7th Circuit rejects felon’s ‘stalking horse’ argument
In a case of first impression, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a “stalking horse” argument made by a convicted felon on parole who was caught unlawfully possessing firearms.
Jordan Morey
Articles
COA affirms ruling for business on ex-employee’s wage claim, also awards appellate attorney fees
A northern Indiana man who lost his Wage Claims Act complaint against his former employer did not convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the trial court erred in its ruling and will now also have to pay appellate attorney fees to the business.
Legal battle brewing over trans athlete bill
In Indiana, a legal battle is already brewing over legislation that would ban transgender female athletes from competing on K-12 girls’ sports teams. Representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana have promised to file a lawsuit while Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has said his office will defend the bill’s constitutionality.
Court Tech developing jail data management system
With the Odyssey Case Management System now operational in all 92 Indiana counties, a new project aimed at better connecting justice partners is underway in Indiana. The new program, dubbed “INjail,” aims to not only make operations more efficient in sharing records — allowing courts and jails to seamlessly communicate with each other — but also to provide vital data to criminal justice stakeholders and lawmakers.
Despite identity theft, 7th Circuit rules debt collectors didn’t violate federal law in collection action
While the process of remedying a case of credit card identity theft caused “a world of aggravation” for the plaintiff, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the debt collectors’ actions during the investigation didn’t violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Appellate court finds copy of video evidence properly entered as evidence in burglary case
A copy of a video originally taken by a home security device was properly entered as evidence in convicting an Indiana man of burglary, according to the Court of Appeals of Indiana.
COA: Child molester’s multiple felony convictions pass Wadle test
A man’s convictions of two felony counts of child molesting don’t violate double jeopardy principles, according to the Court of Appeals of Indiana.
Drug offender to get new sentencing hearing after trial court sentencing error
An Indiana man had his rights infringed upon when a trial court denied his request to be physically present during his sentencing hearing, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
COA affirms TPR for mother of chronically ill son
A trial court didn’t err when it terminated the parental rights of a mother to her chronically ill son after multiple attempts were made to remedy the situation, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
Drug offender wrongfully placed in DOC instead of county jail, COA rules
A trial court abused its discretion when it ordered a man to spend 1½ years in the Indiana Department of Correction for Level 6 felony drug possession charges, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
COA reverses, affirms damages for couple over well drilling dispute
A split Court of Appeals of Indiana sorted out a dispute between a Northern Indiana couple and a well-drilling company in a 48-page opinion Friday, reversing some of the damages awarded to the pair but affirming most all others.
COA allows state to prosecute man after federal acquittal on related charge
A trial court erred when it dismissed state charges against a man who was acquitted in federal court on a charge stemming from the same incident, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Immigration group drops suit against Clay Co. officials regarding jail project that could house more ICE detainees
A lawsuit alleging Clay County officials failed to provide transparency in developing plans for a possible expansion of the Clay County Justice Center in Brazil, which houses U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees, has been voluntarily dismissed.
Appellate court allows appeal of pandemic unemployment benefits denial to proceed
An Indiana woman may administratively appeal the denial of her application for pandemic unemployment benefits, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled after the Department of Workforce Development failed to present evidence challenging the timeliness of the appeal.
Justice Barrett gives speech on federal equity power at Notre Dame Law
This week, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett gave a 30-minute presentation on federal equity power before taking questions from law students and professors in attendance.
COA: Trial court didn’t err when modifying parenting time based on basketball schedule
A parenting time modification that was granted to accommodate a teen’s summer basketball schedule was not an abuse of discretion by the Johnson Circuit Court, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled.
Many Afghan evacuees stuck in legal limbo after Atterbury
Three days after the final group of Afghan evacuees departed from Camp Atterbury, DeFur Voran associate Kelli Liggett met with some of the families who had resettled in Muncie. What she found on Jan. 28 was a mix of immigration cases — many of which, she estimates, won’t be processed by the time their humanitarian parole status is up in two years.
Legal leaders reflect on expected Black woman SCOTUS nomination
Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has joined a chorus of elation prompted by President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that he intends to make good on his promise to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States when Justice Stephen Breyer leaves the bench.
7th Circuit: No disability violation against man with seizure disorder who lost job offer
A federal court didn’t err when it awarded summary judgment to a major steel producer who rescinded a job offer to a man with an uncontrolled seizure disorder, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
No constitutional violation when defendant ordered to smile for jury, COA rules
The Wells Circuit Court didn’t violate a methamphetamine dealer’s Fifth Amendment rights when it ordered him to show his teeth to a jury to demonstrate he was the same person that was in an incriminating video, according to the Court of Appeals of Indiana.