to 36 months in prison plus a $10,000 fine. 

• Less than 3 grams Cocaine, Methamphetamine 
• Less than 3 games within thousand feet of school property with Ecstasy, Heroin, LSD, or other Schedule I Drugs punishment 
• Over 30 grams marijuana

Class C Felony: punishment 2 years to 8 in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

• Over 3 grams Cocaine, Methamphetamine

Class B Felony: punishment 6 years to 20 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

• Less than 3 grams Cocaine, Methamphetamine

Class A Felony: punishment 20 years to 50 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.

• Over 3 grams Cocaine, Methamphetamine with school zone enhancement 

Class A Misdemeanor: punishment Up to 12 months in county jail with a $5,000 fine.

• Less than 30 grams Marijuana

Is drug possession a felony or misdemeanor?

It can depend according to Indiana State Code § 35-48-4-7. The definition of controlled substance according to this State Code is a drug, a substance, or the immediate precursor as listed in any of the stated 5 categories or on a one of the scheduled drugs. A person found in the possession of the listed controlled substance and doesn’t have a valid prescription can face a Class A misdemeanor drug charge or a Level 6 felony drug charge.  

Considerations that can raise the level of the drug charge offense include the quantity of the drug, paraphernalia, or any of the precursors of a person in possession, and whether that person possess a firearm; additionally if the drug charge offense is within a thousand feet of a school or park.

The various types of a controlled substance drug charge possession can apply to all possession drug charge offenses in one of these two categories:

• Simple possession.
• Possession with intent of distributing.

The amount of the drug and what type of drug are what define these differences. A higher quantity of certain drugs can tip the scale to the higher drug charge possession with intent of distributing. 

How many years can you go to jail for drug possession?

Drug charge offenses in the State of Indiana can vary between a Class B misdemeanor with a penalty maxed at 180 days jail time with a $1,000 fine up  to a Level II felony and a penalty maxed at 30 years in prison with a $10,000 fine.

What drugs are misdemeanors?

In Indiana, you can face a Class A Misdemeanor Drug Charge for dealing, knowing of or intentionally manufacturing, delivering, financing, or possession with intention to any of the same acts in any of the following: 

• Hash oil
• Hashish
• Marijuana
• Salvia
• Synthetic cannabinoid

Can misdemeanor drug charges be dropped?

With lawyer representation, having a misdemeanor drug charge dropped is possible in some instances.   There are options for a client not to have their case taken to trial or follow through with the trial with a possible dismissal of the drug charge. With no prior criminal record, a judge may offer a pre-trial diversion or conditional discharge of the drug charge. 

These are two distinct processes with a similar result. With a pre-trial diversion, it  is an agreement between the defendant and the state where prosecution will be withheld after certain requirements are completed. Those certain requirements are typically fees and substance abuse classes. 

A conditional discharge is another type of agreement between the defendant and the court where a guilty plea is entered but judgement is withheld. Again, certain requirements must be met like a probation period and substance abuse classes. 

A surety bail bond is a three-party contract with a promise by a person to bay a debt liability, a default, or failure of another person. 

How does a surety bail bond work?

When you have a love one or a friend in jail, helping them be released is the next step after making sure they are okay. However, most of us do not have the amount of cash it take to post bail, so obtaining a bond is the next step. 

A surety bail bond can be obtained from a licensed bond agent or company for 10% of the bail amount.  Once the premium of 10% is paid  upfront, which is non-refundable, the bail bond agent will cover the remaining about of the bail and the defendant is release. 

While the key advantage and point of a surety bail bond is the defendant being released quicker, there is risk involved for the person obtaining the surety bail bond for them. The number one risk is the defendant leaving town and skipping out on bail. If the defendant doesn’t appear in court as ordered by the judge, the cosigner is responsible for paying the bail bond agent or company back for that full bail amount. 

Are surety bonds refundable?

Generally when a surety bail bone is purchased, it is deemed “fully earned” for the first term, which is typically one year. What that means is that a surety bail bond purchased, you cannot get a refund for the first year after it was purchased. Certain situations make an exception t this policy: 

• If be surety bail bond wasn’t submitted to the court and the original bond is returned to the surety company. 
• If the surety bail bond is cancelled mid-term.
• If the surety bail bond is cancelled after the first term and a renewal term has been obtained. 

The amount of money refunded under those situations is based on the amount that was paid, aka the bond premium.  The surety bail bond company will work from a predetermined schedule for the amount that will be refunded. 

Do you pay surety bonds monthly?

A surety bail bond is quoted as a onetime purchase term, there is no payment plan offered. The terms can be set at one year, two year, or three years. 

Do you get your money back on a surety bond?

When you enlist the services of a bail bond agent for a surety bail bond to have a family member or friend released from jail, you will pay only a percentage of the bail set by the judge. This amount is non-refundable to the bail bond agent, and as long as the defendant appears for all court appointed dates, the full bail will not need to be paid. The fee the bail bond agent charges is not refundable in any case.

How do you cancel a surety bond?

The provision for every type of bond are different, such as bid bonds or performance and payment bonds. The first, a bid bond, is closed when the bid is closed.  However, a performance or payment bond, a surety bail bond, required for getting a person released from jail, can only be cancelled by a legal affidavit signed by a judge. 

Another means of surety bail bond cancellation is the person who obtained the bond to cancel.  If it is suspected that the defendant isn’t going to follow the rules set forth and comply with the surety bail bond conditions, the person that obtained the bond can cancel  said bond. The person that desires to cancel the bond will need to contact the surety bail bond agent or company for instructions.  

What is the difference between a surety bond and a bail bond?

A bail bonds involves only the defendant and the presiding court where the defendant is being held. A surety bail bonds is a process that involves three parties which includes the court, the defendant and the surety bail bond agent. Call 317-423-9300 today for surety bond in Indianapolis, IN.

After a natural disaster, legal aid services are critical for comprehensive disaster relief.  Legal aid services sent attorneys out to the areas needing legal assistance to provide legal assistance pro bono. They also are prepared to direct the survivors to any assistance they need other than legal representation such as emergency bail, like clothing, food, housing, transportation and more.  

If my bond is 1000 what is bail?

After an arrest, the suspect will be arraigned by a judge where the bail will be set. Each state has its own bail system, but most minor misdemeanors are $500. However, the judge can make that lower or higher using the following factors to make the determination: 

• The Evidence:  The amount of evidence against the suspect is present, the judge will use that as a basis to determine if they are guilty of the accused crime and if there is a chance they will be sentenced. If the judge feels the evidence shows they are guilty, the bail will typically be higher. 
• Criminal Background: If the suspect has a previous criminal history, the judge will set a higher bail to encourage the accused not to repeat the suspected crime as a way of protecting the community.
• Public Risk: For any level of the law, judges included because they are held to uphold the justice system, the public’s safety is always a consideration. The judge will consider what risk the suspect may be or not be to the public when setting bail. A repeat offender or a person with background of violent behavior are considered to be a public risk, thus the judge will set a high bail. 
• Flight Risk: If a judge feels that a suspect could possibly leave the state or country, they are considered to be a flight risk and could possibly “disappear” before their trial.  In this case, the judge will set a high bail amount.
• Offense Severity: The more severe the crime that the accused was arrested for, the higher the bail. Any fines that will be required, or if the accused is facing possible time in jail could cause the judge to set a higher bail.

When a person is arrested, the first thing that comes to mind is “I need to get out of here!”, and in most cases, that requires posting bond, which at that time to them is an emergency bail.  That can’t be done until the person has been arraigned and the judge set bail. Unfortunately, most people do not have an emergency bail fund waiting for somebody to be arrested.

For those people, an emergency cash bail out is possible with the service of a bail bondsman. For a family member, friend, or anyone that the arrested person has contacted, they can apply for one of the emergency loans for bail and the bail bondsman will go to the jail and post the bond. 

There is a small down payment required, usually 10% of the bail amount that must be paid by the person requesting the emergency bailout. The person signing for the bail will be the first person the bail bondman will contact should the arrested person not appear in court as ordered by the judge. It is important that the arrested and the person(s) that helped them post bail realize that the bail is not a fine for the crime they are accused.  Bail is not a punishment, but a legal tool to endure the defendant appear for all future court dates including any pretrial hearing and the trial itself. For emergency bail assistance in Indianapolis, IN, call 317-423-9300 today.

What are the two types of probation violation?

When you are put on probation by the courts, you’ll be subject to terms that you must not violate in order to uphold your probation. A probation violation occurs when these terms are not upheld. Two types of probation violations exist:

• Substantive: A substantive violation means you’ve committed a criminal offense that is separate from the offense for which you received probation. If, for instance, you are on probation for a drug offense but commit an armed robbery while on probation, this offense is considered a substantive violation.
• Technical: Technical violations occur when you break the actual terms or conditions of probation. If one of the terms of your probation is to hold down a job and you fail to get a job or lose that job, you’ve committed a technical violation.

Is probation violation a felony?

A probation violation can either be a felony or misdemeanor offense. This will depend on the original charges. If your original charges were for a felony offense, then you will be guilty of a felony probation violation. The same is true for a misdemeanor offense.

Can a probation violation be dismissed?

Technically, a probation violation isn’t an additional crime, so it cannot be dismissed as if it were a criminal case. If you’ve been arrested for violating your probation, you’ll have to appear at a hearing to determine whether or not you actually violated the terms of your probation based on the preponderance of evidence brought up by prosecutors. Should enough evidence be presented that determines you did, indeed, violate your probation, the judge will then revoke your probation and decide what to do from there. This decision could range from an extended probationary period to jail or prison time to fulfill your sentence. If there’s not enough evidence to show you were in violation of probationary terms, the case against you will be dropped and you will resume your probation under the same terms as before until it is completed. The case technically isn’t dismissed because the criminal charges against you aren’t dismissed.

Do probation violation warrants expire?

A warrant on a probation violation can be indefinite. The only way the warrant can expire is if a probation officer, judge, or some other court officer revokes the warrant. Otherwise, you can be arrested at any time on the warrant.

How can I avoid jail time for a probation violation?

One of the most difficult things to do when it comes to a probation violation is avoiding jail time. It’s not impossible. It is, however, going to take a lot of work. You’re going to have to try to fix any violations of terms that you can, if possible. For instance, if you have to do community service and haven’t completed the time, you can do the full amount of community service to get credit for it. Some violations like coming up positive on a drug test can’t be fixed quite as easily. You’ll have to take action and change behaviors, such as passing multiple drug tests and enrolling in drug rehab and other support groups.

If you continue to associate with old friends who also happen to be criminally active, you’re going to have to find new friends. In fact, you want to build relationships with respected community members and mentors such as pastors or small business owners you work for or who know you and will vouch for you in court. You’re also going to have to prove you are a valuable person to your community, which means you’ll have to do things like getting a job, taking care of your children, and volunteering. Trying to fix issues like this won’t guarantee you’ll stay out of jail, but are the types of actions you’ll have to take to try to do so.

Does probation violation go on your record?

A probation violation will go on your record. Moreover, that violation will make it more difficult to get records expunged later on, which can affect your life in negative ways from gaining employment to getting loans.

What can you not do on probation?

When you are put on probation you’re going to receive certain terms and conditions that you must meet to fulfill your sentence. Some terms will outline actions you need to take like performing a certain amount of community service hours or attending drug or alcohol rehab. Others will be restrictions on your actions that can vary from not having contact with certain people to not traveling out of state to not using illegal drugs or using alcohol in excess. Restrictions will be determined by the courts and will vary by case.

• with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of .08% or higher
• with a controlled substance in any amount of a schedule I or II 
• while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs

The is an extensive list of which controlled substances fall under the schedule I and II classifications. Among those substances are cocaine, hallucinogenic drugs, marijuana, methamphetamine, or opiates. For underage drivers operating a vehicle with .02% or higher BAC, the state law in Indiana is “zero tolerance”.

So, can one beer get you’re a DUI charge?  In Indiana, a drunk driving charge is based on blood alcohol level and not the impairment of the driver. This means, that each person’s BAC is different because there are several factors involved. In addition to how much alcohol was consumed by the driver, their body size, gender, amount of alcohol and what type of alcohol can all factor into a DUI charge. 

You can find a BAC calculator and a BAC table on the state’s website, but keep in mind that the information is only approximations and the factors we just mentioned are not considered into these tables. The best advice for anyone to avoid a DUI charge is don’t drink and drive 

How long do you go to jail for DUI

When it comes to drug or drunk driving in Indiana, there are different categories, each having their own level of punishment:

• Class C misdemeanor– This is the standard charge for a BAC of .08 percent to .15 percent, or if the officer believes the person is too intoxicated to drive. Sentence is up to 60 days in jail.
• Class A misdemeanor – With a BAC over .15 percent, or evidence shows others are at risk by the driver’s actions, a longer jail sentence up to one year in jail is possible. 
• Level 6 felony– A felony DUI charge happens when there is a minor in the vehicle, a dui with injury resulted, or a previous conviction for OWI within the last 5 years can result in a minimum of six and up to 30 months in prison sentence.
• Level 5 felony – If anyone is injured while the driver of a vehicle is under drugs or drinking, sentencing of one year minimum and up to six years in prison is on the table. A prior conviction in the past 5 years will affect the length of prison time.
• Level 4 felony– A sentence of two years minimum and up to 12 years in prison are possible, the longest sentences possible in Indian for anyone that caused a death while driving drunk with a suspended license, a high BAC, or any prior conviction in the last ten years.
•  

The severity of mandatory minimum jail and prison sentencing doesn’t come into effect until drunk driving is a felony level. A criminal defense attorney can often plead their client’s case so that jail is avoided, but community service and probation may be issued by the judge. Fines and restitution are also handed down to the accused with a dui charge. 

Does a DUI mean you are an alcoholic?

Having a DUI charge does not determine a person to be an alcoholic. A dui charge can happen to a person the first time they have ever drove after drinking because one traffic law error and their BAC was above the legal limit. While learning moderation before getting behind the wheel is a good idea, the better idea is not to drink and drive at all. Call a Lyft, taxi, or Uber if you don’t have a designated driver. 

Which is worse a DUI or a DWI?        

In Indiana, a DUI charge is more specific to alcohol while a DWI, referred to as OWI, is an umbrella that covers the intoxication of alcohol, drug,  prescription drugs, marijuana, narcotics, or pills, etc. The “D” is the active of driving, and the” O” is for operating. This gives law enforcement the ability to apprehend or stop a person doing things that aren’t considered driving. This can be sitting in a parked car with the engine running. An OWI does not pertain only to driving a vehicle, it also encapsules a bicycle, boat, or even a tractor or tricycle, if the person stopped under the influence while operating a mode of transportation. 

Another way your life will be affected after receiving an OWI is your personal life. Your family will be financially strained by posting bail and loss of work on your part. If you are able to keep your job, some employers frown on DUI charges, concern if with a DUI can I still drive to work may not be an issue. Your standing in the community will be negatively impacted as well. Need help with DUI bail in Indianapolis, IN? Call 317-423-9300 today!

What does unlawfully carry a weapon mean?

While Indiana’s gun laws are fairly permissive, you still have restrictions imposed. Handguns and weapons like Tasers, for instance, require a license to carry them in public. It is unlawful to carry these weapons without a license, and under certain circumstances, as on school property, you aren’t permitted to carry a weapon even with a license, unless you’ve been authorized to do so. It’s also unlawful to carry a firearm if you’ve had a previous license or weapons violation or if you’ve been convicted of a violent felony offense. Handguns and Tasers aren’t the only weapons that have restrictions on them that make it unlawful to carry them in some instances. Some weapons like switchblades are illegal to possess or use no matter the circumstance.  

What is considered an illegal weapon?

In Indiana, some weapons as well as some types of ammunition are illegal to possess or use. These weapons include:

• Switchblades
• Angle-bladed throwing knives (throwing stars)
• Machine guns
• Armor-piercing ammunition

Are burst weapons legal?

State laws vary on restrictions of automatic weapons. When guns fire more than one bullet when the trigger is squeezed, that mode is considered burst fire. In Indiana, burst weapons like machine guns are illegal to possess or use. If you are caught in possession of a machine gun might be charged with a Level 5 or Level 4 felony weapons violation. 

Can a civilian buy a grenade?

In general, under the federal National Firearms Act a civilian cannot possess “destructive devices,” which includes military-style hand grenades. But, civilians might be able to own or even build for themselves non-military devices that might be considered grenades. This depends on how judges in a local federal court define the term “destructive device”.

Aggravated weapons violation

In most states, you’ve committed an aggravated weapons violation if you use a weapon or threaten to use a weapon to injure a person. Weapons could include anything from firearms or knives or clubs to other objects used to harm a person. The charges can vary from aggravated assault to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Depending on the severity of the attack, your charges could be felonies or misdemeanors. 

Indiana has specific laws that regulate brandishing a firearm. It is illegal to point a gun at a person. Exceptions include being a police officer or using the weapon to defend yourself in your home, for instance, when someone breaks in. If your firearm is loaded and you point it at someone you could face Level 6 felony charges. An unloaded firearm can lead to Class A misdemeanor charges. 

Concealed weapons violation

In its gun laws, Indiana does not differentiate whether a gun is openly displayed or concealed when it comes to weapons violations. The primary concern is whether or not a person has a license to carry the weapon. If they hold a license, as long as they aren’t in violation of other laws, they can carry the gun in the open or conceal it. Carrying an unlicensed firearm is generally a Class A misdemeanor.

Weapons violation probation

Under Indiana law, if you are on probation for a felony offense, as a standard term of probation you typically cannot possess a firearm of any kind. This is especially the case if you’ve committed a violent offense. 

If a person on probation lives with someone who possesses a firearm, they are in violation of the terms of probation as well. The probationer must inform the other person about the weapons violation, and the other person must get rid of the firearm. Otherwise, the probationer cannot stay in the home. 

What is a bench warrant?

A judge issues a bench warrant authorizing the arrest of a person accused of a crime or for failure to appear in court. It is called this because it is issued from the bench by the judge while in the court. 

Is there a difference between Bench warrant vs arrest warrant? Yes, an arrest warrant is issued when there is reason to believe a person has committed a crime after a proper investigation has been performed. This formal document is issued by a judge and given to law enforcement to arrest the person stated on the warrant. Unlike a bench warrant, the person named on the arrest warrant may or may not be advised.  

A bench warrant is typically issued by a judge sitting on the bench for any of the following:

• Failure to pay a previously determined fine.
• Failure to appear in court at a date and time determined previously. 
• Failure to appear in court after a personal order by an attorney and judge.
• Failure to appear in court to provide proof of enrollment, completion, or progress of community service; and
• Failure to appear in court as dictated on a citation issued by a police officer.

A judge will have set bail when they issue a bench warrant, meaning this amount must be paid when the defendant appears in court or post bail. Retaining a criminal defense law firm as soon as you are arrested is always recommended. 

How do you find out if you have an arrest warrant in Indianapolis?

A current arrest warrant or bench warrant information is available on the website https://mycase.in.gov, with exceptions of the courts indicating the warrant is confidential. A summary of the case is listed on this site of all criminal cases.  

Other ways to find out if a person has an arrest warrant or bench warrant is calling the judicial location where a warrant is suspected, like a city or county jail. An attorney or bail bondsman can make inquiries of arrest warrants on behalf of a person, usually for a fee.  Or anyone that wants to see if an arrest warrant or bench warrant has been issued for them can go to the closest jail and inquire. There is a chance of being arrested and taken into custody. 

How long do you get for failure to appear?

In the state of Indiana, missing a scheduled criminal court date is a serious matter resulting in an additional criminal offense charge for failure to appear. You can expect additional jail time and additional fines to be imposed that are separate from any original charges with a bench warrant issued for your arrest.

Any additional charges and fines imposed will depend on the original charge. If the original charge were a misdemeanor, the additional charge and fine won’t be as severe as they would be if the original were a felony charge. A battery charge would make the additional charge more severe than misdemeanor charges.

• Failure to Appear Misdemeanor
  • If your original charge were a misdemeanor, the failure to appear would be a Class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanor is subject to punishment up to twelve months behind bars plus a fine not exceed $5,000.
• Failure to Appear Felony
  • If the original charge was a felony, a failure to appear is a Class D felony. A Class D felony can be punished with six months to three years in prison with a fine not to exceed $10,000.

With a misdemeanor or felony failure to appear, the sooner you turn yourself in, the more room for bargaining you may have, especially with the services of a defense attorney. 

Does failure to appear to go on your record?

Yes, a failure to appear will result in a bench warrant for your arrest, making the failure to appear a criminal offense. As we stated earlier, depending on if the original charge were a felony or misdemeanor would determine what your punishment will be for the failure to appear.