Public comment invited on proposed pretrial services rules
A series of proposed rules concerning pretrial services is up for public review and comment, the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors has announced.
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Public comment invited on proposed pretrial services rules
A series of proposed rules concerning pretrial services is up for public review and comment, the Indiana Judicial Conference Board of Directors has announced.
Federal judge tosses conviction in IU student’s murder for ineffective counsel
The man convicted in the May 2000 murder of Indiana University student Jill Behrman has been ordered released from prison after a federal judge granted him habeas relief. In reaching that decision, the Southern Indiana District Court determined the Indiana Court of Appeals improperly evaluated the defendant’s allegations of prejudice.
Man who confessed to killing previously ruled suicide gets 37-year sentence
An Indiana man who walked into a police station to confess to killing a woman in Illinois when he lived there five years earlier has been sentenced to 37 years in prison. The Terre Haute woman’s death previously had been ruled a suicide.
Fort Wayne officer won’t be charged in man’s fatal shooting
A Fort Wayne police officer who fatally shot a man after a police chase won’t face charges in the shooting. The driver was fatally shot May 22 after a police chase ended when he crashed his car.
Dallas officer who fatally shot neighbor faces sentencing
The same jury that convicted a white Dallas police officer of murder in the fatal shooting of her black neighbor returns to court Wednesday to consider her sentence — a penalty that could be anywhere from five years to life in prison.
Justices’ rent-to-own ruling helps consumers, lawyers say
The Indiana Supreme Court reviewed a dispute over a rent-to-own contract and determined the family who had been living in the home were renters, not buyers. The ruling in Rainbow Realty Group, Inc., et al. v. Katrina Carter and Quentin Lintner, might give families who enter rent-to-buy contracts some remedy to prevent their dreams of homeownership from becoming a nightmare.
Ethics case from Park Tudor sex scandal weighs duty to report vs. privilege
The fallout from the revelation that the former Park Tudor boys basketball coach exchanged explicit messages with a 15-year-old student continued last week, when the school’s former attorney was subject to a disciplinary hearing over his conduct during the school’s investigation.
From space sharing to firm sharing
A few years ago, two Indianapolis law firms agreed to share office space. A few weeks ago, they joined forces in a merger that has them optimistic for what the future holds.
Taking a seat at the table: Women neutrals underrepresented in some fields
In the field of alternative dispute resolution, diversity appears to be making fewer gains than in the legal profession as a whole. A 2018 article in the ABA Journal reported that, generally, studies show women comprising around 20% of the national ADR field. Similarly, American Bar Association Resolution 105 calls dispute resolution “arguably the least diverse corner of the profession.”
New SCOTUS word limits sharpen focus on writing
In a change effective July 1, the U.S. Supreme Court reduced the number of words litigants and friends can use in their submissions. The word limit for briefs on the merits of the case was slashed by 2,000 to 13,000. Also, amicus briefs were slimmed down to 8,000 from 9,000, although briefs from some entities such as federal agencies and state attorneys general were exempted from the reduction.
Mears steps into top job, halts minor marijuana prosecutions
A week after he became acting Marion County prosecutor, Ryan Mears announced the office will no longer be prosecuting defendants accused of possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana.
Web Exclusive: Trailblazers reflect on progress of women in law
As Barnes & Thornburg recognized trailblazing professional women with its annual Shirley’s Legacy Award recently, past recipients shared their views of how women are faring in the legal profession and the challenges that persist.
Law school’s milestone: IU McKinney celebrates 125 years of making lawyers
Idealism may be common among students at all law schools across the country, but the celebration of IU McKinney’s 125th anniversary was an occasion to spotlight what many see as the sustained conviction of the graduates to make the world better.
The prosecution rests: Curry steps down
With a voice that sometimes came close to breaking, Terry Curry announced he was resigning as Marion County Prosecutor on Sept. 23, saying his health and desire to spend more time with his family forced him to make the difficult decision to leave the job he loves.
Counties prepare for pretrial release reform
As 2019 draws to a close, judicial officials across Indiana are preparing for a change coming Jan. 1. On that day, Criminal Rule 26, which dictates new pretrial release protocols, will be effective statewide.
Video hearings did not result in unfair or harmful juvenile proceedings
Two juveniles will remain wards of the Indiana Department of Correction after the Indiana Supreme Court found that while their participation in their modification hearings through Skype violated an administrative rule, it did not cause a fundamental error.
Supreme Court announces protection order e-filing service
Individuals in need of a protective order can now request one online without having to leave a safe space to visit the courthouse. The Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday its new protection order e-filing service, which enables those who need a protection order to request one wherever they have access to the internet.
Federal judge denies motion to dismiss suit against Jackson Co. nativity scene
A southern Indiana woman accusing her local government of endorsing Christianity has cleared the first hurdle of a motion to dismiss her claim that a nativity scene placed on the Jackson County Courthouse’s front lawn violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause.
Taft merger leads explosive Q3 law firm combinations
The third quarter of 2019 posted a record-setting pace in the law firm mergers and acquisitions market with the combination of Indianapolis-based Taft Stettinius & Hollister and Minneapolis-based Briggs and Morgan leading the pack.