COA: ‘Appalling character’ of deadbeat dad merits 10-year sentence
An Elkhart County father whose child support arrearage neared $57,000 lost his second appeal of a case that already has gone to the Indiana Supreme Court.
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Legal fight fuels tensions in tight-knit tech world
A trademark-infringement case brought against App Press LLC threatens to smother the tech startup in legal fees before it reaches its potential. And in a curious twist, the case also has generated grumblings in the tightknit developer community toward a big law firm that is representing App Press’ opponent in the federal court case.
Ruling: DOC ‘indifferent’ to mentally ill inmates
The opinion from the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Indiana fits the national trend against isolation policy for these inmates.
AG argues contempt warranted in East Chicago suit
After seven years, there still has been no discovery on $16 million in casino revenue funneled to East Chicago Second Century.
Democrats’ walkout leads to another ‘fines’ mess
Before the Indiana General Assembly convened Jan. 7, some unfinished business was debated in the Statehouse: whether Republican House leaders went too far in seizing fines from Democrats who walked out of the Legislature in 2011 and 2012.
Sequestration would deepen staff cuts, chief judges warn
Federal courts that have squeezed staff as budgets shrank could be forced to furlough employees if Congress fails to avoid mandatory budget cuts that now are slated to take effect in March.
Ex-Chicago cop among 3 sentenced in Latin Kings prosecutions
The continuing federal prosecutions of the Latin Kings street gang that federal authorities have implicated in 19 murders resulted in a 19-year sentence for a former Chicago police officer.
Volunteer judges needed for high school mock trial competitions
The Indiana Mock Trial program is putting out the call for volunteer judges to help with this year’s regional and state competitions as well as the national championship which will be held in Indianapolis in May.
Judicial appointments made to Marion and Vanderburgh Superior courts
In one of his last official acts as governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels appointed judges to the Vanderburgh and Marion Superior courts. When the two judges will assume their new duties has not been determined.
Dickson to deliver first State of the Judiciary
Chief Justice Brent Dickson will deliver his first State of the Judiciary address to the Indiana General Assembly at 2 p.m. EST on Jan. 23.
AG asks Supreme Court to review Gingerich conviction
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversal of an adult murder conspiracy conviction of a then-12-year-old should be reviewed by the state Supreme Court, Attorney General Greg Zoeller said in a statement late Thursday.
Justices find man not required to register for life as sex offender
The Indiana Supreme Court held Thursday that based on the facts of a Lake County man’s case, a 2006 amendment requiring him to register for life as a sex offender violates the Ex Post Facto Clause of the Indiana Constitution. The amendment took effect after Andre Gonzalez fully served his sentence and during the 10-year period of his required registration.
Justices adopt changes to parenting time guidelines
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued a 33-page order that spells out the changes to the state’s parenting time rule and guidelines. The amendments take effect March 1, 2013.
Judge supports denying rehearing, but disagrees with colleagues’ rationale
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a man’s petition for rehearing and for a rehearing en banc after the court originally upheld the seizure of thousands of dollars following a traffic stop. But one judge did write to explain that she disagreed with her fellow panel members’ rationale for originally affirming the seizure.
Evidence supports wife entitled to protective order against husband
A Tippecanoe County man appealing the issuance of a protective order against him lost his case before the Indiana Court of Appeals Wednesday. The appellate court concluded that the evidence showed his wife is a victim of domestic violence.
Indiana authors SCOTUS brief on legislative prayer
Indiana Solicitor General Thomas M. Fisher drafted an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court of the United States Monday in Town of Greece, N.Y. v. Galloway, 12-696. The brief, joined by 17 other states, asks the nation’s highest court to grant cert petition and issue a ruling clarifying that prayer is permitted before legislative bodies without requiring leaders to screen prayers for sectarian references.
US Courts hope to make bankruptcy forms more user-friendly
The United States Courts announced Tuesday that it is seeking comment from the public on proposed updates to the bankruptcy forms used by individual debtors. These changes are the first proposed modernization of the forms in two decades.
Settlement without insurer’s consent is at builder’s expense
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals praised a homebuilder for its quick response and remedy to a couple’s discovery that their brand new home was full of backed-up sewage. But because Arbor Homes didn’t get the consent of the insurer regarding a settlement, the insurer has no obligation to pay for the cleanup.
Texas Roadhouse fire suit among 4 justices take
A lawsuit over liability for a fire that destroyed an Indianapolis steakhouse because hydrants were frozen and unusable will proceed to the Indiana Supreme Court.