SCOTUS denies cert, upholding Indiana’s judicial canons
It’s official: Indiana’s judicial canons are constitutional and the rules don’t infringe upon a judge or candidate’s free speech rights.
Michael W. Hoskins
Articles
SCOTUS denies Indiana judicial canons case
The Supreme Court of the United States has refused to take a case asking whether Indiana’s judicial canons constitutionally infringe on the free speech rights of those on or vying for seats on the bench.
Indianapolis attorney to represent accused USS Cole bomber mastermind
A week after the federal government announced it would seek the death penalty against the prime suspect in the 2000 bombing of the USS Cole, the Department of Defense has appointed an Indianapolis attorney to represent the man who will face the first military tribunal under President Barack Obama’s administration.
Judge: Governor doesn’t have to testify in IBM case
Marion Superior Judge David Dreyer has ruled that Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels doesn’t have to testify about his involvement in the cancelled multi-million dollar IBM contract to modernize the state’s welfare system.
Balancing philosophical with practical concerns regarding death penalty
Indiana Lawyer takes an in-depth look at the death penalty in the "Cost of Justice" series.
Legally preserving history
Real estate, property negligence, and zoning laws are often utilized to preserve, restore, or protect sites having historic significance.
Indiana court official visits Ukraine to discuss court access
The trip was a part of an ongoing effort the United States is making to help Ukraine improve its judicial independence and establish more of a democracy.
Prosecutors: money doesn’t trump other factors when considering death penalty
At a time when capital punishment requests are down and some state officials are questioning the cost and overall effectiveness of seeking a death sentence, the issue of what it’s worth to go after this ultimate punishment is getting more scrutiny in Indiana and nationwide. Read more in Indiana Lawyer's in-depth look at the death penalty and the cost of justice.
SCOTUS denies case between Indiana agencies on 11th Amendment
The Supreme Court of the United States won’t take an Indiana case which delved into whether the 11th Amendment prohibits an independent state agency from suing a traditional state agency in federal court.
Judges address ‘public utility’ questions
In a case of first impression in this state, the Indiana Court of Appeals has determined that BP Products North America Inc.'s petroleum refinery plant in northern Indiana isn’t a public utility as defined by state statute when it acts as a sort of conduit and provides natural gas and other services such as steam and wastewater to other private companies nearby.
Justices put school board member back on Hammond mayoral ballot
The Indiana Supreme Court late Thursday reversed a decision from a Lake Superior judge and put a nonpartisan school board member back on the ballot for the Hammond mayoral run in the upcoming primary election.
UPDATE: Hamilton Superior judge surprised by case resolution
In all his years on the bench, Hamilton Superior Judge William J. Hughes said he hasn’t experienced what he did this week as a defendant in a North Carolina court.
Hamilton County judge pleads guilty to reckless driving
Longtime Hamilton Superior Judge William J. Hughes pleaded guilty Monday in a North Carolina court, avoiding a drunken driving conviction for a lesser count of reckless driving that means a year of unsupervised probation.
Suspended attorney pleads guilty to theft
A suspended attorney has pleaded guilty to stealing $283,000 from his clients during dozens of transactions.
Judges disagree on whether landowners are ‘aggrieved’
Jurists on the Indiana Court of Appeals disagreed on an issue of first impression about what an “aggrieved” party is when it comes to filing a mandate or injunction against a water conservancy district under state statute.
Court addresses forgery statute on electronic credit card purchases
Using someone else’s credit card and electronically signing that person’s name is considered “uttering” a written instrument under Indiana’s forgery statute, the state’s appellate court has ruled.
Justice-turned-mediator: ADR does work
When he was on the bench, former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Ted Boehm read a lot about alternative dispute resolution, and now that he’s off the bench, he can see firsthand that it truly does work.
Indiana courts take backseat on camera study
As yet another study concerning cameras in the courtroom is about to begin, Indiana doesn’t appear to be anywhere closer to allowing cameras in its state or federal trial-level courtrooms.
Comment time extended on state court rules
The Hoosier legal community has more time to offer comment on a multitude of state court rules that are being examined for potential revision.
Screening panel named in Public Defender search
The Indiana Supreme Court has named a five-person panel to lead the search for a new state public defender.