Senior COA Judge Michael Barnes dies, leaving public service legacy
Senior Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Michael Barnes died Friday morning in South Bend, leaving a legacy of more than 40 years in public service.
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COA hears first virtual argument with minor technical hiccups
Although they appeared to be sitting side-by-side per usual, the three appellate judges hearing the Indiana Court of Appeals’ first-ever remote oral arguments on Thursday were certainly far apart.
Supreme Court reversal: Drug dealer didn’t knowingly waive right to appeal sentence
A man convicted of felony drug dealing will now be able to appeal his 12-year sentence after the Indiana Supreme Court on Friday determined his appellate waiver was not knowing and voluntary.
Trump counting on Supreme Court to block probes, lawsuits
President Donald Trump won at least a temporary reprieve from the Supreme Court earlier this week in keeping secret grand jury materials from the Russia investigation away from Democratic lawmakers. The president and his administration are counting on the justices for more help to stymie other investigations and lawsuits.
Lawsuit renews question about attorney general suspension
Four Marion County residents have filed a lawsuit in state court, challenging Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s ability to remain in office after having his law license suspended beginning May 18.
Southern District courthouses opening to additional selected individuals
Additional individuals will now be allowed to enter federal courthouses under specific circumstances, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has announced.
Patachou restaurants sue insurer over COVID-19 claim denials
The Patachou Inc. restaurant group has joined a growing list of companies locally and nationwide to sue its insurer over COVID-19-related claim denials.
COA partially reverses for security supervisor in police impersonation, defamation dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has partially reversed in favor of a man who claimed his former employers defamed him after he started his own company, leading to a criminal proceeding that resulted in his acquittal.
Purdue faces second student lawsuit seeking refunds due to COVID-19
Purdue University faces a second proposed class-action lawsuit filed by a student who says he and others are owed refunds for tuition and fees paid for in-person classes and activities that transitioned to remote education when campuses closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supreme Court blocks House from Mueller grand jury material
The Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily prevented the House of Representatives from obtaining secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
COA prepares for first-ever virtual argument
The Indiana Court of Appeals’ first remote argument is scheduled to take place Thursday, just one week after the Indiana Supreme Court took an unprecedented step by hearing oral arguments through videoconference.
Indiana appellate courts extend certain emergency relief through June 14
A joint order from the Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Court of Appeals extended emergency relief that was previously set to run through May 18. The extension comes as a result of the ongoing public health emergency posed by COVID-19.
COA affirms child-molesting convictions despite polygraph exam dispute
A Clay County man’s child molesting conviction was upheld on Wednesday despite his argument that the results from his polygraph test shouldn’t have been admitted as evidence.
Judges prefer Zoom for remote court hearings, survey says
Judges side with Zoom as their top choice of platforms for remote court hearings during the COVID-19 crisis, a National Judicial College survey found.
Former Indianapolis teachers union chief gets 16 months
The former president of the Indianapolis Education Association has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 from the union.
3-2 Supreme Court reverses, finds covered bridge arsonist insane
A man who confessed to burning down two Indiana covered bridges has had his guilty but mentally ill verdict reversed by a divided Indiana Supreme Court. The 3-2 majority cited unanimous expert opinion that the defendant is legally insane in overturning a jury’s conclusion.
COA affirms post-retirement survivor benefits for ex-military spouse
A Hamilton County woman is entitled to a post-retirement survivor benefit offered by her ex-husband’s military retirement program, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday.
Indiana Lawyer collects 6 statewide journalism awards
Journalists and artists for the Indiana Lawyer collected six statewide awards for work produced in 2019, the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists announced in results for the annual Best of Indiana journalism contest.
Reversal: No excusable neglect by insurer in car crash suit
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed in a car crash case after finding a party in the suit should not have been granted a motion to set aside based on excusable neglect.
Reversal: US citizenship not required to obtain a name change
Citizenship in the United States is not required in order to obtain a name change, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday, reversing a trial court and ruling for two transgender men.