Strip club case heads to federal appeals court
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago will hear arguments on whether a northeastern Indiana city acted properly when it prevented a Fort Wayne couple from opening a strip club.
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Judge finds Marion County judicial election system unconstitutional
A federal judge in Indianapolis has ruled that the statute outlining how Marion Superior judges are elected is unconstitutional. Because a stay has been issued, the ruling will not impact next month’s election.
Judges uphold convictions for death of child at unlicensed home daycare
The state presented sufficient evidence that a Hamilton County woman operated a child care home under the law, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Thursday in affirming her convictions related to a death of a child while in her care.
School discipline summit highlights problem of suspensions and expulsions
Speaking to a group of Indiana educators, school administrators and legal professionals, retired Judge Irene Sullivan drew applause when she stated school suspensions and expulsions should be illegal under federal law.
Garage door company on hook for $21M jury award
A Plainfield garage door company has been ordered to pay $21.3 million in damages to an Indianapolis man who suffered permanent, disabling spinal injuries in 2006 due to a malfunctioning garage door.
Humvee maker wins $27.9M judgment against supplier
A supplier of armored doors for Humvees made for the military overcharged the manufacturer, a federal judge ruled Monday, awarding South Bend-based AM General LLC a $27.9 million judgment.
Justices vacate transfer in insurance policy lawsuit
The Indiana Supreme Court decided Tuesday that the Court of Appeals decision regarding an insurance policy sold by Settlers Life Insurance Co. should stand, so it vacated transfer of a case it took in August.
AT&T ‘mobile cramming’ settlement nets refunds for Hoosiers
A $105 million settlement reached Wednesday with AT&T Mobility LLC means that nearly half a million Indiana residents may be eligible for refunds for unauthorized charges on their cell phone bills.
Judge halts planned consolidation of Zionsville, Perry Township
A Boone County judge has ruled that Zionsville can’t absorb the operations of Perry Township even if voters OK a reorganization plan that’s already on next month’s ballot.
Evidence doesn’t show existence of family housing complex at time of crime
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a man’s Class A felony conviction for dealing cocaine within 1,000 feet of a family housing complex because the state didn’t prove the complex qualified as family housing under the law at the time of the offense.
ISBA members say ‘yes’ to retaining appellate judges
The four Indiana appellate judges up for retention next month have the approval of ISBA members, according to survey results released Tuesday by the organization. Members overwhelmingly voted that the judges should be retained.
US Supreme Court hears dispute over pay for security checks
Several Supreme Court justices seem disinclined to find that employers must pay workers for time spent waiting to go through anti-theft security checks at the end of their shifts.
Video shows officer using stun gun in traffic stop
A cellphone video released Tuesday shows police in Indiana breaking a car window then using a stun gun on a man after police stopped the driver for not wearing a seat belt. The video, recorded by the driver's 14-year-old son, captured a Sept. 24 confrontation between two adults in the car and police that's the basis of a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court against several officers and the city of Hammond.
Indiana county clerks told to allow gay marriages
The Indiana attorney general's office told county clerks across the state Tuesday that they must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Keeping death certification accessible is ‘victory for the public’
Both the Hoosier State Press Association and the Indiana attorney general are applauding the Indiana Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday that cause of death information is public.
Disciplinary Actions – 10/8/14
Read who’s been recently disciplined by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Unanimous Supreme Court holds death certificates are public records
Taking what it called a “plain reading” of the state statute, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled death certificates which include the cause of death are public records and should be available to anyone who requests access.
7th Circuit rules against insurer in jurisdiction dispute
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal court judgment in favor of an insurer after the insurer’s motion to intervene in a state court lawsuit on the same matter was denied. The federal court incorrectly determined the state court did not have jurisdiction over an injured worker’s lawsuit.
Mother loses custody after COA rules trial court had jurisdiction
A mother’s argument that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to grant full custody of her daughter to the girl’s father did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found an agreement between the parents gave the court jurisdiction.
Accomplice in jewelry store robbery loses sentence appeal
The 45-year sentence imposed on an accomplice in a jewelry store robbery was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals Tuesday, even though the crime to which he pleaded guilty is now punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years.