Allen Superior Court pauses jury trials due to COVID-19
The Allen Superior Court will halt jury trials until at least Feb. 14 due to the latest surge in COVID-19 infections and illnesses in the community, the court announced Wednesday.
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‘A tenacious spirit’: Chief Justice Rush commends perseverance of judiciary in unprecedented times
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush on Jan. 12 presented her eighth State of the Judiciary address to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, state lawmakers and fellow judges, providing an update on the condition of Indiana’s courts. She returned to the Indiana House of Representatives chamber to address the General Assembly following a virtual address in 2021.
Federal judiciary resisting congressional effort to make PACER free
With members of Congress on both sides of the aisle supporting a pair of bills that would give the public free access to federal court filings, federal judges are asserting filing fees would likely increase if PACER is prohibited from charging users.
Ruling raises new questions about remote testimony in court
An overturned conviction in Missouri is raising new questions about video testimony in criminal court cases nationwide, and the ruling could have ripple effects through a justice system increasingly reliant on remote technology as it struggles with a backlog of cases during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lake County halts jury trials through Jan. 31 over COVID-19
Jury trials have been halted through Jan. 31 in Indiana’s second most populous county because of rising local infection rates and hospitalizations from COVID-19, a judge said Wednesday.
Chief Justice Rush commends perseverance of courts, honors Justice David at State of the Judiciary
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush presented her eighth State of the Judiciary address to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, state lawmakers and fellow judges on the conditions of Indiana’s courts on Wednesday.
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.
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.