Bankruptcy court enters three general orders
The Southern Indiana District Bankruptcy Court has adopted three new general orders that amend local rules, forms and fee schedules.
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Articles
COA rules woman cannot receive maintenance, attorney fees from ex-husband
A Boone county woman cannot recover attorney fees and maintenance from her ex-husband after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the postnuptial agreement they entered into 40 years ago waived her right to such recovery.
State pays $1.2M to settle suit over DCS search of vet’s office
The state of Indiana will pay an Indianapolis veterinarian $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit she filed claiming a Department of Child Services case manager conducted an illegal search of her office then posted a notice falsely informing her that her children had been removed from her home.
Indianapolis sues drug companies for opioid crisis
The city of Indianapolis is making good on its promise to sue some of the country’s largest opioid manufacturers and distributors and is seeking compensation for their role in the worsening opioid crisis that is “ravaging” the city.
Magnus-Stinson issues warning to parties filing frivolous motions
Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson has issued a stern warning to any defendants considering filing an affirmative defense of failure to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act – provide evidence to support that claim or abandon the defense entirely.
Justices to review who can waive rights of mentally ill
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether trial courts have authority to waive respondents’ rights to be present at their mental health commitment hearings after granting transfer to a case in which a man was not present for his commitment hearing.
Is gun maker liable? Court takes up Newtown shooting case
With both gun rights supporters and gun control advocates nationwide looking on, lawyers for Newtown families and gun maker Remington Arms are set to face off Tuesday before the Connecticut Supreme Court to argue whether the company should be held liable for the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.
Indiana Court Decisions
Read opinions from Indiana’s appellate courts for the most recent reporting period.
Mali custody case alleges violations of human rights
A recent ruling by an Indiana appellate court in a transcontinental custody dispute is raising questions in the Hoosier legal community about the authority United States courts have to question the legal practices of other nations.
‘Short novel, big impact’ for adoption attorney
Through her life experiences and career as an adoption attorney, Natalie Chavis gained insight into the legal and emotional effects of the foster care and adoption processes, insight that led her to self-publish her first novel, “Adopting Tiger.” Her upcoming book signing and fundraiser coincides with National Adoption Day.
Pilot project aims to short-circuit the CHINS process
With the help of a nearly $1 million grant, Child Advocates, Inc., is partnering with Indianapolis Legal Aid Society in a pilot project designed to sweep youths from the child in need of services process and get them into stable homes.
Robbery convictions upheld despite failure to swear potential jurors
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a man’s robbery-related convictions despite the district court’s initial failure to administer an oath of truthfulness to potential jurors, finding such an oath is not explicitly required.
Indianapolis judge being considered for drug czar
Marion Superior Judge William Nelson, whose stepson died of a drug overdose, confirmed Monday he is under consideration to be the nation’s drug czar.
Trump choosing white men as judges, highest rate in decades
President Donald Trump is nominating white men to America’s federal courts at a rate not seen in nearly 30 years, threatening to reverse a slow transformation toward a judiciary that reflects the nation’s diversity.
3 more counties moving to mandatory e-filing this month
Three more Indiana counties will move to mandatory electronic filing this month as the push for statewide e-filing continues.
COA to hear oral argument at DTCI annual meeting
Attorneys who attend this year’s annual meeting of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana will have the opportunity to sit in on oral arguments before the Indiana Court of Appeals when the court travels to French Lick for arguments this week.
National fund starting to help bail defendants out of jail
A national effort is launching that aims to help low-income defendants get out of jail by bailing them out as their criminal cases progress through the courts.
District court won’t enter judgment against Cuban government in sexual assault case
A district court judge has declined to enter default judgment against the Republic of Cuba on an Indiana woman’s claim against the foreign nation after finding members of the Cuban National Soccer Team were not acting within the scope of their employment for the country when they sexually assaulted her.
Topless woman’s complaint splits 7th Circuit
A Chicago woman’s decision to celebrate “Go Topless Day” by baring her breasts has cleaved the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals over whether she can now cloak herself in the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of speech.
Transgender inmate sues DOC for hormone therapy
A transgender inmate is suing the Indiana Department of Correction and is seeking a preliminary injunction that would require the department to provide hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria.