Bell/Gaerte: SCOTUS guides trial courts’ involvement in plea offers
In the last term, the United States Supreme Court, in Missouri v. Frye, 132 S. Ct. 1399 (2012), took a small step toward inviting trial courts into plea negotiations.
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Settlement reached in Weinberger medical malpractice suits
Victims split $55 million, but some cases continue for former fugitive Merrillville ‘Nose Doctor.’
SCOTUS decides high-profile cases in term’s final weeks
The Supreme Court of the United States issued the final decisions of the 2012 term June 26. In addition to the Vance v. Ball State University ruling on the definition of “supervisor,” several of the decisions handed down during waning days of the term promise to have far-reaching impact.
Orzeske: How to stay in good standing with your CLE requirements
The Commission for Continuing Legal Education encourages attorneys to be active in obtaining education and maintaining correct contact information.
Improving judicial professionalism starts in the classroom
The new requirement for judges to log more continuing education hours is not seen as burden.
Canny: CLE enables paralegals to learn, grow
Cathy Canny asks why is it any less important for paralegals to obtain continuing legal education as compared to attorneys.
More attorneys are turning to online programming to get CLE credit
Since 2006, Indiana attorneys have been allowed to count CLE classes offered over the Internet toward their total required continuing education hours. The popularity of online programs has been growing among lawyers primarily because of the convenience. Lawyers do not have to budget travel time into their schedules to attend a seminar.
Justices deny transfer for two dozen cases
The Indiana Supreme Court rejected 24 requests for transfer last week, granting transfer in just one case which already has been decided.
Courts announce July 4 holiday closures
Indiana appellate courts and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals are extending the Independence Day holiday to a four-day weekend.
Justices reverse juvenile placement on sex offender registry
A juvenile who pleaded guilty to what would have been Class D felony sexual battery if committed by an adult should not have been placed on the sex offender registry, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled Monday.
BP agrees to $7M settlement over tainted gas
BP Products North America will settle a class-action lawsuit resulting from a gasoline recall last year, agreeing to pay $7 million in damages, costs and claims, according to attorneys representing the class.
Indiana Supreme Court endorses new jury instructions for mentally ill defendants
Although it affirmed the judgment of the post-conviction court in denying relief, the Indiana Supreme Court endorsed a change in jury instructions regarding mentally ill defendants.
Tax court affirms classification of beneficiaries
A Hamilton County judge correctly classified beneficiaries as Class B and Class C transferees, subjecting them to higher taxes under Indiana’s inheritance tax, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Friday.
Justices disapprove of consideration of community outrage when reviewing sentence
The Indiana Supreme Court upheld a man’s 53-year sentence for battery and neglect of dependent convictions, but disagreed with the Court of Appeals’ reasoning for affirming the sentence.
Thoroughbred rep loses appeal over license requirement
A representative of a Thoroughbred horse owners and breeders organization was required to have a license from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission to participate in the group’s activities at the state’s pari-mutuel racetracks, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday.
Justices: Center Township Small Claims court stays put
What’s been called the state’s busiest court will stay in the City-County Building in Indianapolis, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Friday, blocking the Center Township trustee’s bid to relocate the court to a location on Fall Creek Parkway.
Appeals panel reverses summary judgment for insurer in hit-and-run
Summary judgment in favor of an insurer should not have been granted in a hit-and-run case, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The court reversed a Marion Superior Court order and held that the hit-and-run driver was uninsured as a matter of law.
BMV reduces license costs that generated class-action suit
Indiana driver’s licenses will be $3.50 less expensive, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced Friday in a change taking immediate effect.
Maurer grads second in national ‘fantasy’ SCOTUS competition
A half point is all that separated Indiana University Maurer School of Law’s Bro Bono team from first place and ultimate bragging rights in a competition where teams were asked to predict how U.S. justices would vote on cases this term.