Competency evaluation sought for mom in Amber Alert deaths
The attorney for an Indiana woman accused of smothering her two children after abducting them is seeking a competency evaluation for her.
Courts
Articles
Disciplinary Actions – 10/19/16
Read who the Indiana Supreme Court has recently suspended and who has resigned from the bar.
Another tool for courts, police to combat drug abuse
Through Recovery of Indiana, a behavioral health program aimed at reducing drug abuse rates across the state, the Front Door Opiate Reduction Initiative is launching in new locations in Indiana to give courts and law enforcement officers additional options besides jail time for drug offenders struggling with serious addictions.
Pence mum on continuing anti-Syrian refugee fight gubernatorial candidates reject
Gov. Mike Pence’s fight to keep Syrian refugees out of Indiana may continue — as his term is expiring, he hasn’t said whether he will appeal federal court rulings that his position is discriminatory. Nevertheless, the candidates vying to succeed him as governor oppose the stance he’s unsuccessfully fought for.
Marion County courts prepare for transition to e-filing this month
Marion County courts will begin e-filing Oct. 28, and before the end of the year, electronic filing will be mandatory. But that hasn’t stopped some people from asking those facilitating the change, “Are you actually going to do this?”
COA: Court should have given inmate more time to pay fee
The Indiana Court of Appeals decided Monday that the Bartholomew Circuit Court erred when it gave an inmate only 30 days to pay a court filing fee and subsequently dismissed the complaint the inmate had tried to file.
Noblesville city court judge dies at 74
Noblesville City Court Judge Gregory L. Caldwell died Thursday night after serving as judge for 24 years. He was 74.
Supreme Court takes oral arguments to Ball State
The justices of the Indiana Supreme Court will travel to Ball State University next week to hear oral arguments in a case involving a karate injury.
Indy jail wrongful-detention suit order appealed to 7th Circuit
A judge’s ruling denying class-action certification for a group of people held in the Marion County Jail, sometimes for days after posting bond, has been challenged at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Judge: Give Florida voters chance to fix vote-by-mail ballots
Calling the state's current law "illogical" and "bizarre," a federal judge late Sunday ordered the state of Florida to give thousands of voters a chance to make sure their vote-by-mail ballots are counted.
Dozens of judge nominees wait on Senate as time dwindles
Senate confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominees slowed to a halt this election year, a common political occurrence for the final months of divided government with a Democratic president and a Republican-controlled Senate. But more than 90 vacancies in the federal judiciary are taking a toll on judges, the courts and Americans seeking recourse.
Lawsuit against Penn State by ex-coach gets underway
A civil trial set to begin Monday in a courtroom in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, will determine if Penn State should pay for a claim it mistreated a former assistant coach who provided key evidence used to convict child molester Jerry Sandusky.
Ex-Lake Station mayor begins serving federal sentence
Former Lake Station mayor Keith Soderquist has begun serving a four-year federal prison term for public corruption.
Ginsburg: Sorry for criticizing Kaepernick anthem protest
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg apologized Friday for characterizing as "dumb and disrespectful" the national anthem protests by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and other athletes.
Stepfather’s molestation convictions affirmed
A former stepfather accused of molesting his 6-year-old stepdaughter on multiple occasions cannot have his convictions or sentenced reduced after the Indiana Court of Appeals found Friday that there was enough evidence to support his 32-year sentence.
COA upholds judgment against ex-husband accused of violating protective order
The Indiana Court of Appeals found Friday that an Allen County man must serve out his prison sentence after he knowingly violated the protective order his ex-wife had taken out against him and that he intentionally locked her out of a house that legally belonged to her.
COA: Man in bar fight can’t seek damages based on default
A Lake County man cannot seek damages against another man he was involved in a bar fight with after the Indiana Court of Appeals decided Friday that the plaintiff waited too long to bring up the defendant’s default in court.
Judge denies summary judgment for jailers accused of excessive force
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Terre Haute decision, denied a motion for summary judgment brought by four Terre Haute jail officers who have been accused of using excessive force against a former inmate.
Judge: Man incompetent to stand trial for killing officer
A man accused of fatally shooting an Indianapolis police officer two years ago has been found incompetent to stand trial.
Indiana prosecutor seeking life for mom in kids’ deaths
A prosecutor announced Thursday that he's seeking a sentence of life without parole for an Indiana woman accused of smothering her two children after abducting them, saying such a sanction was appropriate "given the gravity of this horrible crime."