Judge dismisses sludge lawsuit against Terre Haute
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleged the city of Terre Haute and its officials defaulted on an agreement to take out water from waste and use the sludge to make fuel.
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Teen courts across northwest Indiana dole out justice
The Teen Court program in Lake County, along with others in northwest Indiana, gives teens an alternative to the traditional trajectory of juvenile justice. The program uses a novel approach in which a jury of teens decides the punishment for peers who are diverted from the juvenile justice system.
Indiana Supreme Court establishes new committee for civil legal aid
In an amendment to the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, the Indiana Supreme Court is revamping its response to civil legal aid.
2 at IPS accused of not reporting sex abuse get diversion
Two Indianapolis Public Schools officials charged with not immediately notifying authorities of sexual abuse allegations against a former counselor have agreed to enter pretrial diversion programs.
7th Circuit: Man not eligible for sentence reduction
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a prisoner is not subject to a sentencing reduction after it ruled an amendment that decreased the recommended penalties for the crimes he committed did not allow for a reduction.
Insurer who paid wrong party doesn’t have to pay correct one
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for an insurance company that acknowledged paying a death benefit to the wrong party but successfully argued that the proper recipient waived its right to the proceeds by allowing the wrong party to claim the money.
COA: Evidence obtained during welfare check is admissible
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled evidence from a search where police officers went into a house without a warrant to check on the children was valid evidence at trial and affirmed denial of a woman’s motion to suppress.
Disciplinary Actions – 5/18/2016
Read who resigned and who the Indiana Supreme Court recently suspended.
Rucker likely to leave Supreme Court in 2017
Justice Robert Rucker, a Gary native appointed to the court by Democratic Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 1999, will turn 70 in January. Rucker informally has informed lawyers and judges he intends to retire from the court sometime next year in order to begin a dialog among those who may consider serving on the court.
Statewide crisis of CHINS stretches judicial resources
The increase in filings of juvenile children in need of services petitions across the state has been growing steadily since 2011 but ballooned to 14,227 in 2014 and could likely top 17,500 for 2015.
Slaughter moves from arguing high-profile cases to judging them
New Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter brings an impressive resume and a wealth of experience, but he acknowledges a couple of learning curves ahead.
Surgery centers sue No.1 insurer UnitedHealthcare
Several Indiana surgery centers are suing the nation’s largest health insurance company, claiming it violated state and federal law by failing to pay for services the centers’ doctors provided to patients. In a similar lawsuit against the insurer, a key dispute is what the word “pay” means.
Donnelly, Coats pleased nomination hearing set for Ong
Indiana Senators Joe Donnelly and Dan Coats are applauding the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s decision to consider the nomination of Hoosier Winfield D. Ong for the federal bench.
Appraiser has no duty of care to real estate seller
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled an appraiser has no duty of care to a seller after he appraised a house for much less than the proposed purchase price. The COA upheld summary judgment for the appraiser in a case where the seller alleged negligence, fraud and slander of title.
Justices deadlock 2-2 on transfer in two cases
The Indiana Supreme Court deadlocked on one case after oral arguments and denied transfer to another after a 2-2 vote in the court’s list of transfer dispositions for the week ending May 13. The split vote in the absence of a fifth justice reinstates rulings of the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Justices give win to Internet site in false data case
The Supreme Court says an Internet search site that posted false information about people can be sued only if the errors caused actual harm.
High court sides with Ohio in debt collection dispute
A unanimous Supreme Court says a pair of Ohio law firms did not use illegal tactics when they sent out debt-collection letters on stationery bearing the name of the state attorney general.
Supreme Court avoids major ruling in birth control dispute
The Supreme Court rid itself Monday of a knotty dispute between faith-based groups and the Obama administration over birth control. The court asked lower courts to take another look at the issue in a search for a compromise.
Vanderburgh work release program takes on new direction
Since July 2015 the Vanderburgh County work release program has undergone a metamorphosis under a cooperative agreement between the sheriff’s office and the county’s treatment courts. That is when Superior Judge Wayne Trockman and Circuit Court Judge David Kiely took over daily operations and rechristened it Therapeutic Work Release to reflect its new focus on rehabilitation.
NCAA asks US Supreme Court to hear O’Bannon case
The NCAA is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the so-called O’Bannon case that successfully challenged the association's use of names, images and likenesses of college athletes without compensation.