Rush to present 2022 State of the Judiciary on Wednesday
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush is set to give her annual State of the Judiciary address on Wednesday, the Supreme Court has announced.
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Articles
COVID surge forces some courts to, again, limit operations
Courts in Marion County and at least two other Indiana counties are suspending jury trials and reinstituting some restrictions in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases that continues to rise across the state.
Chief Justice Roberts reminds federal judiciary of ethical standards
In his year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts highlighted the need for “more rigorous” ethics training for the federal judiciary and possibly additional funding from Congress to prevent judges from presiding over cases in which they have a conflict of interest.
COA: Bedford couple attempted to defraud ex-husband
A man who accused his ex-wife of purchasing a home to defraud him of money she owed him as a result of their dissolution decree has secured a reversal from the Court of Appeals of Indiana.
Indianapolis-area state senators target criminal justice system with new bills
Republican legislators on Thursday introduced a spate of new bills targeting the criminal justice system in the Indianapolis area and across Indiana. Five Republican state senators representing parts of Marion County are taking aim at bail and electronic monitoring policies, and pushing for greater inter-agency cooperation and extra funding.
Actors retell personal accounts of early Indiana district judges during court historical society event
The Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana recently invited members of the legal community to listen to the true experiences — both joyful and harrowing — of two of its earliest judges.
Pew study finds benefits, problems with virtual courts
Virtual hearings have been touted as providing easier access to the courts for low-income and self-represented litigants. But in a recent study, The Pew Charitable Trusts concluded the online judicial system is still designed for lawyers, and those parties without attorneys continue to be at a disadvantage.
Problems getting computer chips short circuits Marion County courts’ move to new justice campus
Supply chain issues are forcing Marion County courts to delay their move to the new Community Justice Campus until mid-February, according to an updated timeline of the relocation process.
Judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for federal contractors
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors, the latest in a string of victories for Republican-led states pushing back against Biden’s pandemic policies.
Plaintiffs trying to overturn Lake County JNC tap brakes on court proceeding as judicial selection moves forward
A federal court has granted a request by the plaintiffs challenging the judicial selection process in Lake County to toss their previously filed motion for a preliminary injunction, which sought to stop the local nominating commission from filling the superior court vacancy created by the death of Judge Diane Boswell. Meanwhile, the Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is preparing for interviews with 12 candidates vying to fill the Lake Superior Court vacancy.
Justices deny 19 petitions to transfer
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied 19 cases on petition to transfer, rejecting a handful of cases involving medical malpractice, school threats and sentence modifications.
COA reinstates landlords’ tort claims against Hammond
A lawsuit against the city of Hammond brought by a group of corporate property landlords has been reinstated after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the Lake Superior Court erred when it ruled their tort claims were filed in an untimely manner.
Lafayette woman sentenced for 2 deaths during robbery
An 18-year-old Lafayette woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the shooting deaths of a pizza delivery driver and her boyfriend, both killed during a botched robbery.
Public nuisance laws in opioid cases give hope to both sides
A jury’s finding this week that three major pharmacy chains are responsible for contributing to the scourge of opioid addiction in two Ohio counties may be just the beginning of a protracted legal battle that ultimately could leave the communities no better off.
Supreme Court announces pilot program allowing news broadcasts in select courts
The Indiana Supreme Court announced last week that members of the news media will be permitted to broadcast certain in-person proceedings in five Indiana trial courts through a new pilot project starting Dec. 1.
Young: Nation still facing hydra of race, justice and violence
The specter of summer 2020 still haunts us. We are immersed in two trials, separated by hundreds of miles, both telling the tale of complicated justice systems.
Dollens: DTCI Amicus activity: Summary of key cases in 2021
Although DTCI is unable to become involved in every case in which its participation is requested, the amicus committee and the board of directors carefully consider each request and welcome the chance to work with defense counsel across the state on important issues of Indiana law before Indiana’s appellate courts
Indiana Court Decisions – Nov. 4-16, 2021
7th Circuit Court of Appeals Nov. 5 Criminal-Compassionate Release/COVID-19 Vaccine United States of America v. Timothy Kurzynowski 20-3491 The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the denial of relief to a man convicted of child pornography crimes, finding that because he is vaccinated against COVID-19, he is ineligible for relief on remand for extraordinary […]
Waukesha parade crash suspect’s bail raises questions
The suspect in a Christmas parade crash in suburban Milwaukee that killed five people was free on $1,000 bail posted just two days before the deadly event, a fact that is leading to a review of what happened and renewed calls for giving judges more power to set higher bails.
Allen Superior Court to celebrate National Adoption Month on Thursday
Adoptions will be celebrated Thursday in the Allen Superior Court as the Fort Wayne judiciary marks National Adoption Month.