Indianapolis Law Blog

It is not uncommon for people in Indiana and throughout the country to own Bitcoin and other digital coins. However, owning them can create problems when a couple chooses to get a divorce. This is because it can be hard to determine the value of a coin as markets can fluctuate wildly in a short period of time. It can also be difficult to determine where digital currency is being held or how much a person owns.

An individual can choose to put a copy of a digital wallet on a USB drive, which makes it harder to trace. If this happens, an investigation can be done to determine when transactions took place, but the investigation may cost more than the currency is worth. Therefore, a spouse will have to hope that the coins were purchased or traded online where the transactions are easier to track.

Fewer members of the military in Indiana and across the country are choosing to marry according to one study. In 2017, around 51.7 of all troops on active duty were married while 56.6 percent were married in 2011. These statistics reflect similar trends to the overall population outside the military as well. When people in the military do choose to marry, they also face the possibility of divorce. Divorce rates held steady in 2017, remaining in the 3 percent range for the fourth consecutive year.

During 2017, around 21,290 married members of the military divorced out of a total of 689,00 married troops. This marked a slight decline from the year before when 22,500 people sought a divorce out of 707,230 married military members. The military divorce rate, which is calculated differently than the civilian divorce rate, compares the number of members of the armed forces listed as married at the beginning of a year with those who report a divorce during the course of the year.

Breathalyzers are the tool most commonly used in Illinois and across the country to show that a driver was intoxicated when he or she got behind the wheel. Across the country, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is unlawful and classified as driving under the influence. While blood tests provide the most precise results, breath analyzers are used far more frequently and provide instant results that are largely presumed to be accurate. However, the accuracy of those results could be questionable if the Breathalyzer was not properly calibrated before a driver's breath was assessed.

In general, courts accept Breathalyzer evidence in order to show that a driver had a BAC that exceeded the legal limit. However, in order for that evidence to be accepted, the police must show that the device is reliable and appropriate for this purpose. When police are unable to show that a breath analyzer has been properly maintained or that the operator has not received proper training, the Breathalyzer results may be excluded from a drunk driving case.

Sparklers? Check. Miniature American flags? Check. Meat for the grill? Check. There might still be one more step to take before celebrating the Fourth of July: an OVWI/DUI prevention plan.

Independence Day is one of the top days of the year for alcohol consumption. Depending on the way you plan to celebrate, you may drink beer at a barbeque, shots at a party or wine while watching fireworks. However, certain holiday activities don’t mix well with intoxication. Aside from staying sober while igniting pyrotechnics, Indiana residents need to stay sober if they plan to drive home.