COA affirms habitual offender enhancement
A habitual offender failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that an amended statute, which took effect July 1, 2014, should have been applied to enhance his dealing cocaine conviction.
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Law sending low-level offenders to counties raises questions
Indiana counties are expecting to see increases in their inmate populations under a new law that will send low-level offenders to county jails, work release or home detention instead of to prison, the South Bend Tribune reported Sunday.
Indiana Supreme Court weighs case on custody, mental illness
The Indiana Supreme Court is weighing an emotionally charged case in which a man lost custody of his daughter after spurning child-welfare officials’ suggestions that he leave his mentally ill wife based on their fears that she might harm the girl.
Despite rebuke, Court of Appeals tosses default judgment
A defendant who consistently failed to appear for scheduled hearings in small claims court gained a reprieve, but with an admonishment, from the Indiana Court of Appeals.
ICJI crime victim grant application process now open
Organizations that assist victims of crime now may apply for grants from a larger-than-ever pool of available money, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute announced.
Convenience stores win one, lose one in property assessment battle
In a pair of decisions, the Indiana Tax Court has upheld two rulings that found different valuations for the same property.
In 3-2 decision, justices reinstate molestation conviction
A 3-2 decision of the Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated a Class A felony child molestation conviction that the Court of Appeals reversed because the defendant was denied opportunities to admit evidence.
7th Circuit affirms ruling for Emmis in unpaid-dividend suit
A ruling in favor of Emmis Communications in a federal lawsuit brought by owners of preferred shares in the company was affirmed Thursday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
AG announces settlement in dollar store merger
Indiana has joined 16 states in a Federal Trade Commission settlement as Dollar Tree Inc. prepares to acquire rival deep-discount store chain Family Dollar Stores Inc.
7th Circuit rejects second challenge at ACA contraception mandate
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has again rejected a college’s argument against having to give notification that it does not want to provide coverage for contraceptives as required under the Affordable Care Act.
Firefighter allegedly targeted with noose sues ex-official
A black Marion firefighter whose wife belongs to the family of a lynching victim has filed a federal lawsuit against an assistant fire chief who allegedly tied a rope into a noose.
Key Indianapolis home blast witness tells of failed tries
An Indianapolis woman whose house exploded, killing two people, testified Wednesday during her former boyfriend’s trial in South Bend that he was determined to burn the home down for insurance money and became angry when the first two attempts failed.
Notebook found in car falls under Fourth Amendment exception
A notebook taken from a vehicle during an investigation of an identity-theft scheme was admissible at trial even though police did not have a search warrant, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Appeals court reverses denial of Fortville annexation
The town of Fortville’s effort to annex more than 600 acres was wrongly blocked by a trial court, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, sending the matter back for further proceedings.
7th Circuit slams lawyer, sets new law on fees
An Indianapolis attorney who appealed a class-action lawsuit seeking a share of his clients’ compensation on top of a statutory award of fees was called out by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which denied his appeal and affirmed the judgment of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
COA upholds attorney’s criminal trespass conviction
An attorney’s attempt to overturn his criminal trespass conviction by arguing the state statute is unconstitutional as applied to leased property was rejected by the Indiana Court of Appeals as failing to convince even a “person of ordinary intelligence."
Indiana federal wiretaps plunge in 2014
Wiretaps authorized by federal judges in Indiana fell by 70 percent in 2014, according to court statistics released Wednesday.
Kristine Bunch’s malicious prosecution suit stayed
A woman whose murder conviction was overturned after she spent 17 years in prison may proceed with a malicious prosecution lawsuit against fire officials she claims framed her, a federal judge ruled Monday.
Privilege defense splits Court of Appeals
A split Indiana Court of Appeals found the privilege granted to store owners and employees in making claims to police does have limits.
Use tax on out-of-state vehicle purchases upheld
A tree service properly paid Indiana use tax on its commercial vehicle purchases made outside the state, and imposition of those taxes did not violate the Commerce Clause, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Tuesday.