Special prosecutor named in Indianapolis councilman’s molestation case
A special prosecutor has been appointed to oversee the case against an Indianapolis City-County councilman charged with three counts of child molestation.
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Indiana governor pledges ‘transparent’ DCS review
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb pledged in his State of the State address Tuesday night to conduct a “transparent” review of the Department of Child Services, but offered little more than platitudes about an agency that his critics say is enveloped in crisis. “I’ll state right now: There’s no one who cares more about Hoosier children than I do, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of our agency and its mission.”
Judge blocks Trump decision to end DACA immigration program
A federal judge on Tuesday night temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation. U.S. District Judge William Alsup granted a request by California and other plaintiffs to prevent President Donald Trump from ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program while their lawsuits play out in court.
Southern Indiana District Court nominee scheduled for hearing
James R. Sweeney II, the nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary tomorrow.
Nearly a dozen Indiana communities sue opioid industry in new flurry of suits
Nearly a dozen Indiana cities and counties have filed lawsuits in recent days against opioid makers and distributors, claiming the companies have flooded their communities with the addictive painkillers and engaged in deceptive marketing campaigns that helped lead to a growing crisis.
Sentence modification bill inspired by COA ruling
A recent Indiana Court of Appeals decision that prosecutors say went against longstanding practices in the sentence modification process has sparked a conversation in the Indiana legislature about courts’ discretion to modify sentences stemming from fixed-sentence plea agreements.
Church of Cannabis seeks sanctuary in RFRA; Hill asks court to rule for state
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has asked a court to rule in the state’s favor against what he calls “a small group of marijuana enthusiasts operating in Indianapolis under the name ‘First Church of Cannabis.’” An attorney for the church said he was thrilled at Hill’s response to its lawsuit on religious freedom grounds.
High court to hear case of teen who planned ‘Columbine-style’ attack
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a teenager who made violent threats against his school can be adjudicated as a delinquent for both attempted and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery after it hears oral arguments in the Jackson County case this week.
Appellate court affirms battery conviction, probation condition
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld a man’s battery conviction and probationary prohibition on possession of a firearm, finding the trial court did not err in the process of hearing testimony and imposing a sentence.
More Indiana communities sue drug companies over opioids
Several more Indiana communities have joined the growing list of governments suing pharmaceutical companies and distributors over their roles in the opioid abuse crisis.
At least 15-year sentence sought for ex-Lake County sheriff
Federal prosecutors are asking that the former sheriff of Indiana’s second most-populous county be sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from towing businesses.
Indiana Court Decisions — Dec. 19, 2017-Jan. 3, 2018
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Problems persist as director quits DCS
The departure of Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services surprised several family law attorneys and social service providers. Uniformly, they agreed the former Lake County juvenile judge was a strong advocate for children and brought valuable experience to her tenure. Still, the department has struggled against internal and external challenges.
Judge pro tem appointed for Vermillion Circuit Court
A senior judge will assume jurisdiction over the Vermillion Circuit Court when he steps in as judge pro tempore in April.
AG’s office files notice of appeal in immigration case
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office has filed a notice of appeal with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court judge struck down its motion to intervene in a federal immigration case that places additional requirements on local law enforcement detaining individuals for the federal government.
Allen County tax, annexation dispute to continue in trial court
A dispute between Allen County fire departments grounded in both annexation and tax law will continue before the Allen Superior Court after the Indiana Supreme Court denied transfer to an August decision giving the trial court jurisdiction to hear the case.
Fort Wayne man gets 8 years for not telling partners he has HIV
A Fort Wayne man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for not telling numerous sex partners that he’s HIV-positive.
COA upholds judgment in favor of Delaware County on insurance claim
A Delaware County public defender convicted on multiple drunk driving charges has lost his appeal of the grant of summary judgment in favor of the county after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled he failed to present evidence that would have required the county to pay for his accident-related medical bills.
Man gets 137 years for murder of woman stabbed 70 times
A judge has sentenced a Muncie man to 137 1/2 years in prison for the slaying of a woman whom prosecutors say was stabbed about 70 times while being robbed of prescription pain medicine.
Southern Indiana gets new prosecutor focused on violence
The U.S. Justice Department says the federal Southern District of Indiana will receive an additional assistant U.S. attorney to focus exclusively on violent crime.