Indiana State Laws

Indiana residents are often called Hoosiers, though no one is quite sure where this name came from. Indiana was named for being Indian territory in the 1760s and is known as the Indian Land. The state is now broken into ninety-two different counties. Each county has its own circuit court with its own judges.

The counties themselves are governed through a county commissioners board. As each state is required to follow all federal laws, Indiana has also created state laws where the federal government has yet to set requirements. Many of these laws include labor laws, divorce laws, driving under the influence laws, felony charges, bankruptcy laws, gun laws, and many others.

Divorce
Where an individual resides dictates where he or she may legally file for divorce. Indiana law states that individuals are to file in their county of residency or the residency of their spouses. State law requires at least one individual be a resident of Indiana. Those who are stationed in Indiana for military reasons are considered state residents after six months.

The county in which an individual files is important as the circuit courts of each county handle the divorce cases and have the proper jurisdiction. If a divorce petition is filed to the incorrect county circuit court, the petition will be thrown out.

Bankruptcy
Each state, Indiana included, was required to change their requirements for filing for bankruptcy when the United States changed its process for bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy in the past was normally a quick and easy process that could be finished through do-it-yourself programs. The forms required for bankruptcy have now tripled and often require professional assistance.

The federal government installed these new requires to eliminate those who abuse the bankruptcy system. Indiana currently has two kinds of bankruptcy for personal use: Chapter Seven bankruptcy and Chapter Thirteen bankruptcy. Each of these chapters is designed to help individuals with different financial circumstances and was created for different purposes.

Gun Laws
The state of Indiana requires individuals to obtain concealed weapons permits prior to carrying any kind of handgun in a motor vehicle or on the body. However concealed weapons permits are not necessary when carrying handguns on personal property, in the home, or at a business establishment.

On-duty military personnel and law enforcement officers are not required to have a permit to legally carry handguns at any time. Concealed weapons permits can be acquired through application to a chief officer in local law enforcement or the county sheriff. He or she will run a background check on the individual and will require fingerprinting.

Wages
When the federal minimum wage was raised to seven dollars and twenty-five cents, Indiana was required to increase its minimum wage to this minimum. Under this law no Indiana employer is legally able to pay an employee less than this minimum. However employees who are tipped regularly during their shifts may legally be paid less per hour.

This is only legal because the tips obtained will even out the decrease in hourly wages. This minimum can be as little as three dollars an hour.