New habeas corpus strategy is freeing some immigrant detainees
Attorneys are using it as a fast-pass ticket to seek a district court order that forces immigration judges to grant detainees a bond hearing or order their release.
Cameron Shaw
Articles
Indiana’s civic participation is improving, but experts say work still needs to be done
Voter registration in Indiana rose to 73.7% in 2024—the highest level in the last 14 years. That moved the state’s national ranking from 40th in the 2022 midterm election to 33rd in the 2024 presidential election, according to a new report from the Indiana Bar Foundation.
Bill would shield Uber, Lyft from liability lawsuits stemming from drivers’ crimes against passengers
If enacted, the measure would prevent future cases similar to the civil action now pending in Marion Superior Court against Uber following the 2024 murder of Indianapolis resident Chanti Dixon by an Uber driver.
Satanic Temple’s effort to stop Indiana’s anti-abortion law fails in the 7th Circuit
The federal appeals court dismissed the Satanic Temple’s lawsuit against the state’s ban on telehealth abortion medication, upholding a lower court’s ruling that the religious institution lacked standing.
5 legal issues to watch in the 2026 Legislature
The Indiana General Assembly is preparing for an abbreviated legislative session, but lawmakers will still delve into legal issues dealing with immigration, capital punishment and the removal process for prosecutors and Marion Superior Court judges.
Fox files request to shift former sports analyst Mark Sanchez’s assault case to federal court
A civil lawsuit brought against Mark Sanchez may be heading to federal court after his former employer, Fox Corporation, filed a removal request last week and argued the lawsuit’s addition of an Indiana-based business last month was “fraudulently” made to keep the case in Marion Superior Court.
Vocal redistricting supporter removed as chair of Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee
The move became apparent Tuesday when Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, an opponent of mid-decade redistricting, announced committee assignments for the 2026 session.
Hoosier consumers to share $10.5M in national Google Play Store settlement
The payments would come from a pending $700 million settlement reached in 2023 with Google over allegations the company unlawfully monopolized Android app distribution and in-app payment processing through the Google Play Store.
Some Indiana lawmakers ponder taking up the marijuana debate after Trump’s reclassification order
Indiana lawmakers could feel more pressure to legalize or regulate marijuana in some form now that the president has signed an order to reclassify it as a less dangerous drug.
How the Legislature’s redistribution of judges is affecting rural counties
As 2026 inches closer, some judicial officers in the affected counties are expressing concern about the changes, fearing rural Indiana could continue to be a legislative target in the years to come.
Hobart city officials sued by residents over rezoning for new Amazon data center
Several Hobart city residents have sued the city’s plan commission and city council over the rezoning of residential areas to accommodate a new proposed Amazon data center.
Porn companies sued for alleged violations of Indiana’s age verification law
A complaint was filed against Aylo, an adult entertainment company that owns several pornographic websites, including Pornhub, in the Marion Superior Court on Dec. 3.
Dozens of would-be U.S. citizens turned away from Indianapolis naturalization ceremony
The action followed a Dec. 2 policy memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services barring some pending naturalization cases for applicants from certain countries suspended earlier this year by President Donald Trump.
Indiana prosecutors slam legislation that would allow for their impeachment
Several county prosecutors with the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys held a news conference Tuesday to strongly oppose the legislation and announce their 2026 legislative proposals to address violent crime and frequent offenders.
Federal government settles lawsuit with Indiana, other GOP-led states to improve citizenship verification for voting
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security must provide free verification services to all state and local governments and allow Social Secruity numbers to be used for verification purposes.
Law firms stay mum on Rokita’s DEI policy
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s new policy would block outside law firms from obtaining state contracts if they use what he calls “illegal” diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
Remote court proceedings appear to be ‘here to stay’
Virtual hearings are commonly used in some cases, and if the Indiana Supreme Court accepts a recent administrative rule proposal, remote proceedings could be presumed in certain circumstances.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Greg Garrison announces retirement
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Josh Kocher will assume Garrison’s duties to ensure a smooth transition, according to a Hamilton County post on Facebook.
South Bend man charged with attempting to kill federal agent
The Nov. 19 indictment charged DeCarlos L. Smallwood, Robert Sanders, Kumar Bishop, Sanena Williams and DeCarlos C. Smallwood with various drug, money laundering and/or firearm offenses related to the distribution of methamphetamine over the course of 2025.
Indy lab agrees to pay over $9M to settle allegations it filed improper Medicare claims
The government says the lab billed Medicare for respiratory pathogen panels that were unnecessary or tied to improper referral arrangements.