Supreme Court sides with Chicago museum in terror case
The Supreme Court is preventing survivors of a 1997 terrorist attack from seizing Persian artifacts at a Chicago museum to help pay a $71.5 million default judgment against Iran.
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Dodd-Frank whistleblower protection narrow, justices rule
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that whistleblower protections passed by Congress after the 2008 financial crisis only apply to people who report problems to the government, not more broadly.
17 Marion County judges begin new retention process, 3 opt to retire
Marion County will start its new judicial selection process next month with the interviews of 17 judges who want to stand for retention in the November 2018 elections. Three other judges — Democrats Thomas Carroll and Rebekah Pierson-Treacy and Republican Michael Keele — have decided to retire at the end of this year.
Senate committee approves bill allowing e-signatures on probate documents
The electronic signing of estate planning documents is one step closer to becoming legal under Indiana law after a Senate committee passed e-signing legislation on Wednesday. The measure passed the House last month.
COA strikes fee collection statute drafted to benefit Bloomington, West Lafayette
A fee collection statute the city of Hammond alleged was enacted for the benefit of only two Indiana cities must be struck from Indiana law after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Monday the statute violated special legislation restrictions in the Indiana Constitution.
COA upholds denial of alcohol license to strip club
An Indianapolis strip club will no longer be able to serve alcohol after the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the denial of the renewal of the club’s alcohol license, finding the premises had become a public nuisance.
Special counsel files new charge in Russia probe
The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election charged an attorney Tuesday with lying to federal investigators about his interactions with a former Trump campaign official.
Slower pace follows flurry of same-sex marriage decisions
From the filing of the first complaint in 2014 to an appellate court decision, Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage was overturned in a little less than seven months. Subsequent cases regarding rights and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender individuals have slowed considerably.
Study: Legal needs rise despite available aid
Despite a continued need for legal representation, few Americans hire attorneys. Legal aid experts said there are two questions the legal community should consider: what’s keeping people, particularly those from low-income communities, from hiring legal help; and how can the profession reverse the trend?
Texas attorney reinstated to Indiana bar
A Texas-based attorney who was reciprocally suspended in Indiana has been reinstated to the practice of law in the Hoosier state.
COA traveling in Marion, Knox counties for arguments this week
Two Indiana appellate panels will leave the Statehouse courtroom this week to hear arguments across the state.
Divided COA reverses CHINS finding
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a finding that a Marion County child was a child in need of services, with most of the appellate panel finding insufficient evidence to support the determination. The dissenting judge, however, urged caution in the face of a potentially dangerous situation.
Bookkeeper pleads guilty to defrauding employer of over $315,000
An Indianapolis woman has agreed to plead guilty to fraud in what prosecutors say was a scheme that over two years nearly bankrupted her employer. The plea was announced Friday by U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler of the Southern District of Indiana, who said Erica Howard, 30, siphoned funds from a family-owned construction company in Franklin.
Gorsuch deciding vote in key labor union funding case
America’s union leaders are about to find out if they were right to fiercely oppose Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court as a pivotal, potentially devastating vote against organized labor.
High court asked to iron out polling place clothing dispute
Like a number of states, Minnesota bars voters from wearing political items to the polls to reduce the potential for confrontations or voter intimidation. But that could change. The Supreme Court on Feb. 28 will consider a challenge to the state’s law, in a case that could affect other states, too.
Kremlin dismisses US election indictment as lacking evidence
The Kremlin has dismissed a U.S. indictment that charged 13 Russians with interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election as lacking evidence.
Former sheriff’s deputy gets 3 years for child seduction
A former sheriff’s deputy in southern Indiana has been sentenced to three years in prison on a child seduction charge.
7th Circuit hears challenge to ‘discriminatory’ abortion ban
A challenge to Indiana’s oft-disputed abortion laws went before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, with the state and ACLU of Indiana once again squaring off on what limits, if any, the state can place on a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy.
Supreme Court upholds conviction against woman who violated pastor’s protective order
A Greene County woman convicted of violating a protective order obtained by her former pastor has lost her appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court, which found sufficient evidence to support her third invasion of privacy conviction on Friday.
13 Russians charged in Mueller investigation
Thirteen Russians and three Russian entities were charged Friday with an elaborate plot to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, federal prosecutors announced Friday.