Rush again urges $1 million boost to civil legal aid
The Indiana Supreme Court made its case to the Legislature again this week for an additional $1 million in the state’s next biennial budget to support Hoosier civil legal aid.
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E-filing now available in Putnam, Miami counties
Electronic filing is now available in Putnam and Miami circuit and superior courts, leaving just four more counties to implement to e-filing.
Southern Indiana District Court to offer CLE on black history
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will celebrate Black History Month by welcoming Marcia M. Anderson, the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of Major General in the U.S. Army and an attorney who spent more than 25 years as the clerk of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
Venue transfer arguments face justices’ scrutiny
In back-to-back oral arguments, the Indiana Supreme Court considered whether to grant transfer in two medical malpractice cases seemingly in conflict with each other. The debate: whether Indiana Code § 23-0.5-4-12 is a validly enacted statute or a nullity under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Trial Rule 75(A)(4) regarding venue.
Divided 7th Circuit lifts injunction against Indiana fetal-tissue research ban
An Indianapolis judge’s ruling that blocked an Indiana law effectively banning stem cell research derived from aborted fetal tissue was reversed by a divided 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel Thursday. The 2-1 decision is a defeat for Indiana University researchers challenging the ban, and a dissenting judge questioned the state’s motivation and intent behind a law he said threatens IU research into potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders.
California governor signs moratorium on executions
The 737 inmates on the nation’s largest death row got a reprieve from California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday when he signed an executive order placing a moratorium on executions.
In 420-0 vote, House says Mueller report should be public
The United States House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution calling for any final report in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation to be made public, a symbolic action designed to pressure Attorney General William Barr into releasing as much information as possible when the probe is concluded.
Bank’s arbitration award reversed for abuse of discretion
A small claims court’s confirmation of an arbitration award to a bank after its ‘dilatory conduct’ was reversed Thursday by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found an abuse of discretion occurred in granting the bank relief several years after the case should have been dismissed with prejudice.
Relief petition filed after 15 years too late, COA says
A man seeking relief from his convictions was rejected when the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of his petition, finding he was too late after delaying his filing 15 years.
Justices grant transfer in three juvenile, young adult cases
The Indiana Supreme Court chose to grant transfer to three cases during the past week, including commitments to the Indiana Department of Corrections. The court also granted transfer and decided a case granting relief to a deported “Dreamer.”
‘Full House’ star to surrender in college admissions scandal
Fallout from a sweeping college admissions scandal swiftly spread Wednesday, with a Silicon Valley hedge fund replacing its leader and “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin expected to surrender and appear in court in Los Angeles.
Eastern Indiana farmer charged after dead cows found
An eastern Indiana farmer faces charges after 38 dead cows were found on his property in West College Corner in Union County.
Finalists named to fill vacant Lake County judgeship
For the third time in recent months, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will select a nominee to appoint as the newest Lake County Superior Court judge.
Opponents of proposed Carmel mosque lose zoning appeal
The Carmel zoning board’s approval of the construction of an Islamic community center was affirmed Tuesday as an appeals court determined opponents of the planned mosque failed to timely file the board’s record.
Bill allowing e-filing service passes House, Senate
Attorneys tired of filing services of notice by snail mail are closer to the option of doing so electronically, now that both bodies of the Indiana Legislature have approved a measure that would do so.
U.S. Supreme Court still reviewing Indiana’s abortion petition
The wait continues as Indiana’s petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a pair of controversial prohibitions on abortion has been redistributed among the nine justices for a seventh conference.
U.S. Courts report immigration cases soar, district court filings rise
Immigration prosecutions increased 37 percent last year while overall filings in federal district courts rose 7 percent, according to the United States Courts’ 2018 Annual Report and Court Statistics. The report released Tuesday also found that filings in federal courts of appeal declined 2 percent in 2018.
Fort Wayne woman pleads guilty in hammer attack on ex-husband
A northeastern Indiana woman accused of placing a plastic bag over her ex-husband’s head and beating him with a hammer is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to attempted murder.
1 case settled in Missouri duck boat sinking that killed 17
The company that owned a tourist boat that sank in a Missouri lake and killed 17 people has reached a settlement with relatives of two brothers who were among the victims.
Man wins right for jury trial to fight traffic ticket
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the denial of a man’s demand for a jury trial in his trial de novo after he was found guilty in a city court bench trial. The panel found he did not waive that right by formerly submitting to the bench trial.