Civil commitment laws shifting across states
While Indiana justices recently stressed the great public importance of proper adjudication of soaring mental health filings, states across the country are dealing with rising caseloads in no uniform way.
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Judge rules for Hendricks County deputy in mentally ill man’s slaying
A federal judge has ruled in favor of several parties, including a Hendricks County sheriff’s deputy, after a mentally ill man was fatally shot during a welfare check.
U.S. House committee approves $135 million boost to legal aid funding
The Legal Services Corporation got a fast start in the federal budget process Wednesday after the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved a large financial boost of $550 million to the civil legal aid organization.
COA: No error in ruling over disputed gravel driveway
A dispute between two neighbors concerning who was permitted use a gravel driveway splitting their properties ended in favor of a woman who argued she paid taxes and had been using the entry for more than 20 years before her neighbors showed up.
COA orders state to reimburse $77K from illegal seizure
The state must pay back more than $77,000 to a man after seizing cash from his vehicle, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, finding the money was unlawfully seized and turned over to the federal government.
Indiana files opioid suit against Purdue Pharma, Sackler family
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against several owners and directors of pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma, alleging those members of the Sackler family have played a key role in contributing to Indiana’s opioid epidemic.
ACLU, state debate ‘alternatives’ to banned abortion procedure
As abortion rights supporters and opponents nationwide clash over legislation restricting abortions in several states, Indiana is beginning yet another legal battle over a law that could limit Hoosiers’ abortion access. This year’s fight is centered on second-trimester abortions and whether alternative procedures make banning a specific abortion procedure permissible.
Supreme Court sends dispute over Fosamax back to lower court
The Supreme Court is sending a dispute between drugmaker Merck and patients who used its bone-strengthening drug Fosamax back to a lower court.
State argues more lawyers not needed in CHINS, TPR cases
In response to a lawsuit seeking to require the state appoint attorneys to represent children in termination of parental rights or children in need of services proceedings, Indiana is arguing that adding more lawyers would only flatter the legal professionals and not mollify tragic circumstances.
Amended rule broadens judges’ discretion with pro se litigants
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.2 dealing with the impartiality and fairness of Indiana judges.
Suit: Indiana’s absentee voter verification system unconstitutional
Common Cause Indiana and a group of registered voters in St. Joseph County are challenging the process Indiana uses to validate absentee ballots, calling it constitutionally flawed and asking a federal court to prohibit the state from rejecting absentee ballots based solely on perceived signature mismatches.
Court of Appeals won’t rehear Lake Monroe logging case
The Indiana Court of Appeals has declined to rehear a couple’s lawsuit seeking to stop a neighbor’s logging of his property along Lake Monroe.
Web Exclusive: Supported decision making makes strides
After three years of collaboration and research, efforts to create more options of independence for Hoosiers who face the confines of a guardianship have come to fruition. Those new options include legal recognition of supported decision making.
Fired whistleblower’s case against IDEM reinstated, remanded
A long-running dispute between the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and a terminated employee has been partially revived after a panel of appellate judges agreed the former worker could have been held personally liable for misuse of state funds.
Family sues Indiana pediatrician accused of sexual abuse
The family of a 12-year-old boy who alleges he was sexually abused by a Boone County pediatrician has filed a civil lawsuit against the doctor who is accused of multiple criminal counts.
Ex-Indiana high school dive coach enters plea in sex case
A former assistant dive coach at a northwest Indiana high school faces four years in prison after reaching a plea agreement in a sexual misconduct case involving two female students.
Debt collectors to use email, texts under new Trump rules
Debt collectors will be able to start contacting borrowers via text and email under new regulations proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Majority justices won’t hear more commitment appeals lacking judge’s signature
Indiana Supreme Court justices split over whether to grant transfer in two civil commitment order cases last week but granted transfer in two similar cases in a per curiam opinion that disapproved of a Marion County judge’s practice of permitting a presiding commissioner to sign the orders in his place.
Hill seeking $183K after ex-Whiteland fire official’s theft
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is seeking more than $180,000 in restitution from the former secretary-treasurer of the Whiteland Volunteer Fire Department after she pleaded guilty to misappropriating public funds for personal use.
ACLU sues to block latest Indiana abortion law
The American Civil Liberties Union has once again filed a federal lawsuit challenging an Indiana abortion law, this time filing a complaint against recently signed legislation that would place new restrictions on second-trimester abortions.