Judge Kiely takes oath for Vanderburgh Circuit Court
The Hon. David D. Kiely was sworn in Wednesday as the new Vanderburgh Circuit Court judge. A ceremony was scheduled at noon in the Vanderburgh Circuit courtroom.
Courts
Articles
2012 Year in Review
2012 was another busy year for the legal community. We welcomed new justices and a new chief justice, witnessed the beginnings of the state’s fifth law school, and saw local stories garner national and international attention. Here’s a look back at the top news stories from last year.
Rush robing completes Supreme Court transition
Justice Loretta Rush formally was robed the 108th justice of the Indiana Supreme Court on Dec. 28, the third member of the five-member court appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
New group aims to prevent many from enetering juvenile justice system
A number of federal and state agencies along with nonprofit organizations are working to help regain the youths’ footing after they stumble into trouble. Now, a new nonprofit has been formed with a focus on preventing children and teenagers from entering the juvenile justice system.
Public-record email case focuses on scope of requests
A dustup over access to public records reveals an uncertain standard exists for what is considered a reasonable request to disclose public officials’ emails under Indiana public record laws.
Court cites fishy documents in reversing support order
A Marion Superior judge had no jurisdiction to enter a judgment against a father stating he owed $27,522 in support to his children’s mother, because Canadian court documents and other filings should not have been considered, the Court of Appeals ruled.
Vintage Corvette belongs to the last buyer
Although a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette was the subject of litigation over ownership when it was purchased by a third party on eBay, the Indiana Court of Appeals has found the hotrod belongs to the eBay bidder.
Duke loses appeal of scandal-touched IURC rate case reversal
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s reversal and subsequent rejection of deferred accounting of $11.9 million for Duke Energy was affirmed by the Court of Appeals Friday in a case revisited because of an ethics scandal involving state regulators.
Rush robing completes Supreme Court transition
Justice Loretta Rush formally was robed the 108th justice of the Indiana Supreme Court on Friday, the third member of the five-member court appointed by Gov. Mitch Daniels.
Public interest in reducing poverty is grounds for application of doctrine of laches
In overturning a lower court’s ruling, the Indiana Court of Appeals opened the door for the doctrine of laches to be applied to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles by finding the suspension of a Bloomington woman’s driving privileges conflicts with the public’s interest in reducing poverty.
Testy divorce remanded for recalculation
A divorce order that satisfied neither party was sent back to the trial court for recalculation of several provisions.
Man argues the sentencing guidelines were applied incorrectly
A Wisconsin man who used a stolen Indiana driver’s license to obtain a passport had his sentence affirmed by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals which held certain provisions in the sentencing guidelines should be applied differently depending on the circumstances.
Supreme Court denies 17 cases for transfer
Last week, the Indiana Supreme Court only took one case on transfer, which it ruled on Dec. 19. The justices declined to take 17 other cases.
COA affirms ruling in suit brought after fatal train accident
The trial court did not err in concluding that a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether federal preemption applies with respect to the adequacy of the traffic warning devices installed at a railroad crossing where a fatal accident occurred in 2009, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Thursday.
Appeals court reinstates injured motorist’s claim against insurer
A driver’s claim against an insurance company that was dismissed by a trial court was reinstated by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday.
Price of postage is not enough for 7th Circuit to review NLRB’s ruling
The cost of a postage stamp was not enough for Beck objectors to request a refund from their unions, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.
Appeals court upholds Medicaid fraud charges
A woman charged with defrauding Indiana’s Medicaid program of nearly $350,000 lost the appeal of her partial motion to dismiss the charges.
Sensient settles over use of ‘popcorn lung’ chemical
Sensient Flavors LLC will pay a smaller fine in exchange for agreeing to reduce the amount of a chemical it uses at its Indianapolis plant, as part of a settlement it has reached with state regulators.
Snow forces court, office closures
Many people in Indiana may be enjoying an extra-long Christmas vacation thanks to blizzard-like conditions in parts of the state. Heavy snow and high winds have led to closures, including Indiana’s appellate courts.
Comments being accepted on bankruptcy local rules
The judges of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana are considering amendments to two local rules: B-4001-3 and B-4008-1.