Supreme Court grants writ of mandamus
Indiana Supreme Court justices unanimously voted to grant a permanent writ of mandamus and prohibition in a case out of Howard Superior Court.
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Protective order sought in law examiners case
The Indiana State Board of Law Examiners wants a U.S. District judge to issue a protective order stopping the ACLU of Indiana from obtaining what the agency describes as confidential information about bar applicants' answers to questions.
Protective order issued in National Guard suit
A magistrate judge has issued a protective order to preserve and maintain the confidentiality of certain documents in a lawsuit filed by members of the Indiana National Guard against a contractor working in Iraq.
Fingerprint info now needed in appearance form
The state's Supreme Court has amended Indiana Criminal Rule 2.1 to require the prosecuting attorney to include fingerprint information when filing an appearance form in a criminal proceeding. The amendment takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Justices issue ruling in casino revenue case
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled today on an ongoing appeal about how casino revenue is funneled to a for-profit organization in East Chicago, an issue that has also been raised in an ongoing federal racketeering suit in northern Indiana.
Court upholds sentence-reduction denial
Even though a defendant may be eligible for a sentence reduction under new crack cocaine sentencing guidelines, it is up to the District Court's discretion to grant a reduced sentence, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today.
First impression in utility fee case
In a matter of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals had to determine whether the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission properly reviewed the rates and fees charged by a regional sewage district at the request of a campground owner.
Justices: new Terre Haute election not needed
A special election isn't needed to determine the rightful mayor of Terre Haute, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled today.
COA reverses termination over rule violation
The Indiana Court of Appeals split today in its decision to reverse the termination of a mother's parental rights. The majority found the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the mother's trial counsel to withdraw her appearance under a local court rule.
Judge to decide fate of Sidewalk 6 defendants
The Indiana Attorney General personally attended a civil racketeering court hearing this morning in Hammond, a rare in-person appearance that comes in the civil case against a former East Chicago mayor and a top aide.
Law examiners board gets new officers, members
The State Board of Law Examiners has new members this year, thanks to two appointments by the Indiana Supreme Court, as well as newly elected officers.
Police officer not entitled to qualified immunity
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a police officer isn't entitled to qualified immunity in a suit claiming excessive force because the officer didn't have a reason to point a submachine gun at the plaintiffs during the execution of a search warrant.
Judges disagree on proof-of-age issue
Indiana Court of Appeals judges disagreed today about whether the state proved in its case a convicted child molester was 21 years old at the time the molestation occurred.
Magistrate denies any pre-bench wrongdoing
A newly appointed federal magistrate in Indianapolis denies any misconduct or knowledge of wrongdoing that a judge says happened during a clean air trial last spring prior to her taking the bench.
Transfer granted to ‘knock and talk’ case
The state's highest court has agreed to hear a case in which the Indiana Court of Appeals split on whether a police "knock and talk" investigation violated a man's constitutional rights.
Judge questioned again for nomination
U.S. District Chief Judge David F. Hamilton of Indianapolis appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon for a rare second hearing on his nomination for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.Lawmakers convened the second nomination hearing following complaints from Republican senators in early April about a lack of preparation time for the first hearing, which happened April 1. That hearing was just days before the Senate’s two-week break before Easter, and Hamilton answered questions before senators about his 14 years…
High court expands Lambert decision
The Indiana Supreme Court issued two opinions today dealing with incarceration being considered as a substantial change in circumstances to justify modifying a child support order and what date a modification may take place.
House committee split, justice election bill stuck
Legislation aimed at changing how the Indiana Supreme Court justices are chosen hasn't gotten enough support to make it out of committee for now, getting a split vote from lawmakers that means it won't be going to the full House for consideration.
Bill: Legal aid services can assess indigency
Indiana lawmakers want the state's legal aid and pro bono programs to have one less hurdle to navigate through when representing indigent clients, agreeing that there's no need to always tie up court time in establishing indigency.
BREAKING: Senate Judiciary delays nomination vote
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed voting on the nomination of U.S. Judge David F. Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals because some senators are concerned about the Indianapolis jurist’s record on the bench. Senators agreed during an executive business meeting this morning to hold over the nomination vote to the next meeting, which hasn’t yet been set. Committee chair Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., said the delay was because the new ranking Republican committee member, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.,…