Gibson County sued over jail inmate’s death
The estate of an inmate who died in the Gibson County Jail last year has sued the county in federal court.
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Clarksville Town Court reports breach of classified files
A southern Indiana court says it has notified the FBI, local police and the Indiana Supreme Court about a data breach that has exposed personal information of people involved in cases dating from 2005 and earlier.
Indianapolis house blast trial delayed for mistrial motion
A northern Indiana judge has put the trial of a man accused of rigging a deadly 2012 Indianapolis house explosion on hold so attorneys can prepare arguments on whether he should grant a mistrial because of a miscalculation of a witness who has yet to testify.
Shepard to receive ABA John Marshall Award
Former Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, the longest-serving chief justice in Indiana, is the recipient of the 2015 John Marshall Award, named after the longest-serving chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Justices take fired principal, battery cases
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether an elementary school principal fired for having a consensual relationship with a teacher will be allowed to continue his breach of contract lawsuit. That case is one of two the justices accepted on transfer last week.
Inmate not disadvantaged by appearing at trial by video
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Monday that a New Jersey inmate who filed a retaliation lawsuit against officials at an Indiana prison while he was housed there was not disadvantaged when the judge denied his request to be transported to Indiana for the trial. The judge instead ordered he appear by video conferencing.
Public defender charged with sex offenses involving inmates
An Indianapolis attorney and ex-judge working as a Shelby County public defender has been charged with three counts of sexual misconduct and one count of official misconduct after he was accused of inappropriately touching inmates at the Shelbyville jail. Authorities said one instance was recorded on video.
Post-conviction relief unavailable for traffic infractions
A man ticketed for a traffic violation and speeding is not entitled to post-conviction relief or relief from judgment, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday. Post-conviction relief is only available when someone has committed a crime.
Teen’s arrest did not violate 4th Amendment
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a teen’s adjudication for carrying a handgun handed down after police arrested the occupants of the car he was riding in after smelling burnt marijuana during a traffic stop. The judges unanimously held the officers had probable cause to arrest the car’s occupants, including the teen.
US Supreme Court sides with inmate in excessive force case
The Supreme Court of the United States is making it easier for inmates who are accused of crimes — but not yet convicted — to bring cases of excessive force against jail officials.
SCOTUS strikes down raisin program as unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that a 66-year-old program that lets the government take raisins away from farmers to help reduce supply and boost market prices is unconstitutional.
High court rules against Spider-Man toy inventor
The inventor of a popular Spider-Man web-shooting toy can't keep reeling in royalties after his patent ran out, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday.
Crime victim funding up 500 percent; grant applications open
Funding for victims of crime will rise from $8 million last year to $40 million in 2015, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute announced Monday, opening the first of two cycles of applications for grant funding.
Justices suspend lawyer who defrauded seniors of $19M
An Indianapolis lawyer who pleaded guilty more than six months ago to four felony counts of securities fraud from a Hamilton County real estate Ponzi scheme was suspended from the practice of law Thursday.
Record supports capping trustee fees at 1.5 percent
A trial court did not err when it concluded that a community foundation which took over acting as trustee of a charitable trust will have its fees capped at 1.5 percent of the trust’s annual assets, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
COA orders corrected notification sent to BMV, suggests form update
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ordered a trial court to send a corrected notice to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that shows judgment was only entered on two of the four charges a man was convicted of related to his speeding in Brown County. The judges also suggested that the BMV update its form to avoid future confusion as shown in this case.
Homeowners association loses appeal of assessments
Finding that an Indianapolis homeowners association did not make any cognizable claims using the Form 133 appeal procedure to appeal assessments on its common area land, the Indiana Tax Court affirmed the dismissal of its petitions to correct error.
Judge tosses Angie’s List suit, but gives investors chance to refile
A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a class-action fraud lawsuit against Angie's List Inc., concluding plaintiffs failed to show that sharp cuts to membership fees the company rolled out in 2013 demonstrated the inaccuracy of executives' prior claims about its business model and caused the stock price to fall.
No error in granting variance for pet boarding facility
The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld the decision to grant a variance to a company seeking to build an upscale dog and cat boarding and day-care facility on the northwest side of Indianapolis. A hotel located next to the property objected, fearing noise from the animals would deter business.
Inmate’s failure to comply with ITCA dooms lawsuit
A Department of Correction inmate who sued several government employees after he was injured when he fell out of a pickup truck lost his appeal before the Indiana Court of Appeals Thursday.