Indiana Supreme Court: school vouchers constitutional
Indiana’s school voucher program is constitutional, the Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday.
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Many efforts arise to address abandoned property, few go forward
State Sen. Jim Merritt wanted to help an eastside Indianapolis church gain possession of some long-abandoned, derelict houses, tear them down and establish a neighborhood park. But it turned out there wasn’t much the law allowed the church to do.
Lawmakers advance bill to aid courthouse restoration, but money is missing
Nearly every county seat in Indiana could benefit from a bill promoting historic courthouse renovation and maintenance projects. Only problem is, when lawmakers passed the legislation through the Senate they stripped out the money for it.
Tax clinic brings relief to homeowners fighting high assessments
At Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, the attorneys suspected there was a gap in pro bono tax help for owners of homes valued at $150,000 or less. They were looking for a volunteer opportunity so they organized the first ever Homeowner Property Tax Clinic.
White claims Brizzi ‘ignorant’ of law, jurors wowed by Super Bowl
Former Secretary of State Charlie White says his convictions on six charges ranging from vote fraud to theft should be tossed because they violated state and federal law. He also claims that his lawyer, former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi “was ignorant of the law.”
Indiana Senate to hold hearings on crime bills
Two crime bills moving through the Indiana General Assembly are on the agenda for Senate hearings next week.
Cedar Lake allowed to dissolve Parks Department, board
A Lake Superior judge erred when she used Dillon’s Rule to determine the scope of the town of Cedar Lake’s legal authority to dissolve its park board and Parks Department, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The proper legal inquiry is based on the state’s Home Rule Act.
Problem-solving courts, CHINS legislation return to house of origin
The Indiana Senate passed several House bills Tuesday, including legislation expanding when a person can participate in a problem-solving court program. The House of Representatives returned bills on children in need of services petitions and prosecutor pensions back to the Senate.
Despite constitutional concerns, judicial nomination bill advances
Proposed changes to the panel that recommends judges for the Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals advanced to the House floor Monday, but not before some lawmakers said they reserved judgment on whether the measure was constitutional.
Wabash College sophomore will design art project honoring Shepard
A child’s handprint designed by Wabash College sophomore John Vosel has been chosen as the monument to honor former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard in a new Evansville park.
DCS centralized hotline undergoes changes in advance of legislation
Prior to the Indiana General Assembly implementing recommendations from an interim study committee, the Indiana Department of Child Services is making changes.
Synthetic drug ban, human trafficking bills move out of committee
Senate bills stiffening the state’s synthetic drug ban and strengthening Indiana’s human trafficking laws were approved unanimously by the House of Representatives Committee on Courts and Criminal Code Wednesday.
House Committee approves CHINS bill returning power to prosecuting attorneys
A bill giving prosecuting attorneys the ability to file a Child in Need of Services petition continues to garner strong support in the Indiana General Assembly.
Applications open for Allen Superior Civil Division judge
Applications are open for qualified Allen County attorneys interested in serving as a judge in Superior Court, Civil Division.
New FMLA rule expands provisions for military families
Attorneys see the 20-year-old Act growing beyond its original intent.
Refiguring workers’ comp in Indiana
A House bill looks to raise worker benefits, causing a tug-of-war over hospital reimbursement.
Indiana Senate president pro tem pushes for Constitutional Convention
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long admits his effort to convene a state-driven Constitutional Convention will be a struggle.
Humane Society, ASPCA target confined-hunting bill
Two-legged and four-legged lobbyists will head to the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to oppose a bill that would lift a ban on hunting animals in fenced areas.
Indiana bar exam may change test topics
Hopeful attorneys who take the Indiana bar exam in 2016 may no longer have to write essays on commercial law, personal property, and taxation based on proposed changes from the Indiana Board of Law Examiners.
Lawsuit accuses BMV of overcharging for driver’s licenses
A lawsuit filed in Marion County claims that the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has overcharged residents for their driver’s licenses by as much as $7 per license.