Man gets money for not paying into pension
In a strange twist in a bankruptcy case, a businessman actually benefited financially by not paying into a pension fund for his company.
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Man isn’t entitled to parental privilege defense
In an issue of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals had to decide whether a defendant who lived in a woman's home in exchange for babysitting her children would fall under the parental privilege defense for disciplining a child.
UPDATE: Senate passes cloture motion
The full U.S. Senate has ended debate on the controversial nomination of U.S. Judge David F. Hamilton, and now senators will vote as soon as Wednesday morning on his confirmation to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Court rules on ADR sanctions, Open Door Law
Trial courts can sanction government entities through the state's Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, but officials aren't necessarily acting in bad faith if they don't immediately approve mediated agreements to comply with the Indiana Open Door Law, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled today.
Alarm company’s actions not covered by policies
The Indiana Supreme Court reversed the denial of summary judgment on an insurance company's coverage defenses, ruling its insured's actions leading to a lawsuit were "errors or omissions," and so weren't covered by the commercial general liability or umbrella policies.
Prior conviction doesn’t fall under exception
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a defendant's argument that his felon-in-possession indictment was insufficient because his previous conviction of stealing cable doesn't meet the definition of a "crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" under 18 U.S.C. Section 921(a)(20)(A).
Judges differ on if ‘property damage’ occurred
A majority of Indiana Court of Appeals judges affirmed summary judgment in favor of a homebuilder's insurance provider, insurance broker, and subcontractor's insurer, ruling the damage to the homes wasn't "property damage" as covered by the insurance policies.
Court: counties responsible for GAL, CASA fees
In a significant opinion about the funding of child welfare cases, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today that any guardian ad litem or Child Appointed Special Advocate fees associated with a child in need of services case must be paid by the county and not the state agency that lawmakers gave more oversight power to in the past year.
Circuit Court: Spreadsheets OK as evidence
A Terre Haute company and its president lost an appeal of their convictions and sentence for making materially false statement reports under the Clean Water Act.
Suit filed against Marion County traffic court
A suit filed today claims the Marion County traffic court judge is violating residents' constitutional rights by imposing additional fines on those who unsuccessfully challenge their tickets and closing proceedings to the public.
Panel disagrees in admitting expert testimony
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today that a trial court didn't err in allowing into evidence an injured woman's testimony about medical tests and the cause of her pain.
BMV policy needed to prevent identity theft
The inconvenience of a few Hoosiers outweighs the very real threat of identity theft, so the trial court was correct in denying a preliminary injunction against the Bureau of Motor Vehicle's verification of records using Social Security Administration data, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today.
Court split on ineffective trial counsel
A panel of Indiana Court of Appeals judges disagreed that an attorney was ineffective because the majority found the attorney told her client he "should" win the case whereas one judge pointed out in the record the attorney admitted to telling the client he "would" win.
New academy named after chief justice
Students in Vanderburgh County soon will be able to attend an academy named after the state's chief justice; the academy will focus on the law and social justice.
Judges Speakers Bureau to reach out to students
The Indiana Supreme Court announced today the creation of a Judges Speakers Bureau to bring judges into classrooms across the state.
COA: Man didn’t personally waive right to jury
Because the trial court erred in finding a defendant waived his right to have a jury hear the enhancement aspects of his drunk-driving
case, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed his elevated conviction.
Court appoints 3 to Disciplinary Commission
The Indiana Supreme Court announced today two new appointments to the Disciplinary Commission and the reappointment of one member.
IJA announces 2009 media, judicial awards
The Indiana Judges Association announced today the recipients of the 2009 Commendations for Excellence in Public Information and Education.
Federal judiciary: 1 new Southern District judge
The Judicial Conference of the United States Tuesday adopted a revised Code of Conduct for judges and released its recommendations for new federal judgeships.
Court reverses interstate surrogate adoption
The Indiana Supreme Court reversed an adoption order granted to a New Jersey man of twin girls born by a surrogate in Indianapolis, ruling the Indiana trial court failed to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.