Supreme Court vacates transfer in bond case
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Monday vacating transfer to a case it accepted in October.
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Defense attorneys in Bales case trash former co-defendant
Indianapolis attorney and developer Paul J. Page is no longer a co-defendant in the fraud trial of real estate broker John M. Bales and a partner after agreeing to a plea deal, but you wouldn't know it from the action Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Justices accept, rule on 1 case on transfer
The Indiana Supreme Court took just one case last week and issued its decision on the matter the same day.
Indiana authors 2 amicus briefs in same-sex cases before SCOTUS
The issue of same-sex marriage is before the Supreme Court of the United States, and Indiana has authored one amicus brief and co-authored another arguing that the states should be able to define marriage.
Student kicked out of IU medical school loses on breach of contract claim
An Ohio man who was in his third year at Indiana University School of Medicine when he was dismissed for allegedly cheating couldn’t convince the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn summary judgment for the school on his breach of contract claim.
Bales defense: Elkhart deal was a ‘scheme to help’
Facing a looming deadline to find suitable office space for the state Department of Child Services and the prospect that abused or neglected children in Elkhart County could go without services, real estate broker John M. Bales and partner Bill Spencer in 2008 dipped into their own pockets to help close a difficult lease deal, their defense attorneys contend.
Statute’s language gives courts discretion when reviewing petitions to reduce Class D felony to a misdemeanor
A Hancock County man will not have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor after the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled the state statute gives the courts the freedom to decide whether to grant or deny a petition.
COA reversal of truck forfeiture allows movie fan to drive off into the sunset
In a reversal of a trial court’s ruling, the Indiana Court of Appeals held that a man who pleaded guilty to selling pirated movies should not have had his truck taken by the state because violating copyright is not the same as stealing goods
Finalists selected for St. Joseph Court
Two attorneys in private practice and three public servants are finalists for an upcoming vacancy in St. Joseph Superior Court.
Judges’ ruling in email records case defers to public access counselor
A request for the email records of public officials that simply asks for emails to or from officials over a certain period of time doesn’t satisfy the Access to Public Records Act, a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Disciplinary Actions -1/30/13
Read about the latest suspensions handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Changes to Federal Rule 45 are first in more than 2 decades
For the past several years, who could be compelled to appear at a federal trial depended on whom you asked.
Judging the jury
Dennis Stolle is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, but his skills as a doctor of social psychology are more important in his niche as a jury consultant.
U.S. Supreme Court decision ignited grassroots effort to amend the Constitution
In the fight over corporate influence in politics, one group is hoping the voice of the people can trump the allure of money.
Northern Indiana judges help create state’s mock trial tradition
Standing between two judges offering different opinions on how to proceed is not a place many attorneys would want to be. However, a group of students at Adams High School in South Bend often found themselves with opposing pieces of advice from the jurists. Two sets of instructions, two judges and no chance for a recess.
Dickson’s State of Judiciary highlights interplay of judiciary, Legislature
Indiana Chief Justice Brent Dickson’s first State of the Judiciary address after 27 years on the bench produced a few collegial chuckles as he offered examples of checks and balances and noted lawmakers had rewritten laws in response to at least three Supreme Court opinions in the last year.
Sovereign citizens disavow legal system, make bogus filings aimed at police, judges
Martin Jonassen describes himself as a sovereign citizen, one of a loose affiliation of people who believe most laws don’t apply to them. Adherents also strive to make life difficult and sometimes dangerous for law enforcement and the judiciary, and Indiana lawmakers have taken notice.
Fraud trial for broker Bales begins in South Bend
The federal fraud trial of Indianapolis real estate broker John M. Bales and a partner began Monday morning in South Bend with a jury-selection process that may not have run as smoothly if it took place in central Indiana.
State may drop Bei Bei Shuai murder charge after adverse ruling
A judge’s ruling last week barring a medical examiner’s testimony that rat poison ingested by Bei Bei Shuai caused the death of her newborn daughter should cause the state to consider dropping all charges, Shuai’s defense attorney said.
Marion County Clerk offering sweethearts a chance to say ‘I do’ to a healthy cause
While giving your heart to your Valentine, you can also help keep other hearts healthy.