SCOTUS reverses 7th Circuit a second time on capital case
An Indiana case has prompted the nation’s highest court to reiterate that federal courts can’t issue any writ of habeas corpus to state prisoners whose confinements do not violate U.S. law.
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Court divided on invasion of privacy charge
The Indiana Court of Appeals split today as to whether a woman who had an order for protection against her should have been convicted of invasion of privacy when she spoke to the protected party during a court hearing.
Ticket can’t constitute ‘testimonial hearsay’
Because a chemical breath-test evidence ticket is a mechanically produced readout that can’t be considered “testimonial hearsay” under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the Indiana Court of Appeals held a man’s Sixth Amendment rights weren’t violated when the equipment technician didn’t testify at his drunk-driving trial.
Federal magistrate’s robing ceremony Friday
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch's investiture ceremony will be at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 in Courtroom 216 in the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis.
Court appoints new CLE commission members
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed a northern Indiana attorney and central Indiana judge to the Commission for Continuing Legal Education.
DOC violated religious rights in denying kosher meals
A federal judge has found the Indiana Department of Correction was wrong to stop serving kosher meals to those whose religious practices required them to eat the specially prepared meals.
Judges: early retirement ends unemployment benefits
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the termination of unemployment benefits for an auto worker who accepted an early retirement package after she was laid off.
Indiana attorney is still battling merit-selection in courts
A Terre Haute attorney has been dealt another blow in his national effort to challenge judicial merit-selection systems in favor of popular elections.
Dozens apply for new federal magistrate spot
More than 40 attorneys have applied for a new magistrate spot in the Southern District of Indiana, the first new position since the 1980s.
COA affirms man not falsely arrested, imprisoned
The Indiana Court of Appeals declined to address whether a pro se prisoner is “incapacitated” for purposes of the Indiana Tort Claims Act in a man’s appeal of his suit involving false arrest and false imprisonment.
High court takes certified questions in NCAA case
The Indiana Supreme Court has accepted three certified questions proposed by a federal appeals court that arose in a case involving the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s ticket-distribution system for championship tournaments.
Southern District seeks comment on rule changes
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has proposed several amendments to its Local Rules involving discovery disputes, class action suits, appearances, and sentencing.
COA upholds denial of post-conviction relief
The Indiana Court of Appeals agreed with the post-conviction court that a defendant didn’t receive ineffective assistance of trial counsel, finding the man had no right to the effective assistance of counsel at the time he gave a statement to police in front of the attorney.
All judges up for retention to stay on bench
The 11 judges up for retention this year – including five on the Indiana Court of Appeals – will remain on the bench.
Hamilton Superior judge arrested out-of-state for DWI
Hamilton Superior Judge William J. Hughes was arrested for drunk driving last week while vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
High court takes 3 cases
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear a case in which a dissenting Court of Appeals judge worried that the majority’s finding would head toward a bright-line rule regarding the officer safety exception to the warrant requirement in the context of a car on the side of the road.
Court History Symposium set for Nov. 18
The third annual “Court History Symposium: Court History and History in the Making” CLE will feature remarks from Southern District judges as the court enters a new era.
Judge grants attorney summary judgment in collections suit
A federal judge ruled in favor of an Indianapolis attorney involved in a class-action suit alleging he violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The judge granted summary judgment to the attorney after finding the class representative fell outside the class definition.
Order asks for attorneys, court to use more professionalism
The Indiana Supreme Court denied a request for a writ of mandamus Friday, but noted that the attorneys and court involved had failed to act as professionally as they should regarding schedules.
COA finds voyeurism statute not vague
The state’s voyeurism statute is not unconstitutionally vague, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded today by rejecting a man’s claims that the statute would prevent taping a surprise birthday party.