Supreme Court accepts 5 transfers
The Indiana Supreme Court has taken five cases on transfer, including one that presents two issues of first impression on prejudgment interest.
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Court divided over consent to 5-person jury
A panel of Indiana Court of Appeals judges split on the issue of whether a defendant agreed to allow a five-member jury to decide her case after one juror fell ill, with the dissenting judge believing the defendant – not her counsel – must consent to the five-person jury.
Victim’s statements to nurse allowed, but judges reverse convictions
The Indiana Court of Appeals concluded that a victim’s statements detailing her physical attack and identifying her attacker were admissible in court and were nontestimonial, so the defendant’s confrontation rights weren’t violated. However, the judges reversed the man’s convictions because the trial court shouldn’t have admitted prior misconduct evidence involving the defendant and the victim.
Tax Court rules in brewery’s favor
Ruling on an issue that previously has come before the Indiana Tax Court, Senior Judge Thomas Fisher has upheld that sales to Indiana customers who hired common carriers to pick up alcohol at an Ohio facility shouldn’t have been included in the sales factor of Miller Brewing Co.’s adjusted gross income tax and supplemental net income tax.
Judges uphold theft charge against man
On interlocutory appeal, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a man’s motion to dismiss his theft charge in Jay County because he caused the delay in the case by absconding. The case brought up the issue of whether knowledge by jail officials on the whereabouts of the defendant can mean that the judge and prosecutor were sufficiently notified.
Clerk of Court for Northern District retiring
The longtime clerk for the Northern District of Indiana is retiring at the end of the year, and those interested in filling that vacancy have nearly a month to apply for the federal court position.
Steuben County joins Odyssey
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. will join judges and the clerk of Steuben County on August 22 to demonstrate Odyssey, a new case management system.
COA reverses trial court on Kroger building proposal
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled that the Town of Plainfield Plan Commission must provide The Kroger Co. with specific reasons its building plan was denied or allow Kroger to build a gas station as planned.
Judges reverse teen’s adjudication for school absences, tardies
The state didn’t show that a teenager was in need of care, treatment, or rehabilitation regarding school attendance, so his adjudication as a delinquent child for missing school should be reversed, ruled the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Federal appeals court examines disputed telephone charges
Writing for a unanimous 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel, U.S. Judge David Hamilton authored an opinion Tuesday full of what he calls “telephonese.” The opinion delves into a small business’s disputed phone bill charges and how those matters are governed by state and common law.
COA rules paying penalty doesn’t nullify appeal
The Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled on an issue that has not directly been addressed by statute or caselaw, holding that paying a civil penalty to stop a tax sale of property doesn’t cancel out an appeal questioning that assessment’s validity.
COA sides with Live Nation in naming dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the Murat Temple Association’s claim that Live Nation Worldwide violated terms of its lease agreement.
New disciplinary commission members named
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed three new members to the Disciplinary Commission. Trent A. McCain of Merrillville, Andi M. Metzel of Indianapolis, and Nancy Cross of Carmel will each serve a five-year term. They replace Tony Zappia of South Bend, J. Mark Robinson of New Albany, and Sally Zweig of Indianapolis.
7th Circuit upholds denial of class action, statutory damages
In an appeal of the denial of a proposed class-action lawsuit based on the finding the attorney was inadequate to represent the class, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals noted that the attorney’s demeanor on appeal didn’t help his cause.
Court rules on genetic patents
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a ruling July 29 in a case that raised fundamental questions about the patentability of human genes.
Determining dependency in child support
A new law merges what guidelines had previously only recommended.
Formalizing relationships between unmarried couples
As the number of domestic partnerships increases, more couples are seeking legal agreements.
Rising CHINS cases cause concern
Southern Indiana counties struggle with increase in child abuse cases.
Indiana courts contemplate response to potential juror apathy
Kelly Scanlan can’t understand why people don’t want to serve on juries or why some don’t even respond to questionnaires and show up when called.