Split Supreme Court reinstates convictions based on invited error
Finding no fundamental error, a split Indiana Supreme Court has reinstated a man’s multiple convictions that resulted in a nearly 50-year sentence.
Court opinions
Articles
COA upholds involuntary mental health commitment
A man who challenged his involuntary mental health commitment after he had already been released failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that he shouldn’t have been held against his will.
SCOTUS limits 2020 ruling on tribal lands in Oklahoma
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that Oklahoma can prosecute non-Native Americans for crimes committed on tribal land when the victim is Native American.
SCOTUS justices say vet who lost job as Texas trooper can sue state
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a former state trooper to sue Texas over his claim that he was forced out of his job when he returned from Army service in Iraq.
Dueling protests show deep divide over Dobbs ruling
The dueling rallies on the Indiana Statehouse lawn one day after the U.S. Supreme Court issued the ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade provided a glimpse into the divide over abortion as well as starkly differing views of what a post-Roe America will be like. On one issue both sides seemed to agree: The Indiana General Assembly will soon be enacting more restrictions, if not a total ban, on abortion.
Judge’s comment doesn’t require reversal of 15-year sentencing enhancement, COA rules
Despite a judge’s comment that a defendant “dodged a bullet” in avoiding a murder conviction, the St. Joseph County man cannot avoid a 15-year sentencing enhancement on his conviction of reckless homicide with the use of a firearm, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has concluded.
COA: Volunteered evidence shouldn’t be suppressed despite officer’s Miranda violation
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed an order to suppress drug evidence found after a Miranda violation, finding state and federal constitutions don’t require suppression of the physical fruits of evidence obtained through the violation after the suspect volunteered the information.
U.S. Supreme Court sides with coach who sought to pray after game
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with a football coach from Washington state who sought to kneel and pray on the field after games.
U.S. Supreme Court rules for inmates seeking reduced prison terms
The U.S. Supreme Court made it easier Monday for certain prison inmates to seek shorter sentences under a bipartisan 2018 federal law aimed at reducing racial disparities in prison terms for cocaine crimes.
Roe ruling shows complex relationship between court, public
The Supreme Court ruling to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is unpopular with a majority of Americans — but did that matter?
Opinions June 24, 2022
Court of Appeals of Indiana
Chasity M. Becklehimer v. State of Indiana
21A-CR-1646
Criminal. Reverses Chasity Becklehimer’s conviction and sentence for Level 6 felony neglect of a dependent. Finds insufficient evidence to sustain Becklehimer’s conviction.
7th Circuit modifies restitution, forfeiture for fraudster
An Indiana tire store manager who defrauded his company out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has been granted some financial relief but will not get the new trial he’d hoped for.
COA reverses mother’s neglect conviction after 13-year-old was left alone for weekend
A mother convicted of neglect of a dependent after she left her son home alone for the weekend did not actually commit that crime, the Court of Appeals of Indiana ruled in a Friday reversal.
Indiana Legislature to address abortion laws during July 6 special session; Political leaders react to Dobbs ruling
With Roe v. Wade overturned, Indiana’s Republican supermajority General Assembly plans to address the state’s abortion laws during a July 6 special session.
Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion
The U.S. Supreme Court has ended the nation’s constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday’s outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
After Supreme Court gun decision, what’s next?
The U.S. Supreme Court has issued its biggest gun rights ruling in more than a decade. Here are some questions and answers about what the Thursday decision does and does not do.
Inmate sanctioned by COA for continued filing of frivolous lawsuits
Fed up with the increasing burden an Indiana inmate has placed on the courts with frivolous lawsuits, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has instructed trial courts to not put up with the prisoner’s misconduct any longer.
Opinions June 23, 2022
Indiana Supreme Court
Steven Church v. State of Indiana
22S-CR-201
Criminal. Affirms the Marion Superior Court’s denial of Steven Church’s petition pursuant to Indiana Code § 35-40-5-11.5 to obtain a deposition of his alleged child sex abuse victim. Finds the statute is not being retroactively applied to Church and is not a procedural statute that conflicts with Indiana Trial Rules. Also finds the statute is substantive because it predominantly furthers the legitimate public policy objectives within the General Assembly’s exclusive purview. Finally, finds the statute does not violate Church’s constitutional rights under the Indiana or United States constitutions. Justice Christopher Goff concurs in part and in the judgment with separate opinion.
Indiana justices reverse ruling permitting deposition of child sex abuse victims
The Indiana Supreme Court has swiped at a Court of Appeals of Indiana ruling that allowed a defendant accused of child sex crimes to take the deposition of his accuser, concluding that a disputed state statute preventing such depositions does not conflict with the Indiana Trial Rules.
COA reverses new trial order, reinstates jury verdict against YMCA in personal injury case
The Court of Appeals of Indiana has reversed the grant of a new trial in a personal injury case involving a local YMCA and has reinstated a jury verdict against the YMCA after it determined the trial court abused its discretion.