Snarky former prosecutor no match for plan commission
A former prosecuting attorney who denied the truckloads of dirt dumped on his Boone County farm caused drainage problems got buried under a $519,400 fine.
Courts
Articles
Former head of Jared Foundation has court hearing
An Indiana man whose criminal case led to federal charges against former Subway pitchman Jared Fogle has appeared in court for an initial hearing on child exploitation charges.
COA upholds guest statute in auto injury case
An attempt to revive old constitutional arguments against Indiana’s guest statute failed to gain traction with the Indiana Court of Appeals.
COA reiterates Indiana has no private right of action in child abuse cases
Despite a mother’s assertion that she was actually filing a medical malpractice complaint, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled her complaint was a private right of action for failure to report child abuse, which is not recognized in Indiana.
Shoddy documents draws COA ire
After appearing to shrug off the need to authenticate documents, a company claiming to own the appellant’s credit card debt got a lesson in Indiana court rules and precedence.
Teenager loses privacy argument with mom
A common argument from teenagers that mom has no right to search their rooms created a case of first impression for the Indiana Court of Appeals. And the appellate court affirmed with the common response that in mom’s house, mom has access.
Change in tax law allows profitable retailer to receive refund
A ruling from the Indiana Tax Court has positioned a retailer who recorded a banner year in sales and growth in 2003 to get a tax refund from the state of Indiana.
Lawsuit: IMPD officers fatally shot unarmed man
The family of an Indianapolis man fatally shot by police sued the city and numerous other defendants Thursday in a civil rights lawsuit claiming he was unarmed, unjustifiably shot in the back, and the victim of a police cover-up.
IU Maurer, national law firm to offer unique educational program
From bachelor’s degree to J.D. to a job, Indiana University Maurer School of Law is providing a smooth transition for talented undergraduates interested in finance and the law.
Diocese appeals $403K award to former Fort Wayne teacher
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend has appealed a judgment of more than $403,000 to be paid to a former language arts teacher who was fired after seeking several in vitro fertilization treatments.
Ex-lawyer accused of bilking relatives pleads not guilty
A former Madison attorney accused of bilking relatives out of nearly $2 million has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Indiana Supreme Court affirms Kentucky lawyer not a Hoosier
A Kentucky attorney who never practiced north of the Ohio River got the Indiana Supreme Court to agree she was not a Hoosier.
7th Circuit: Marion County judge elections unconstitutional
The way Marion County judges are elected is unconstitutional, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, throwing out a system that assured an even split of Democratic and Republican judges and facilitated a pay-to-play party slating system.
Judge orders resentencing for Indiana teen in sex case
A judge in Niles, Michigan, has ordered resentencing for a 19-year-old from Indiana who had to register as a sex offender in two states because he had consensual sex with a 14-year-old Michigan girl he met online who lied about her age.
Child interviewer’s vouching testimony reverses molest convictions
A man convicted of three counts of Class A felony child molesting must be retried because the trial court erred by admitting testimony from a forensic interviewer who said there was no evidence the alleged victims had been coached.
Tax Court affirms assessments in exclusive addition
Arguments that land assessments in one of Allen County’s most exclusive residential additions should have been about one-third of the final valuation failed to persuade the Indiana Tax Court.
Supreme Court releases annual report
The Indiana Supreme Court has released its annual report covering the fiscal year July 1, 2014-July 1, 2015. The report may be viewed here.
COA resurrects lawsuit against Ford Motor Co.
Although an expert did run additional tests after the discovery deadline, the Indiana Court of Appeals found the wholesale exclusion of his testimony was too severe and is allowing a lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. to continue.
Defendant fails to convince 7th Circuit he did not know his returns were false
Describing the tax returns as “patently false and utterly groundless,” the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals kicked aside a defendant’s argument that he believed the government owed him $900,000.
7th Circuit: Marion County judicial elections unconstitutional
The way Marion County judges are elected is unconstitutional, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, throwing out a 40-year-old system that ensured an even split of Democratic and Republican judges and facilitated a pay-to-play party slating system.