The Times is publishing a series of articles highlighting common laws and rules. To suggest a law for The Times to highlight, contact the writer.

Earlier this month, It's the Law celebrated one year in print.

The column has endeavored to tackle laws with judicious timing -- such as focusing at the start of the school year on the need to obey school bus stop arms and school zone speed limits, and explaining the illegal nature of open burning during the spring and fall when cleanup takes place throughout the area.

It's the Law has covered everything from littering to child molestation, from voting laws to odd and outdated laws. The column also explained how prosecutors decide whether to charge someone, why they enter into plea agreements with defendants and why the death penalty is or is not sought.

The column also recently earned a state award -- the Indiana Judges Association's Excellence in Public Information and Education award.

It's the Law actually dates back to 1990, when it first appeared in The Vidette-Messenger, which The Times purchased. The first set of It's the Law columns ran from April 1990 to August 1992.

The column began after two police officers urged putting laws in the spotlight. Al Eisenmenger, of the Valparaiso Police Department, and Mike Krawczyk, a retired Porter County police officer, felt that, while ignorance of the law is no excuse, it would benefit everyone if the community were educated about the most commonly violated laws and some of the more obscure laws.

It's the Law returned Sept. 1, 2008, and continues its mission to educate the community about laws and to answer readers' questions.