Indianapolis chief makes case for witness protection program
The Indianapolis police chief says a witness protection program is needed to help prosecute violent crime.
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COA: Doctor’s CHINS testimony falls within hearsay exception
Testimony from a physician which supported the state’s effort to adjudicate six minor siblings as children in need of services was allowed under the hearsay exception, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Threats enough for COA to uphold intimidation conviction
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a felony intimidation conviction against a man who threatened to cut his ex-girlfriend’s throat, finding evidence of the man’s subsequent bad acts was admissible.
Despite ‘tenuous’ 36-year charging delay, murder trial proceeds
While the Indiana Court of Appeals found the state’s reasons “tenuous at best” for a 36-year delay in charges against a Lake County man accused of the murder of a Hammond police officer, the appellate court on Wednesday ordered the trial to proceed.
Speedway attorney’s discipline added to indefinite suspension
A Speedway attorney with a lengthy disciplinary history has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for 90 days, a suspension that will run concurrently with the indefinite suspension he is already under.
Supreme Court takes RV dealer’s tax case
An Indiana case dealing with out-of-state tax issues will come before the Indiana Supreme Court after the justices unanimously granted review to a dispute between the Indiana Department of State Revenue and a Hoosier RV dealer.
Ex-DCS chief Bonaventura joins AG’s staff as special counsel
Former Indiana Department of Child Services Director Mary Beth Bonaventura will join the Indiana Attorney General’s Office as special counsel Monday, a move that comes less than a month after she resigned from her DCS post with a scathing resignation letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb.
COA reinstates fraud, bad faith suit against State Farm
A fraud suit against State Farm Insurance brought by one of its insured will continue in trial court after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday there were genuine issues of material fact precluding the grant of summary judgment to the insurer.
Workplace rights lawyers racing against shifting legal landscape
While employers across America paid a record amount in settlements for workplace violations last year, don’t expect it to be the beginning of a trend. Think of it more as the storm before the calm, as labor lawyers rush to lock in payouts ahead of a shifting legal landscape.
Child molester’s plea didn’t void right to appeal sentence
A man who pleaded guilty to child molestation was not wrongly denied post-conviction relief, but the trial court erred in ruling that he could not directly appeal his sentence imposed after the plea agreement, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Suit by female Ogletree shareholder alleges gender discrimination
Employment defense firm Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., which has a significant presence in Indianapolis, is accused of discriminating against female shareholders in a federal lawsuit seeking $300 million in damages on behalf of 100 non-equity women shareholders at the firm.
House to consider stricter definition of out-of-state Level 6 felony
A bill that would change how Indiana’s courts treat out-of-state felonies during sentencing will come before the full Indiana House of Representatives for a vote Tuesday.
Attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended an Indianapolis attorney from the practice of law after previously suspending him for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation.
Federal courts create workplace conduct committee
On the heels of a call from the U.S. Supreme Court to review the judiciary’s sexual harassment response policies, the U.S. Courts Administrative Office has established a working group to review the safeguards in place for protecting court employees from inappropriate workplace conduct.
Supreme Court to hear sales tax collection case
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to wade into the issue of sales tax collection on internet purchases in a case that could force consumers to pay more for certain purchases and allow states to recoup what they say is billions in lost revenue annually.
Landfill operator sues Clark and Floyd counties over bond money
The private operators of a Borden landfill are suing two counties, seeking $5.2 million in bond proceeds they say they’re owed.
Landfill operator sues 2 Indiana counties over bond money
The private operators of a southern Indiana landfill are suing two counties, seeking $5.2 million in bond proceeds they say they’re owed.
Statehouse rally set as push for hate crime legislation renewed
With two hate crime bills introduced in the Indiana Legislature this session, proponents are hoping the third time will be the charm for finally getting a measure to the governor’s desk. Advocates plan a rally at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
Convictions upheld in Imperial securities fraud scheme
An Indiana businessman convicted in a securities fraud scheme lost his federal appeal after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined there was sufficient evidence to prove he had at least some knowledge of the ongoing fraud.
Bill would allow whistleblower complaints against state
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, has filed a bill that would extend whistleblower protections to state employees who speak up about government misdeeds or fiscal malfeasance. The legislation is in response to a split decision from the Indiana Supreme Court, which found the state whistleblower statute did not include workers in the public sector.