Justices toss decision in media mogul’s discrimination case
The Supreme Court of the United States on Monday threw out a lower court ruling in favor of a black media mogul and comedian who’s suing cable giant Comcast alleging racial discrimination.
Courts
Articles
US Supreme Court rules states can bar insanity defense
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday that states can prevent criminal defendants from pleading insanity without violating their constitutional rights. The decision could prompt states across the country to toughen standards for defendants who wish to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
How are you dealing with ‘the new normal’? Let IL know in words, photos
As courts, law schools and law offices close around the country in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, Indiana Lawyer wants to know how you’re handling “the new normal” of self-isolation, social distancing and working remotely. Please share your thoughts and photos showing how life has changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic with Indiana Lawyer reporter Katie Stancombe at [email protected].
Justices find turnover provision valid, give Floyd County justice center title
After considering a dispute over ownership of a Floyd County criminal justice center, the Indiana Supreme Court on Monday concluded a turnover provision in a lease between the county and the building authority is valid and enforceable. Justices granted title to the county in a long-running dispute.
7th Circuit affirms convictions in Walmart robberies
Two men who robbed and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Indiana Walmart stores could not convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday that there was insufficient evidence to support their convictions.
COA affirms admitted drug test lab results in CHINS case
The admission of positive drug test results under the business-records exception was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals in a Monday child in need of services case, despite a father’s argument that admission of the evidence was erroneous.
7th Circuit reinstates sex discrimination case against Valpo Schools in coaching dispute
A would-be high school running coach who says she was passed over for a coaching job in favor of younger male applicants will be able to make her claim for sex discrimination in court after a majority of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment for Valparaiso Community Schools.
Court erred by correcting error after appeal began
An Indiana trial court erred in a case over unpaid elevator repair bills by granting the plaintiffs’ motion to correct error after the case already had gone up to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Rear-ended driver wins new damages trial after errant jury instruction
A driver who a jury awarded just $10,000 on her personal injury claims after an intoxicated driver struck her car from behind won a new trial on damages Friday. The Indiana Court of Appeals found an erroneous jury instruction may have led to a verdict that was less than the driver had been offered to settle the case.
Holcomb signs bill eliminating expungement wait time issue
Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday signed into law a measure eliminating confusion in the courts and establishing that the waiting period to obtain an expungement begins on the date a felony conviction is entered and does not start anew if that conviction is later reduced to a misdemeanor.
Supreme Court hears arguments in stoplight crash suit against IPL
Indiana Supreme Court justices heard oral argument Thursday on the question of whether a utility may face liability for people injured in a traffic crash in which a malfunctioning stoplight played a role.
7th Circuit affirms stay of DePuy medical device distribution litigation
A dispute over a medical device maker’s distribution contracts in Southern California was properly stayed in an Indiana federal court after parallel claims were brought here, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
Some Indiana Supreme Court, COA oral arguments canceled
Several oral arguments scheduled to be heard by both the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals have been canceled as of Wednesday.
COA: Motion to suppress should be granted because officers lacked probable cause
A visitor who was present during a home detention check that resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs and ended with him in handcuffs secured a reversal from the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday. The court found officers lacked probable cause to search the man and reversed his denied motion to suppress.
Reversal: Fired lawyer cannot seek attorney fees ‘separate and apart’ from client
A Crown Point attorney who was fired by her client in a long-running juvenile paternity case had no right to then intervene in the case to seek an award of attorney fees from the opposing party, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, reversing the trial court.
US Courts report drop in appellate filings, increase in immigration defendants
Prosecutions against immigrant defendants and cases involving diversity of citizenship saw higher numbers last year, according to the United States Courts’ Annual Report and Court Statistics for 2019. Meanwhile, appellate filings dropped nationwide.
Federal Bar Update: By the (hand)book: Jurisdiction, jurisdiction, jurisdiction
Federal courts are limited jurisdiction tribunals. As such, the federal judiciary carefully guards subject-matter jurisdiction, ensuring at multiple stages of a case, and in the trial court and on appeal, that the case is properly in federal court. Examples of jurisdictional issues abound in federal district courts and are scrutinized in the 7th Circuit, as well.
Indiana must recognize both spouses in female same-sex marriages as parents
A federal court issued an order Tuesday requiring Indiana to include non-birth mothers’ names on their children’s birth certificates, marking a milestone in a long legal battle.
Conviction affirmed for intoxicated woman found in parked, running vehicle
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the conviction of a woman who was found intoxicated in her running but parked vehicle, finding sufficient evidence to support that she was operating the vehicle at the time law enforcement found her.
Justices to hear arguments in stoplight outage crash suit against IPL
Oral arguments in a negligence case brought by a family severely injured in a crash in a traffic intersection after a 2016 storm will be heard by Indiana Supreme Court justices this week. Per an order issued Monday, attendance at the argument will be limited to parties and counsel, but the argument may be viewed online.