Volunteer judges sought for IUPUI mock trial competition
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis’ mock trial team is seeking volunteers to serve as judges at a mock trial invitational next month.
IL Staff
Articles
Indiana Southern District warns of scam callers posing as court staff
Hoosiers with cases pending before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana are being advised to steer clear of scam callers posing as court employees and requesting personal information.
Lawyer, prosecutor, first gaming commission director ‘Jack’ Thar dies
A longtime Indianapolis attorney and public servant whose career included stints as a federal prosecutor as well as leading the state agency that awarded Indiana’s first riverboat gambling licenses has died. John “Jack” James Thar, 71, died Jan. 8, surrounded by loved ones after a battle with heart disease.
Semi driver in deadly I-465 crash pleads guilty but mentally ill
The semi driver charged in a crash on Interstate 465 last summer that killed three people has agreed to plead guilty but mentally ill to felony reckless homicide and misdemeanor recklessness charges. He could be sentenced to three to nine years.
Southern District promotes new clerk from within
The US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has found a successor to its long-serving clerk, turning to a longtime servant of the court who currently works as its death penalty law clerk. Roger A.G. Sharpe will succeed retiring clerk Laura Briggs effective May 10, Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson said in a press release.
Supreme Court amends rules for senior judges serving as special judge
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended Administrative Rule 5 and its references regarding the qualifications for senior judge status.
Rush to present 2020 State of the Judiciary Wednesday
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush next week will present the 2020 State of the Judiciary, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday.
Shelbyville man gets 200 years for child sexual exploitation
A man who pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography has been sentenced to 200 years in federal prison, the federal prosecutor’s office for the Southern District of Indiana announced.
PACER user group ready to begin work in February
Twelve individuals with backgrounds in the law, media, government and academia have been selected for the new PACER User Group, which will offer input and advice for improving the federal courts’ electronic docket system as well as other electronic public access services provided by the judicial branch.
Notre Dame Law hosting ABA exhibit celebrating women’s right to vote
A traveling exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of women’s constitutional right to vote is being this month hosted by Notre Dame Law School in partnership with the American Bar Association. The ABA joined with the Library of Congress and its Law Library to present the exhibit as part of the ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress’ “100 Years After the 19th Amendment: Their Legacy, and Our Future”.
Risk assessments for booked inmates take effect statewide
A new Indiana rule requiring that booked inmates be assessed to determine risks or benefits of releasing them before trial is expected to eventually reduce overcrowding at the state’s county jails, criminal justice officials say.
Community Health accused of improper Medicare claims in federal lawsuit
The United States government has filed a complaint against Community Health Network, alleging the central Indiana health care system submitted false claims to the Medicare program. Community, however, is calling the claims “meritless.”
Former Attica High School coach sentenced to 24 years for child porn
A former Attica High School assistant track coach has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of production and possession of child pornography. Jeremy Kelley, 41, of Attica, was sentenced by U.S. Southern District Court Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced Monday.
Fearnow, Modisett sign lawyers letter refuting McConnell on impeachment trial
Two prominent Hoosiers have joined hundreds of attorneys who signed a letter condemning Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s handling of a possible impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Bloomington annexation case heads to Supreme Court
A battle over a voided annexation ordinance between Bloomington and the Indiana Governor’s Office will continue this week when the Indiana Supreme Court hears oral arguments.
Indiana GOP holding off teacher pay action in 2020 session
Members of the Republican-dominated General Assembly return Monday to the Statehouse in Indianapolis for their 2020 session, during which they will face continued calls from teacher unions and Democrats for better teacher pay and less reliance on standardized student test scores for evaluation of schools and educators.
New pretrial release rule adds risk assessments for booked inmates
A new Indiana rule requiring that booked inmates be assessed to determine risks or benefits of releasing them before trial is expected to eventually reduce overcrowding at the state’s county jails, criminal justice officials say. Criminal Rule 26, which set Indiana’s new pretrial release protocols, was adopted by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2017, but it didn’t take effect statewide until Jan. 1.
Tippecanoe Co. prosecutor to lead prosecutors’ association
Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Patrick Harrington will serve as president of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Inc. in 2020 following his recent election to the post.
Indiana asks SCOTUS to uphold Louisiana admitting-privileges abortion law
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has requested that the United States Supreme Court uphold a Louisiana law requiring all ambulatory surgical centers, including abortion clinics, to hold admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
2020 ICLEO applications available
Applications are now available for the 2020 Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity program may now do so, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Friday.