3 finalists named for Allen County judicial position
The Allen Superior Court Judicial Nominating Commission announced Monday the three judicial officers are finalists to fill an upcoming vacancy due to Judge Charles F. Pratt’s pending retirement.
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7th Circuit vacates judgment for debt collector lack of jurisdiction
A woman who claimed “stress and confusion” as injuries after she was contacted by a debt collector without her permission could not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the company had violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Appellate panel reverses, reinstates grandson’s will contest
A will contest between a man’s daughter and his grandson will continue in Huntington Circuit Court after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court erred in granting summary judgment to the daughter.
In 3-2 split, justices deny woman’s self-defense claim in murder
An Indianapolis woman who was convicted of murder after her manslaughter plea was rejected when she claimed self-defense could not persuade a majority of the Indiana Supreme Court last week to hear her appeal.
Judge OKs 3rd-degree murder charge for ex-cop in George Floyd death
A judge on Thursday granted prosecutors’ request to add a third-degree murder charge against a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death, a move that offers jurors an additional option for conviction and finally resolves an issue that might have delayed his trial for months.
Ex-wife loses appeal in property, contempt dispute
A woman who sought to hold her ex-husband in contempt for failing to sell or refinance their family home has lost her appeal of the contempt denial, with the Indiana Court of Appeals noting the woman repeatedly “thwarted” the man’s attempts to comply with their dissolution agreement.
COA splits on whether email was contract between apartment owner, vendor
A settlement offer received via email between a former apartment owner and a service vendor was an enforceable contract, a majority of the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed. A dissenting judge, however, would reverse the order requiring the parties to be bound by the terms of a March 2016 email exchange.
Indy TV station loses public records dispute against Hamilton Southeastern schools
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.