Pilot commercial courts to become permanent
Indiana’s pilot commercial courts will become a permanent part of the Hoosier judiciary next month. The six specialized dockets around the state will remain where they are, with some rule amendments.
IL Staff
Articles
Former Indianapolis attorney Samuel Fuller dies at 94
Samuel A. Fuller, a former Indianapolis lawyer who had been active in the Indianapolis and Indiana state bar associations, died May 10 at his home in Sun City Center, Florida. He was 94.
Amended rule broadens judges’ discretion with pro se litigants
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.2 dealing with the impartiality and fairness of Indiana judges.
Alabama governor invokes God in banning nearly all abortions
Alabama's Republican governor has signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation, making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. The development comes as two Indiana petitions challenging abortion laws linger before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Fired Hamilton County magistrate judge pleads not guilty to meth charge
A fired suburban Indianapolis magistrate judge has pleaded not guilty to felony possession of methamphetamine.
Attorney charged with intimidation gets disability suspension
An attorney who was suspended from the practice of law earlier this year for telling a Marion County court that someone was “going to die” has been suspended from practicing law effective immediately due to disability.
Justices reject marijuana ‘pursuit of happiness’ appeal
The state’s high court will not partake in arguments that laws criminalizing marijuana violated a man’s right to the pursuit of happiness, snuffing out his challenge to Indiana’s pot prohibition.
Justices to hear murdered student’s wrongful death, denied TPR cases
More than 50 cases were denied transfer last week, but Indiana Supreme Court justices agreed to hear arguments in two cases involving a teen’s murder and a reversed denial to terminate a mother’s parental rights.
Indiana Court Decisions — April 25-May 8, 2019
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Bedford attorney appointed judge pro tem to fill McCord vacancy
A judge pro tempore has been appointed to replace former Lawrence Circuit Judge Andrea K. McCord following her appointment to the federal judiciary as the newest bankruptcy judge in the Indiana Southern District Court. Serving in McCord’s place as judge pro tempore will be Bedford attorney Nathan G. Nikirk.
IU McKinney announces rural justice judicial clerkships
A second Indiana law school has partnered with the Indiana Supreme Court to expose more students to the practice of law in less urban communities through a rural judicial clerkship program. Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law announced its collaboration with the state’s highest court, introducing five students who will take part in the “Supporting Rural Justice Initiative.”
Leadership in Law 2019 reception and awards presentation
Indiana Lawyer honored the 2019 Leadership in Law Award honorees at a reception May 8 at TwoDEEP Brewing Co. in Indianapolis.
Judges’ shootings: What happened, and what happens next?
Two Clark County judges are recovering from gunshot wounds after being shot in downtown Indianapolis earlier this month. Meanwhile, two men accused in the shooting have been released from their bonds after the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges.
ACLU report highlights Indiana’s prison problem
While acknowledging Indiana’s efforts to reform its criminal justice system has slowed the growth of the state’s prison population, a new report by the ACLU of Indiana asserts that additional reforms, including expanded access to treatment for mental health and substance abuse, could reduce the number of incarcerated by 50 percent and save Hoosier taxpayers more than $541 million by 2025.
Judges’ shooting suspects to go free after prosecutor declines to file charges
The two suspects arrested in connection with the shootings of two Clark County judges will soon go free after the Marion County Prosecutor's Office declined to file charges against them. Brandon Kaiser, 41, and Alfredo Vazquez, 23, were released as to their $200,000 and $60,000, respectively, bonds that were set in connection with the shootings of Clark Circuit Judges Andrew Adams and Bradley Jacobs.
New bankruptcy judge appointed to Indiana Southern District bench
Lawrence Circuit Judge Andrea K. McCord has been appointed to a 14-year term as a bankruptcy judge in the Indiana Southern District Court based in New Albany. McCord will take office May 20, succeeding retiring bankruptcy Judge Basil H. Lorch III.
Temporary jurists to hear cases as Clark judges recover from shooting
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed two temporary judges to hear cases in Clark County while two of its circuit court judges recover from a shooting incident that took place in Indianapolis last week.
Lawyer in alleged investment scheme enters another plea
A suspended lawyer who formerly worked in northern Indiana and was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to another charge in the case.
Magistrate judges are finalists for Lake Superior vacancy
Three Lake County magistrate judges have been selected as finalists to fill a vacancy on the northwestern Indiana county’s superior court bench.
Indiana gets $159K from Sephora tax fraud settlement
International beauty supply chain Sephora USA Inc. has paid Indiana a settlement to end a fraud lawsuit filed against it, Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office announced.