Judge admonishes losing counsel in long-running litigation
A federal judge admonished a lawyer Wednesday whose clients were found to have abused the process in prosecuting a trademark infringement suit against a similar wine-and-art business.
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COA rules teachers may negotiate for ancillary duty compensation
A dispute between a school corporation and teachers association that made its way before the Indiana Court of Appeals led to the court concluding the teachers may qualify for overtime for performing school-related duties outside of their normal teaching hours.
Gang member’s sentence for bar fight reduced
The convictions of a gang member stemming from his role in a bar fight were upheld by the Court of Appeals Wednesday, but the judges ordered his sentence shortened because the convictions all occurred during a single episode of criminal conduct.
7th Circuit upholds new conviction, cannot address registration requirement
Although a judge communicated that a man must register as a sex offender based on the Sex Offender and Registration Notification Act, because that decision was not incorporated into the judge’s final ruling, there is nothing for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to review regarding his challenge to that part of his sentence.
Juvenile’s delinquent adjudication reversed based on illegal search
Because the physical evidence used to adjudicate a teen as delinquent was the direct result of an illegal search of his backpack by police, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed.
7th Circuit affirms dismissal of workplace discrimination suit
A Sudanese woman’s discrimination suit against a Jeffersonville shipyard where she had worked as a welder was properly dismissed, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Chavis to chair Marion Superior Executive Committee
Marion Superior Civil Division 12 Judge John M.T. Chavis II will chair the 2015-2016 term of the courts’ executive committee.
Denial by justices to take prosecutorial misconduct case draws dissent
Believing that the Indiana Supreme Court should have taken a case involving the “disturbing trend” of alleged prosecutorial misconduct, two justices dissented from their colleagues' decision to not accept the case.
‘Spice’ law void for vagueness, divided panels rule
Divided Court of Appeals panels found Indiana’s “spice” law void for vagueness in two separate cases Tuesday.
Disciplinary Actions – 1/28/15
Read who’s recently been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Kokomo sues state over proposed downtown baseball park
The city of Kokomo is suing the state over its opposition to a proposed downtown baseball stadium.
Plea deal reached in central Indiana animal cruelty case
A central Indiana couple charged with animal cruelty after 171 dead animals were found on their farm have pleaded guilty to four counts each of improper disposal of a dead animal.
Federal Bar Update: Southern District’s uniform protective order
Throughout 2014, a subcommittee of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana’s Local Rules Committee, including Magistrate Judges Denise LaRue and Debra McVicker Lynch, was hard at work on a proposed uniform protective order.
Attorney reaction spurs tweaks of pro bono reporting rule
During a January lunchtime meeting of the Elkhart City Bar Association, attorneys served a plateful of questions about the state’s new mandatory pro bono reporting rule and ladled on some skepticism.
Rush rolls out commercial court plan in State of Judiciary
Commercial courts heralded by Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush in her first State of the Judiciary address could be in business soon, with the first pilots launching as early as this summer, according to judges and lawyers involved in developing the plans.
Partial-termination dispute gets full treatment from court
After nearly 19 years and five appearances before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, a dispute over retirement benefits has ended where it began and elicited an admission of mistaken interpretation from the court.
Lack of evidence allows periodontists to leave office space
Having failed to produce sufficient evidence that the terms of a lease agreement had been waived, a landlord will have to allow a pair of tenants to vacate the property with no financial penalty.
Supreme Court permanently bans Muncie judge
A Muncie judge who was previously suspended for 13 counts of judicial misconduct and for using racial slurs recorded on video has been given a lifetime ban from serving on the bench.
7th Circuit affirms Michigan law applies to Visteon pollution claims
A federal court in Indianapolis properly dismissed a lawsuit Visteon Corp. filed against its insurer seeking to recover damages resulting from toxic pollution at its former Connersville plant that also contaminated neighboring properties.
Severely injured worker allowed to make case to jury
A man who sustained life-changing injuries from a workplace accident is entitled to have his day in court to present his claims to a jury, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled.