3 finalists named for Allen County judicial position
The Allen Superior Court Judicial Nominating Commission announced Monday the three judicial officers are finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy due to Judge Charles F. Pratt’s pending retirement.
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Articles
ILAS gets $250,000 boost from Lilly Endowment
Indianapolis Legal Aid Society has received a $250,000 COVID-19 relief grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., providing much-needed support for legal assistance to low-income Hoosiers in central Indiana who have been acutely affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Citing recent precedent, justices vacate dangerous possession adjudication
A juvenile adjudication of dangerous possession of a firearm has been vacated by the Indiana Supreme Court in light of its opinion last year that juvenile courts lack jurisdiction to adjudicate the offense.
Noble Circuit judge to resume duties after health leave
Noble Circuit Judge Michael J. Kramer will resume his duties at the courthouse in Albion next month after a temporary leave for health reasons, the Indiana Supreme Court said in a Thursday order.
In 3-2 split, justices deny woman’s self-defense claim in murder
An Indianapolis woman who was convicted of murder after her manslaughter plea was rejected when she claimed self-defense could not persuade a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court last week to hear her appeal.
Senate confirms Merrick Garland to be U.S. attorney general
The Senate confirmed Merrick Garland on Wednesday to be the next U.S. attorney general with a strong bipartisan vote, placing the widely respected, veteran judge in the post as President Joe Biden has vowed to restore the Justice Department’s reputation for independence.
Biden order could change how colleges handle sex misconduct
In a first step toward reversing a contentious Trump administration policy, President Joe Biden on Monday ordered his administration to review federal rules guiding colleges in their handling of campus sexual assaults.
Lilly Endowment gives $250K boost to legal aid
Indiana Legal Services has received a $250,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment to help the growing number of Hoosiers who have legal needs as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.
Justices to hear arguments on 2 transfer petitions
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases this week, considering whether to grant transfer to disputes involving college athletes and police interrogations.
Lawyer suspended 20 years ago gets conditional reinstatement
An Indianapolis lawyer who was suspended more than 20 years ago has been conditionally reinstated to the Indiana bar. The reinstated attorney is permitted to practice on a probationary period.
New online court hearing calendar in use by more than 30 counties
The Indiana Supreme Court has launched a new online tool providing information about daily dockets for courts in more than 30 Indiana counties. The tool follows court rules requiring courts to make daily calendars public and permitting courts to livestream proceedings due to COVID-19.
With Biden’s backing, Democrats revive bill to overhaul policing
Cheered on by President Joe Biden, House Democrats hustled to pass the most ambitious effort in decades to overhaul policing nationwide, able to avoid clashing with moderates in their own party who are wary of reigniting a debate they say hurt them during last fall’s election.
SCOTUS raises bar for some immigrants to avoid deportation
The Supreme Court on Thursday made it harder for longtime immigrants who have been convicted of a crime to avoid deportation. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the opinion for a 5-3 conservative majority that ruled against a Mexican citizen who entered the U.S. illegally and has lived in the country for 25 years.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett authors first opinion
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett has delivered her first opinion, writing a 7-2 decision released Thursday in a case about the federal Freedom of Information Act, which Barrett explains makes “records available to the public upon request, unless those records fall within one of nine exemptions.”
House passes sweeping voting rights bill over GOP opposition
House Democrats passed sweeping voting and ethics legislation over unanimous Republican opposition, advancing to the Senate what would be the largest overhaul of the U.S. election law in at least a generation.
Justices to hear arguments in med-mal case over hepatitis misdiagnosis
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in a case brought by a woman who was incorrectly told a hepatitis test was negative when the test revealed she was, in fact, hepatitis positive.
JNC recertifies 2 senior judges
Two senior judges have been recertified for another year of service in Indiana. Cynthia Amber of Fort Wayne and Carol Jane Orbison of Indianapolis were recertified as senior judges in a Feb. 25 order.
Supreme Court likely to uphold Arizona voting restrictions
The Supreme Court appeared ready Tuesday to uphold voting restrictions in Arizona in a key case that could make it harder to challenge a raft of other voting measures Republicans have proposed following last year’s elections.
Supreme Court accepts certified questions from 7th Circuit in med-mal case
The Indiana Supreme Court has scheduled arguments and is accepting briefs in a case involving certified questions from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals addressing the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act and Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund.
St. Joseph JNC accepting new applications as lawsuit, legislation persist
As litigation and legislation that could change the structure of judicial selection in St. Joseph County proceeds, the St. Joseph County Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting applications to fill a vacancy that will occur in the spring.