Court upholds jury verdict for 8 fired Anderson workers
Eight fired city of Anderson employees who won a $731,994 damages award after a jury trial successfully rebuffed the former mayor’s request for judgment overturning the verdict or a new trial.
Court opinions
Articles
COA affirms 20-year sentence for man convicted of firearm, drug felonies
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a 20-year sentence imposed on a man convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and driving children in car while under the influence of various drugs, finding the trial court did not abuse its discretion in considering aggravators and that the sentence is not inappropriate.
Patent dispute between RV suppliers returns to court
A pair of suppliers to the recreational vehicle industry are headed back to court after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit revived the infringement claims made after a patented two-part seal was discovered on an RV in an Elkhart County, Indiana, factory.
Delinquent findings against twins affirmed under ‘new-crime’ rule
Two teenage brothers who each attacked police officers trying to conduct pat-down searches were properly found to be delinquent for their acts under the new-crime exception to the exclusionary rule, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
COA remands landlord-tenant dispute due to ‘informal’ proceedings
After concluding an Indiana trial court conducted a small claims landlord-tenant dispute too informally without considering testimony or evidence, the Indiana Court of Appeals has remanded the case for a “proper” evidentiary hearing.
Appellate court vacates battery conviction on double jeopardy grounds
Although a man’s battery of his ex-wife resulted in injury to two different people, the Indiana Court of Appeals has vacated one of the man’s battery convictions on double jeopardy grounds.
Supreme Court: Officers had probable cause to detain man
Grant County law enforcement officials had probable cause to believe a Chicago man was in possession of a narcotic drug when they detained him and transported him to a police station, the Indiana Supreme Court held Thursday in an opinion affirming the man’s felony drug conviction.
COA: Officer’s stop of car for expired plate ‘reasonable’
An Indianapolis police officer who initiated a traffic stop that led to the arrest of a passenger in the stopped vehicle did not violate the man’s constitutional rights, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, because the officer reasonably believed the vehicle had an expired license plate and registration.
Doctor must face civil trial in 2013 Lake County Jail death
A physician must face trial on a federal lawsuit alleging he was deliberately indifferent to the physical and mental illnesses of a man who died in 2013 after spending nearly four months in the Lake County Jail awaiting trial.
COA reverses summary judgment for aviation company
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed summary judgment for a Porter County aviation company after finding issues of fact exist as to whether the company breached its duty of care to a woman injured on its property.
7th Circuit correction: Make that ‘Indiana University’
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday corrected an opinion that twice errantly referred to the Hoosier institution of higher learning as “the University of Indiana.”
High court affirms restitution order in auto theft
The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed a restitution order of more than $5,000 against a woman convicted of stealing a vehicle, finding the trial court did not err in determining damage to the vehicle was caused by the theft and that the woman has or will have the ability to pay.
COA affirms life sentence for juvenile offender
After determining that a ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juvenile offenders does not apply in situations in which the juvenile offender agreed to life without parole as part of a plea agreement, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a life sentence for one of only four Indiana juveniles ever to receive that sentence.
Summary judgment affirmed for Dearborn County in suit over services for jail project
An Indiana trial court properly granted judgment in favor of Dearborn County on breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, finding there was no enforceable contract on which to base those claims.
West Lafayette shop prevails in Tax Court over proposed assessments
The Indiana Tax Court has found in favor of West Lafayette shop owners in their appeal of the Department of State Revenue’s proposed assessments against them, finding the proposed assessments should have been based on evidence presented during an administrative protest.
Tax Court denies exemptions to Plainfield lodge
A Hendricks County lodge that hosts both charitable and social events cannot qualify for tax exempt status because the organization that owns the lodge failed to prove it is a fraternal association or that the use of the lodge is for predominantly charitable purposes, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
COA affirms summary judgment for Keystone Construction on judicial estoppel grounds
A man who failed in his divorce agreement to claim an ownership interest in the Indianapolis company he worked for is now judicially estopped from asserting that interest in a lawsuit, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Convictions, sentence affirmed for father who had sexual relationship with teenage daughter
A Harrison County father convicted of having a sexual relationship with his teenage daughter will remain in prison for the rest of his 111-year sentence after the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed his 25 convictions and related sentence on Tuesday.
LGBT advocates praise ruling on changing gender marker
A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling that determined individuals seeking to legally change the gender markers on their birth certificates don’t have to publish notice of their intent to do so has LGBT rights advocates celebrating what they see as greater legal protection for transgender people.
Cubs win no-hitter in the 7th Circuit
Chicago Cubs fans could soon have fewer places to catch a Chicago Cubs game from a nearby rooftop.