Indiana’s death toll from COVID-19 surpasses 2,800
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday reported 740 new COVID-19 cases, the ninth time in the past 10 days that new cases have exceeded 600.
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Justices toss man’s child molesting charges for speedy trial violation
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered discharge of child molesting counts, finding the defendant is entitled to the discharge because the state waited too long to bring a stay of the proceedings in order to toll Indiana Criminal Rule 4(C)’s one-year limitation.
8 indicted in alleged Indianapolis-Muncie drug trafficking ring
Federal and local law enforcement agencies on Tuesday announced multiple indictments in an alleged drug trafficking ring dealing in fentanyl, heroin, meth and cocaine after executing numerous search and arrest warrants a day earlier.
7th Circuit reinstates Myers’ murder conviction in IU student Behrman’s death
The murder conviction against the man found guilty of killing Indiana University student Jill Behrman has been reinstated after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that his counsel was deficient, but not prejudicial.
Fishers couple injured in Florida boat crash sue Zionsville CEO they say was driving unsafely
Two Fishers residents severely injured in a south Florida powerboat crash late last year are suing the CEO of Indianapolis-based insurance holding company Group1001 for allegedly driving the 425-horsepower boat recklessly after drinking, although he has not been criminally charged.
Appeal rejected for Ison, who pleaded guilty to 5 killings
An Indiana appeals court has rejected the latest request by a man convicted of fatally shooting five people in southeastern Indiana in 2011 who sought to appeal his guilty pleas and sentence in those slayings.
Teachers union backs strike if schools can’t reopen safely
Indiana’s second-largest teacher organization announced Tuesday that its members may resort to striking to ensure a safe return to school as the state continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Web Exclusive: First impressions of the first COVID-era jury trial
“I knew that I was the first trial and that if I screwed up, nobody else would get to go, so I wanted these people to be comfortable,” Lake Superior Judge Bruce Parent said. Parent and others shared their perspectives on the first Indiana jury trial permitted after court proceedings were suspended due to the pandemic.
Nimble leader: New Indy office managing partner steers Dentons Bingham Greenebaum
It is easy to understand why Meg Christensen’s favorite word these days is “nimble.” The 38-year-old attorney became the managing partner of Dentons Bingham Greenebaum’s Indianapolis office during unprecedented challenges and about six months after the merger with global giant Dentons launched a new law firm business model.
Studies show initial success in state pretrial release assessments
With the implementation of Criminal Rule 26 in January, courts across Indiana have been required to begin using evidence-based practices to make pretrial release decisions. But do those practices actually improve the criminal justice system?
All the buzz: Beekeeping fosters camaraderie among northern Indiana judges
Covered from head to toe in protective fabric and netting, three northern Indiana judges set out in the summer evening toward a buzzing stack of boxes settled against a tree line. The faded brown and green frames are home to thousands upon thousands of honeybees, going about their merry way gathering and storing food.
A brave new chapter: AI tackles legal writing
A well-written opinion or brief can change the course of legal thought, but while other parts of the practice of law have been upended by technology, the physical act of writing remains pretty much a job done by humans. However, new artificial intelligence software appears poised to rewrite the definition of writing.
Resumed federal executions further divide country
The deaths of Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Ira Purkey and Dustin Honken roused the anger of civil liberties lawyers, who say the executions were carried out in a rushed and even unlawful manner. The overarching question in public discussion has been “why” — why did Attorney General William Barr make the executions a priority? And why were they carried out while the country was dealing with a pandemic, racial unrest and a looming election?
Moratorium extended as landlords, tenants encouraged to avoid evictions
As Gov. Eric Holcomb extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until mid-August, Indiana state courts increased their calls for residents and property owners to start trying to work out agreements that will keep families in their homes.
Notre Dame Law’s Religious Liberty Clinic expects broad reach
Notre Dame Law School’s new Religious Liberty Clinic is designed to train lawyers in all practice areas to grapple with issues of religious freedom. “It’s critical that if we fight for freedom of religion, it’s for freedom of all religious faiths or no faith at all,” Dean G. Marcus Cole said.
Craig and Rulon: Technology keeps wheels of justice turning through COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged and changed how lawyers do business. Although law firms were considered essential businesses by Indiana’s stay-at-home orders, most lawyers responsibly transitioned their practices to remote working arrangements. This article focuses on how litigators used — and continue to use — technology to meet client needs and court deadlines.
DTCI: A few estate planning strategies for peace of mind
Most people don’t want to think of their own mortality or the possibility that they may become incapacitated and incapable of expressing their health care wishes. Having an estate plan as well as a plan in place for end-of-life decisions will provide peace of mind for you and your family.
Hammerle on… The importance of travel
While I hate to admit this, the pandemic has inflicted a miserable toll on me. As a criminal defense attorney, personal interaction with prosecutors and court staff has been eliminated. This has made it difficult to resolve tough cases when you are reduced to using Zoom and emails. Yet it is the inability to travel that has sucked the wind out of my sails.
Terrell: Gus the JLAP therapy dog — A life well lived
The legal profession recently lost a bit of joy, comfort and unconditional love. Gus, the 10-year-old golden retriever and JLAP therapy dog who was a regular sight at state and local bar association events, died July 3.
Van Dame and Johnson: Finding, using social media evidence in personal injury cases
To a savvy litigator armed with best practices to avoid ethical violations and ensure admissibility, social media can be utilized as an effective tool to gather information throughout litigation, including trial.