Courts - The Indiana Lawyer

Indy TV station loses public records dispute against Hamilton Southeastern schools

March 10, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A Hamilton County school district fulfilled its public disclosure duties when it provided information about a suspended employee’s discipline and personnel history, even though the district did not provide specific personnel records, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled. The appellate court used its Wednesday decision to call on the Indiana General Assembly to provide more clarity in how public agencies should respond to public records requests.

SCOTUS rejects Indy lawyer’s Trump election lawsuit

March 9, 2021 | Dave Stafford

An Indianapolis law firm’s suit seeking to overturn the results of the Wisconsin election on behalf of former President Donald Trump was rejected Monday by the United States Supreme Court, putting an end to the challenge.

Justices vacate judge’s recent orders in case alleging law firm estate theft

March 8, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The Indiana Supreme Court on Friday vacated orders of a trial court judge in a case involving a former law firm’s alleged theft from an estate. The case brought by a Jasper County charity that claims it was defrauded of a bequest is proceeding before a new judge.

Plans curbing Indiana governor’s emergency power face doubts

March 8, 2021 | Associated Press

Indiana lawmakers have advanced bills that would curb a governor’s authority to impose emergency restrictions such as mask rules and business closures, although Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and a former state Supreme Court justice, among others, question whether those proposals written by members of Holcomb’s own party are allowed under the state Constitution.

Justices clear Knox County prosecutor in discipline case

March 5, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The elected prosecutor of Knox County in southwestern Indiana has been cleared of a charge of “offensive personality” in an attorney ethics case arising from his conduct in a police investigation of a former deputy prosecutor’s sexual relationship with a woman serving time on meth charges. It’s the second time in days that justices have cleared an elected prosecutor in a discipline case.

Barrett’s 1st opinion breaks informal SCOTUS precedent

March 5, 2021 | Associated Press

When Justice Amy Coney Barrett delivered her first Supreme Court majority opinion Thursday, ruling against an environmental group that had sought access to government records, it strayed from informal precedent that new justices’ first opinions be unanimous.

Admission rules updated in preparation for the UBE

March 2, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Starting with the July 2021 bar exam, Hoosier applicants who score just under the 264 needed to pass will have their tests automatically reviewed and will no longer have to submit a written request to have their answers reassessed.

Supreme Court skeptical about patent judge appointments

March 2, 2021 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court on Monday seemed likely to find that the judges who oversee patent disputes are not properly appointed, a case important to patent holders and inventors including major technology companies.

Supreme Court to weigh Puerto Rico access to US aid

March 2, 2021 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to decide whether it is unconstitutional to exclude people living in Puerto Rico from Supplemental Social Security Income.

Democratic voting bill would make biggest changes in decades

March 2, 2021 | Associated Press

As Congress begins debate this week on sweeping voting and ethics legislation, Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing: If signed into law, it would usher in the biggest overhaul of U.S. elections law in at least a generation.

IU McKinney dean Bravo reflects on past, looks to future during Black History Month presentation

March 1, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

Despite being forced into a virtual format due to coronavirus concerns, the Indiana Southern District Court’s annual Black History Month event was as strong as ever with a powerful presentation from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law dean Karen Bravo.

Supreme Court could put new limits on voting rights lawsuits

March 1, 2021 | Associated Press

Eight years after carving the heart out of a landmark voting rights law, the Supreme Court is looking at putting new limits on efforts to combat racial discrimination in voting.

High court tells Santa Clara it can’t bar in-person worship

March 1, 2021 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court is telling California’s Santa Clara County it can’t enforce a ban on indoor religious worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Justices split, let stand rulings against DOC over death penalty secrecy

February 26, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The Indiana Supreme Court has evenly split in a long-running dispute over disclosure of records concerning the state’s lethal injection drugs, clearing the way for disclosure of the records and the payment by the state of more than a half-million dollars in legal fees.

Louisville attorney’s Indiana suspension made indefinite

February 26, 2021 | IL Staff

A Louisville attorney’s suspension from practicing law in Indiana five months ago has been made indefinite due to his continuing noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation.

Justices clear Putnam County prosecutor in discipline case

February 26, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The Indiana Supreme Court has cleared the Putnam County prosecutor of alleged misconduct in an ethics case that accused him of failing to disclose a deal eliciting testimony from a reluctant witness who claimed he later was wrongly identified, placing him in danger behind bars as a “snitch.”

Bills for new judicial resources advance, but bid to cut Delaware Co. court draws ire

February 25, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A bill to add a court in Hamilton County and judicial officers elsewhere has passed the Indiana Senate, as has a measure to allow city and town courts to keep certain administrative fees. A measure to revoke a county court, however, is drawing pushback.

Goshen bankruptcy preparer pleads guilty to federal indictment

February 25, 2021 | IL Staff

A nonlawyer who prepared bankruptcy petitions for northern Indiana clients has pleaded guilty to two counts of subornation of perjury for falsely claiming in court filings that she was paid half the fee she actually charged clients.

Justices reverse, find for Bloomington in ex-IU frat house spat

February 23, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed lower court decisions against the city of Bloomington, upholding zoning orders requiring residents to vacate a fraternity house that Indiana University no longer recognized. Justices noted the ruling may apply in college and university towns throughout the state.

Appeals court upholds mom’s 40-year neglect sentence in toddler’s death

February 23, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The mother of a child whose boyfriend was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the 18-month-old’s death failed to show in her appeal that she was wrongly convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison for her role in the child’s brutalization and death.

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