Legal misfire: Is it a crime for minors to possess guns?
A 1990s Indiana law that raised penalties for juveniles who possess guns has backfired, limiting the charging options for law enforcement when children have firearms.
Courts
Articles
COA commitment for woman with anorexia seen as rare
In a move not typically seen, the Indiana Court of Appeals extended a Hoosier woman’s temporary involuntary commitment solely based on an eating disorder that doctors said was causing her severe malnutrition.
Trimble: New Year’s resolutions after a tumultuous 2020
Indianapolis lawyer John Trimble exhorts members of the legal profession to shake off the malaise and resolve to charge ahead into 2021 with the renewed vigor to get through the mountain of challenges and to do what we can to make things better.
Conseco settles life insurance class action for $27M
A nationwide class action against an Indiana insurer that alleged more than 3,600 policyholders were overcharged for premiums has been resolved through a $27 million settlement, plaintiffs’ attorneys said Friday. The settlement provides that each class member will receive at least $500, but most will receive $1,000 or more.
Conspiracy conviction vacated as double jeopardy in Muncie murder
Despite there being sufficient evidence to support a man’s conspiracy and murder convictions, the conspiracy conviction must be vacated on double jeopardy grounds, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
New Indiana case code tracking evictions as data shows impact of moratoriums
A new code in Indiana’s case numbering system is enabling the courts, state agencies and other entities to track and tally the petitions filed for evictions. But fresh data tracking trends nationwide shows evictions in Indiana are far surpassing numbers of other states being studied.
Tax Court remands valuation of Elkhart property
The Indiana Board of Tax Review must revisit its valuations of land owned by a northern Indiana manufacturer, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
On rehearing, appellate court reaffirms ruling against animal shelter
An Indianapolis animal shelter still must face a negligence lawsuit from a family whose daughter was mauled by an adopted dog after the Indiana Court of Appeals reaffirmed its reversal of summary judgment for the shelter on Wednesday. The appellate court granted rehearing for the limited purpose of clarifying the issues of fact that preclude summary judgment.
Mother’s voluntary termination of rights reversed for lack of advisement
A Henry County mother will get the opportunity to challenge the voluntary relinquishment of her parental rights after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that she was not given a proper advisement before signing a relinquishment form.
Rush scraps live State of the Judiciary, will offer video message due to COVID-19
The annual State of the Judiciary address will not be delivered in person to the Indiana General Assembly this year due to COVID-19, the Indiana Supreme Court has announced. Instead, Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush will submit a written report and video message.
Kidnapper who brutalized, ransomed woman gets convictions reduced but sentence stands
A man convicted in a violent kidnapping scheme successfully had two of his felony convictions overturned on double jeopardy grounds, though the Indiana Court of Appeals declined on Tuesday to find an abuse of discretion in the consecutive sentences he received.
Summary judgment for cemetery affirmed after parents’ fall
A couple injured while visiting their daughter’s grave will not be able to reinstate their negligence action against the cemetery where their daughter is interred after the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld summary judgment for the cemetery.
Supreme Court rejects fast track for Trump election cases
The United States Supreme Court formally refused Monday to put on a fast track multiple election challenges filed by President Donald Trump and his allies, including one filed by an Indianapolis law firm.
Sen. Young in video to Capitol protesters: ‘The law matters’
Indiana Republican Sen. Todd Young’s message to supporters of President Donald Trump last week on the steps of the Capitol that later was overrun was that while he understood their desire that Trump remain president, he was bound by duty under the law to vote for Joe Biden.
New county judges also presiding over former city, town courts
Former municipal court judges in Madison and Vigo counties who have been elected to their county trial court benches will continue to preside over their former dockets at least temporarily, the Indiana Supreme Court has ordered.
Judge blocks Holcomb appointment to St. Joseph Superior Court
A northern Indiana judge has issued an injunction prohibiting Gov. Eric Holcomb from appointing a new judge to the St. Joseph Superior Court while a lawsuit filed against the governor by a fellow Republican appointee to that county’s judicial nominating commission proceeds.
Despite tech, court reporters say they’re here to stay
Even as digital recording is grows, charged sentiment surrounds the use of artificial intelligence in court reporting, industry experts say. According to some, there’s a middle ground to be found: embracing technology to increase efficiency while also relying on humans for nuance.
Bloomington woman pleads guilty to climbing Mount Rushmore
An Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to climbing Mount Rushmore, a federal violation.
Woman denied higher starting salary ‘because’ husband had a job wins reversal in pay discrimination case
A Muncie teacher who sued her employer after being told that her starting salary didn’t need to be higher because her husband had a job has secured a reversal in her favor on her pay discrimination claims.
Fennell joins Taft as firm’s first pro bono director
Monica Fennell, a longtime leader in pro bono efforts in Indiana, has jumped to Taft Stettinius & Hollister, where she is now in charge of building a volunteer lawyer program across the law firm’s 11 offices.