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.
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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.
Justices to hear arguments in 5 cases, decline nearly 40 others
Indiana Supreme Court justices granted transfer to five cases last week, declining review of nearly 40 others.
City courts finishing e-filing rollout
Electronic filing is now available in the Lake County Hobart City Court, one of just a handful of city courts finishing out the e-filing rollout.
Muncie attorney reinstated after lengthy suspension
A Muncie attorney who was suspended for at least three years without reinstatement for numerous professional misconduct violations has been granted his petition to practice law again, but with conditions.
House Democrats subpoena Giuliani in Trump impeachment probe
Democrats on Monday subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer who was at the heart of Trump’s efforts to get Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden’s family.
Authorities: Hartford City man found with drugs, synthetic urine
A 49-year-old Indiana man on probation has been charged with new drug charges including possession of synthetic urine. Kirk Allen Boughman was charged Friday with felony possession of methamphetamine and three misdemeanors.
Farmland woman gets 41 years in daughter’s crash death
An eastern Indiana woman has been sentenced to 41 years in prison for a highway crash that killed her 6-year-old daughter. A Delaware County judge sentenced 30-year-old Jessica Skeens on Monday.
COA affirms dismissal of mom’s false arrest claims
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the dismissal of a mother’s complaint against a deputy chief of police, which alleged he created a false affidavit for her arrest after she allegedly touched her child in an “abusive” manner.
Plaintiffs in RTFA dispute ask Indiana Supreme Court for review
Neighbors to an 8,000-head hog farm are asking the Indiana Supreme Court for relief, arguing Indiana’s Right to Farm Act does not give blanket immunity to all negligence and trespass claims. Martin Richard and Janet Himsel and Robert and Susan Lannon have filed a petition to transfer their complaint over a concentrated animal feeding operation near their farms in Hendricks County.
Reversal: Jury instruction on man’s failure to mitigate damages was error
A man who claimed a semi-truck driver and the driver’s employer caused him personal injuries after an interstate collision will receive a new damages trial after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that an instruction given to the jury on the man’s failure to mitigate his damages was erroneous.
Sex offender registration requirement reversed for voyeurism conviction
A man convicted of voyeurism won’t have to register as a sex offender, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled, concluding the man was not convicted of a crime requiring that he do so.
Marion County halts simple marijuana possession prosecutions
Simple possession of marijuana will no longer be prosecuted in Indianapolis courts, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office has announced. Acting Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Monday the office will no longer file charges against defendants accused of possessing less than 1 ounce, or roughly 30 grams, of marijuana.