Courts
Articles
Importance of contracts in construction
A construction management company was found not liable by the Indiana Supreme Court for a subcontractor’s injury.
2 cases prompt new real estate law
Indiana court opinions influence new foreclosure statute and amendment.
Federal courthouse on list for closure consideration
The Terre Haute courthouse survived a shutdown list in 2006 by building a new facility.
Appellate panel affirms trial court in dispute over unpaid land rental
A trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied a man damages for conversion, the Indiana Court of Appeals found.
Question about residency leads to reversal in insurance case
Because a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether a teenager lived with his mother or father, an appellate panel has remanded the matter for trial.
COA reverses conviction based on continuing crime doctrine
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed one conviction against a man charged with multiple offenses for stabbing his wife.
IndyBar releases results of judicial candidate peer evaluation
The Indianapolis Bar Association’s Judicial Excellence Political Action Committee released the results of its 2012 judicial candidate evaluation. The Democratic and Republican Party ballots will feature twelve candidates vying for 10 spots on Marion Superior Court. The candidates received varied approval rates, from just 18 percent to nearly 97 percent.
Dinner to celebrate former chief justice May 10
Distinguished members of the judicial community, including former Massachusetts Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, will be on hand May 10 at a celebration dinner honoring former Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.
COA to hear ‘right to farm’ argument
The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear a case Monday involving a dispute between neighboring pork farms.
Judge rejects Durham motion to throw out indictment
A federal judge on Thursday rejected Indianapolis financier Tim Durham’s months-long quest to have his indictment dismissed on the grounds that the government used wiretaps before it had court authorization to do so.
Judges affirm denial of post-conviction relief
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of a man’s request for post-conviction relief because he couldn’t prove that his trial or appellate counsel were ineffective.
Department of Workforce Development scammed out of $2 million
The Indiana Department of Workforce Development announced Wednesday afternoon that it allegedly has been cheated out of $2.4 million in unemployment insurance benefits. Fifteen people have been indicted for allegedly scheming to use fake companies to claim benefits.
COA upholds denial of fugitive’s request to file an appeal
A woman convicted of murdering her husband in the 1970s who escaped from prison and remained a fugitive for 35 years isn’t entitled to file a petition for belated appeal because her willful act of fleeing prevented her attorney from pursuing the appeal.
Judges reverse grant of unemployment benefits
The Indiana Court of Appeals has held that if an employee’s explanation for the behavior that led to his termination is another terminable offense, that provides just cause for termination. As a result, the judges reversed the decision to grant a fired man unemployment benefits.
Justices to hear driving while suspended case at Martin University
The Indiana Supreme Court will visit Martin University in Indianapolis Friday to hear arguments in a case over whether a man driving a scooter could be convicted of operating a “motor vehicle” while his driving privileges were suspended.
COA split on ability to review case
The majority on a personal injury case has dismissed it for appellate review, finding the Indiana Court of Appeals doesn’t have jurisdiction. The majority believed the case was not timely appealed.
7th Circuit upholds sentence for drug offenses
Dealing with the issue for the first time, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has held that a certificate of appealability is needed for the part of a case that challenges the denial of collateral relief.
Judge leaves attorneys on tax refund appeal
Indiana Tax Court Judge Martha Wentworth has denied the State Department of Revenue’s attempt to disqualify the two attorneys representing a company in a refund dispute.
Mother’s actions support contempt finding
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld finding a mother in contempt of court for not dismissing a protective order against her ex-husband as required by their dissolution decree. The judges also affirmed the award of compensatory damages and attorney fees to the father, but reversed a 10-day sentence imposed for future violations.