Indiana Court Decisions: March 22-April 5, 2023
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
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Helping the self-represented: Growing number of counties offering self-help centers for pro se litigants
A growing number of Indiana counties are finding ways to connect pro se litigants with legal assistance.
IndyBar Practice Toolkit: Profit Center: How to Feel More Confident About New Hires
Especially in the current job market, it’s important not to overextend yourself in hiring new attorneys or staff persons.
Why arbitrators aren’t using ChatGPT — not yet, anyway
Linda Beyea is the vice president of innovation at the American Arbitration Association and is on a mission to get arbitrators to pay attention to ChatGPT and other similar artificial intelligence programs.
IN Southern District diversity internship opens doors to ‘intimidating’ federal judiciary
Shahd Jaziri walked into the federal courthouse in Indianapolis last spring for an interview and felt the same thing others likely feel: intimidation.
IndyBar: The EPA and PFAS
The EPA is cracking down on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a ubiquitous family of chemicals that can be found everywhere from dairy farms and military bases to nonstick pans and food packaging.
Pro bono reporting requirements amended to include ‘public service or charitable groups or organizations’
Indiana attorneys will be required to report their pro bono services specifically to “public service or charitable groups or organizations” via a rule amendment approved by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Justices hear arguments in Ball State COVID-related closure lawsuit
Indiana Supreme Court justices heard arguments Tuesday in a case involving a student who filed a class-action lawsuit against Ball State University for COVID-related closures.
Supreme Court removes nonattorney from mediation registry, bars him from providing legal services
The Indiana Supreme Court has removed a nonattorney from the Office of Admissions and Continuing Education’s mediator registry and has permanently barred him from providing or offering to provide legal services unless he obtains an Indiana law license.
COA dismisses appeal of woman kept off May 2022 GOP primary, citing mootness
A would-be candidate in last year’s Republican primary cannot now appeal the challenge to her candidacy that ultimately kept her off the ballot.
Former Celadon execs to pay $50K to settle accounting fraud case
Former Celadon Group Inc. executives Eric Meek and Bobby Peavler have each agreed to pay a $50,000 civil penalty to settle accounting fraud complaints filed against them by the Securities and Exchange Commission more than three years ago.
AG Rokita asks judge to ‘reconsider’ finding that he ‘clearly violated’ Indiana law in case filed by abortion doc
In a legal battle with an Indianapolis abortion doctor that was voluntarily dismissed last year, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is asking a trial court to revisit a previous ruling that he “clearly violated” Indiana law.
Democratic senators urge chief justice to probe Thomas trips
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee called on U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to open an investigation into the undisclosed acceptance of luxury trips by Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife that were paid for by a Republican megadonor.
Some US states stock abortion medications after court ruling
A growing number of states led by Democratic governors are stockpiling doses of drugs used in medication abortions, amid fears that a court ruling could restrict access to the most commonly used method of abortion in the U.S.
Key lawmakers win access to mishandled classified docs
The Biden administration has begun sharing with a bipartisan group of lawmakers known as the Gang of Eight classified documents found in the possession of former President Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence, according to five people familiar with the matter.
Senate passes bill requiring schools notify parents of transgender student requests
Indiana senators on Monday approved a controversial bill mandating that schools notify parents when a student asks for name or pronoun changes, as well as banning human sexuality instruction to the youngest students.
Overall, 1st-time February bar pass rates dip, but repeat-takers post an increase
First-time Indiana bar exam takers posted a pass rate of 62% in February 2023 — down nine percentage points from February 2022.
7th Circuit sides with school district following teacher’s ‘forced resignation’ over transgender name policy
A central Indiana school district did not violate the religious rights of a former teacher who resigned after refusing to follow the district’s policy for how to address transgender students, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in affirming a district court’s decision.
Indiana officers cleared in fatal shooting at traffic stop
A prosecutor has cleared two Indiana law enforcement officers of any criminal wrongdoing in connection with a fatal shooting during a traffic stop in February.
COA: Woman voluntarily committed felony meth possession in penal facility by disregarding state trooper’s warnings
A woman voluntarily committed felony possession of methamphetamine in a penal facility when she chose not to heed a state trooper’s warnings, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has ruled in affirming a lower court’s decision.