DCS ‘became the abusers’
A jury has awarded $31.3 million in an "arbitrary and capricious" case against parents in their child's death.
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Experts say free speech at stake in ‘American Sniper’ appeal
Legal experts say important free speech issues will be at stake when an appeals court considers whether former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is entitled to the $1.8 million judgment he won against the estate of "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle.
SCOTUS won’t reinstate $250K award in police shooting
The Supreme Court of the United States will not reinstate a $250,000 award to the father of a suspected marijuana user in Maryland who was killed by police in a middle-of the-night raid.
$450,000 in court reform grants awarded
The Indiana Supreme Court Monday announced $450,000 in court reform grants awarded to 15 counties, five pro bono districts, and one committee. The grants will help courts better manage an increasing caseload of unrepresented or pro se litigants and improve delivery of court services to litigants not proficient in English.
Appeals court reinstates South Bend police wrongful death suit
A wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of a man who died in the custody of South Bend police was reinstated Friday by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
City billboard suit spooks Montage on Mass developers
A controversial piece of the proposed $50 million Montage on Mass mixed-use apartment project won’t be considered by the city of Indianapolis until after the first of the year.
Trial court erred in ordering harassing neighbor’s firearms seized
A trial court erred in ordering firearms seized and in placing other restrictions on a man the court properly determined had committed stalking against his neighbor, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Justices affirm attorney fees award in domestic arbitration
A trial court ruling ordering an ex-husband to pay his ex-wife’s legal fees in a divorce settled under the Family Law Arbitration Act was affirmed Friday by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Attorney reprimanded for ex parte communication
A Tippecanoe County attorney has received a private reprimand after the Indiana Supreme Court concluded she violated Professional Conduct Rule 3.5(b) when an emergency petition for a temporary guardian appointment was presented to the judge before notice was presented to the parents.
Appeals court weighing lawsuit filed by ex-IPFW chancellor
An attorney for the former top administrator of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne pressed arguments that a businessman defamed him in a letter shortly before he was forced to retire.
COA reverses finding attorney entitled to malpractice coverage
A trial court improperly concluded that an Auburn, Indiana, attorney did not make a material representation in his application for renewal of malpractice insurance, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Thursday in reversing summary judgment in favor of the attorney.
Ruling in favor of doctors in med mal case upheld
The trial court properly tendered a jury instruction in a medical malpractice case that advised the jury that physicians are not liable for an error in diagnosis or treatment when exercising reasonable care, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Thursday.
Inmate loses request for Xbox, other privileges
The Department of Correction has a rational reason for limiting which inmates qualify to be housed in a “Honor Unit,” in which they have access to video games and weights, the Indiana Court of Appeals held in affirming summary judgment for the DOC on an inmate’s lawsuit.
Hastert attorney says former speaker intends to plead guilty
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert intends to plead guilty in a multimillion-dollar hush-money case linked to allegations of sexual misconduct from decades ago, a defense attorney told a federal judge Thursday.
COA affirms attorney fee order
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the decision by a trial court that in order for proceedings supplemental to be withdrawn without prejudice, the moving party must pay attorney fees as ordered by the lower court.
Mediator appointed to Marion Superior Court
An Indianapolis mediator has been selected by Gov. Mike Pence to fill the vacancy in Marion Superior Court created when Judge Robert Altice Jr. was appointed to the Indiana Court of Appeals in July.
Judge hears lawsuit challenging Indiana ballot photos law
A federal judge seemed critical of a new Indiana law that prohibits voters from taking photos of their election ballots and sharing the images on social media during a hearing on a lawsuit challenging the law.
COA modifies punitive damages award
The statutory cap on punitive damages should be based on the amount of compensatory damages awarded in the action in which the party seeks punitive damages, the Indiana Court of Appeals held, and not based on the total compensatory damages awarded in the action on all claims.
Court split over actual notice of defendant’s incarceration
Although “not a fan” of discharges pursuant to Criminal Rule 4(C), an Indiana Court of Appeals judge believes a defendant’s case needs re-examined by the trial court to see if he is entitled to discharge.
COA outlines approach to awarding attorney fees in estate challenges
In a case in which the trial court awarded a woman and her children more than $170,000 in attorney fees even though two of the three claims raised were without just cause or good faith, the Indiana Court of Appeals specified the approach judges should follow when a party seeks attorney fees pursuant to I.C. 29-1-10-14.