COA wishing Vaidik ‘full and speedy recovery’
Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Cale Bradford issued a statement Friday, saying he spoke with his colleague Nancy Vaidik and the entire appellate court is keeping good thoughts for her recovery.
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Divided justices reverse suppression order in custodial interrogation dispute
A split Indiana Supreme Court has reversed the suppression of a man’s statements made during a police interrogation, finding that the limited curtailment of his freedom of movement wasn’t akin to formal arrest. But one justice dissented, arguing that the suspect’s language barrier could have kept him from knowing he was free to leave.
Majority justices uphold return of seized Land Rover that went to SCOTUS
After seven-plus years of litigation, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Marion man seeking the return of his seized white Land Rover. The majority justices concluded Thursday that Tyson Timbs met his high burden of showing that the harshness of his vehicle’s forfeiture was grossly disproportionate to the gravity of his underlying drug dealing offense and culpability for the vehicle’s misuse.
Vaidik recovering from injuries after accident
Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Nancy Vaidik is “steadily improving” after being hit by a falling tree branch while bicycling near the Indiana Dunes State Park on Sunday morning.
Starke Co. Magistrate Judge Calabrese certified for senior status
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified senior judge status for Starke Circuit Court Magistrate Judge Jeanene Calabrese.
Judges appointed to St. Joseph Superior, Terre Haute City Court benches
A St. Joseph County magistrate has been appointed to the St. Joseph Superior Court bench, the governor’s office announced this month. A judge has also been appointed to the Terre Haute City Court.
Judge rules in utility’s favor in deadly Evansville explosion
A judge has ruled in favor of a utility in a lawsuit filed over a 2017 natural gas explosion in southwestern Indiana that killed two women and injured three other people. A Vanderburgh County judge granted CenterPoint’s motion for summary judgment on Tuesday in the civil lawsuit.
Dudley, Molter, Welch named finalists for COA vacancy
Madison Circuit Court Judge Mark K. Dudley, Ice Miller partner Derek R. Molter and Marion Superior Judge Heather A. Welch have been selected as finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Indiana Court Decisions – May 20-June 2, 2021
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Pendleton inmate represents himself in lengthy court battle
An inmate at the Pendleton Correctional Facility represented himself against a former guard for use of excessive force in a legal battle that lasted for nearly six years before culminating in March in an in-person bench trial and an award of $35,000.
COA: Bailment applies in business arrangement gone bad
Despite the pro se defendant claiming he had never heard the word “bailment,” the Indiana Court of Appeals found he became the bailee when he threatened to shoot his friend and pseudo-tenant in a dispute that started with the purchase of a brand new motorcycle.
COA rules pharmacy board’s reach does not extend to expired licenses
Foreseeing the potential for corrupt pharmacists to avoid discipline by letting their licenses expire, the Indiana Board of Pharmacy argued it had the authority to revoke expired licenses, but the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled the board does not have the power under state statute to pull a lapsed license.
US fights ruling to extend SSI benefits to Puerto Rico
The federal government filed a brief late Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing Congress has the authority to withhold Supplemental Security Income benefits from U.S. citizens depending on where they live even as President Joe Biden promised to extend those benefits to Puerto Rico.
Supreme Court rules against immigrants with temporary status
A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that thousands of people living in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons are ineligible to apply to become permanent residents.
Supreme Court agrees to hear 2nd ‘state secrets’ case
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide whether a lawsuit can go forward in which a group of Muslim residents of California allege the FBI targeted them for surveillance because of their religion.
High court won’t review men-only draft registration law
The Supreme Court said Monday that for now it’ll be up to Congress, not the court, to decide whether to change the requirement that only men must register for the draft. It’s one of the few areas of federal law where men and women are still treated differently.
Judicial appointments made to Marshall, Wayne County courts
Two prosecutors have been tapped by Gov. Eric Holcomb to fill a pair of judicial vacancies including one to the brand-new court in Marshall County.
Twin Aire waits to see what Community Justice Campus will bring
Indianapolis broke ground on its nearly $600 million law enforcement and judiciary hub nearly three years ago. Now, seven months before the bulk of the Community Justice Campus opens in the Twin Aire neighborhood southeast of downtown, residents are waiting to see if the promise of accompanying redevelopment comes to pass.
High court asked to review men-only draft registration law
The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether it’s sex discrimination for the government to require only men to register for the draft when they turn 18.
Supreme Court limits prosecutors’ use of anti-hacking law
The Supreme Court on Thursday limited prosecutors’ ability to use an anti-hacking law to charge people with computer crimes.