Appeals court looks at revised law on sex-offense status
The Indiana Court of Appeals remanded a case today with instructions to re-examine a case about a man’s disputed classification as a sexually violent predator.
Court opinions
Articles
Landlord not responsible for dog bite
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment today for a landlord who was sued by a postal carrier who was bit by a tenant’s dog that had escaped from the property. The judges declined to find that by entering into a lease, a landlord establishes a relationship to a tenant’s dog.
7th Circuit rules on attorney fee issues in brownfield case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has mostly upheld an Indiana federal judge who’d ruled on the litigation costs and
attorney fees involved in a Shell gas station brownfield case.
Circuit Court split on rehearing judicial canons case
Indiana’s two federal appeals judges disagree about whether the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals should reconsider
a Wisconsin case about the judicial code of conduct in that state, paving the way for a further battle before the nation’s
highest court that could influence Indiana’s judicial canons.
COA: variance for residential wind turbine allowed
The Court of Appeals today affirmed a decision from the Warrick Superior Court that found the Board of Zoning Appeals of the
Area Plan Commission of Warrick County was right in allowing a 20-foot variance for the construction of a residential wind
turbine.
High court remands Medicaid case to lower court
The Indiana Supreme Court ordered a Marion Superior Court to let Medicaid recipients involved in a decades-long lawsuit present
evidence to demonstrate the transportation they may be entitled to by law and if they have been or will be denied services
because of lower pay rates to Medicaid transportation providers.
Appellate courts address estate tax, trust division regarding adoptions
As adoptions have become more common and more accepted for expanding the family tree, courts have had to address some legal matters clarifying those familial ties.
7th Circuit upholds Indiana’s judicial canons
At a time when the legal community is caught up in controversies about how judges are selected and whether they can remain
impartial, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on that national debate and ruled that states have the authority
to self-regulate on those issues as it relates to judicial canons.
Judges rule man’s right to speedy trial was violated
The state had an affirmative duty to pursue prosecution of a defendant under his right to a speedy trial, the Indiana Court
of Appeals ruled today. The appellate court also disapproved of the state’s blanket policy to not attempt to secure
the attendance of an accused incarcerated person in a foreign jurisdiction until he has finished serving his sentence there.
Child must show she is born out of wedlock to inherit
Ruling on the issue for the first time, the Indiana Court of Appeals held that the plain language of Indiana Code Section
29-1-2-7 requires a child to show she is born out of wedlock for inheritance purposes.
7th Circuit reverses lower court on stun-belt issue
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a District judge’s decision that a man convicted of murder received ineffective
assistance of counsel during his trial because his attorney didn’t object to the state making him wear a stun belt in
court.
7th Circuit affirms sentences for bank robbing couple
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions and sentences of a boyfriend and girlfriend on bank robbery convictions,
finding the boyfriend waived his appeal of his sentence and the jury instructions were correct in the girlfriend’s trial.
Look-alike offense counts as controlled-substance offense in sentencing
A previous conviction for a “look-alike” offense constitutes a controlled-substance offense for sentencing purposes,
the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the first time Tuesday.
Court rules on first impression FLSA issue
In denying summary judgment for either party in a dispute involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. District judge
noted the issue appears to be one of first impression in the 7th Circuit.
COA upholds denial of motion to suppress
The Indiana Court of Appeals rejected a man’s argument that the state’s courts should recognize a privacy interest
in the subscriber information of an Internet service provider.
Court OKs class certification in Conseco securities-fraud case
In a securities-fraud case involving the Carmel-based financial and life insurance services company Conseco, a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has refused to significantly alter the class certification rules and throw out the long-established fraud-on-the-market doctrine.
COA addresses inverse condemnation issues
Inverse condemnation was the issue of the day for two Indiana Court of Appeals panels, with one case raising issues regarding
fraudulent concealment and the statute of limitations.
COA: attorney’s statement binding
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed partial summary judgment for Noble Roman’s Inc. in-store franchisees’ claim
for constructive fraud because the franchisees’ then-attorney admitted that they were only pleading actual fraud against
the company and that admission is binding.
Federal identity theft statute includes use of deceased’s identity
A person can be convicted of aggravated identity theft under 18 U.S.C. Section 1028A for using the identity of a person who
is dead or alive, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in an issue of first impression.
Court upholds judgment in legal malpractice suit
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of an attorney and law firm in a legal malpractice suit, although
the judges didn’t agree on the professional obligations of the firm based on its contract.