Indiana federal court vacancies could remain for years
The impact of the filibuster rule change on the role politics plays in the confirmation process remains to be seen.
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Badger: Supreme Court will hear death records dispute
The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral argument May 8 in a dispute over public access to county death records. The case, Evansville Courier & Press v. Vanderburgh County Health Department, raises the issue of whether a county health department’s death certificates, including the cause of death, are public records under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act.
Same-sex plaintiffs argue the governor enforces marriage statute
Plaintiffs in Love v. Pence, the first lawsuit filed in March challenging Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, filed their response to the state’s motion to dismiss their complaint, arguing the governor has the power to order county clerks to issue marriage licenses.
COA affirms dropped charges for ex-IURC chief Hardy
Because David Lott Hardy, former chairman of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, broke no laws, a trial court didn’t abuse its discretion in dismissing felony official misconduct charges against him, the Indiana Court of Appeals held Tuesday.
Justice Department outlines new clemency initiative
The U.S. Department of Justice Wednesday announced its initiative to encourage qualified federal inmates to petition to have their sentences commuted or reduced by the president of the United States.
Assertion of state’s rights may not support same-sex marriage ban
Indiana is contenting that states have the authority to define marriage, but the federal court and the ACLU of Indiana have given little merit to the state’s arguments for maintaining a ban on same-sex marriage.
Hogsett: Machine gun case most ‘egregious,’ ‘dangerous’ he’s seen
Joe Hogsett on Tuesday announced the maximum penalty was warranted in a felony firearm case he called the most “egregious and dangerous” he’s seen during his time as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
Government drops Conour sentence appeal
The U.S. attorney’s office will no longer seek a longer prison sentence for convicted legal fraudster William Conour, according to documents filed recently in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Conour’s appeal will move forward.
Brokers fear criminal justice complex could harm downtown Indianapolis
Creating a new criminal justice complex outside of downtown Indianapolis will mean big changes for the Mile Square, and some real estate brokers think the transition will be painful.
Ethics Committee schedules hearing to review legislator’s actions
The House Committee on Ethics has scheduled a meeting to review whether Rep. P. Eric Turner violated legislative ethics when he pushed caucus members to vote against a bill that would have potentially hurt his family’s business interests.
Senators seek candidate to fill Judge Barker’s vacancy
Indiana Sens. Joe Donnelly and Dan Coats have begun the process for selecting a candidate to fill the vacancy coming to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Councilor: ACLU settlement won’t deter panhandling proposal
The city of Indianapolis reached a settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union over enforcement of its panhandling ordinance, but that won't deter a City-County Council effort to pass a more restrictive law, a councilor said Wednesday morning.
Former IURC chair’s appeal raises questions on official misconduct law
Did a former state utility regulator’s behavior that got him fired rise to official misconduct if he committed no crime? An Indiana Court of Appeals panel grappled with that question, as well as which version of the law applies, during oral arguments March 31.
Law firms fight ‘onerous’ proposed tax change
Lawyers representing Indiana’s legal profession are heading to Washington, D.C., with a message for their congressional delegations – kill a proposal that would change the way many law firms report income-tax obligations.
New portable alcohol monitoring device gains favor in community corrections
Offenders ordered to forgo alcohol in order to stay out of prison now have a powerful incentive to stay sober – they hold the key to their freedom in their hands.
FSSA able to terminate 9-year Medicaid provider contract without cause
An Indiana Court of Appeals panel unanimously rejected a company’s argument that its state contract was wrongfully terminated. The company argued it has a property interest in continuing to be a Medicaid services provider.
Hearing on motion for TRO on marriage statute Thursday
The multiple challenges to Indiana’s ban on same-sex marriage are picking up steam with the federal court scheduling arguments regarding a temporary restraining order and the state filing a motion to dismiss one of the lawsuits.
AG files Medicaid fraud charges against Anderson dental office owner and employees
Nine individuals from an Anderson dental office, including three dentists and the owner, are facing criminal charges for allegedly obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars from Medicaid illegally, the Indiana attorney general announced Wednesday.
Court upholds Plymouth pay policy challenged by reservist
The city of Plymouth’s policy on longevity pay withstood a challenge by a police officer who unsuccessfully claimed he was entitled to the full benefit rather than a prorated share for time he spent deployed as a U.S. Air Force Reservist.
Official misconduct statute focus of Hardy appeal
Whether Indiana’s official misconduct statute is unconstitutionally vague was the question before an appeals court panel Monday that heard the state argue that criminal charges should be reinstated against the fired head of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.