UPDATE: Committee tweaking St. Joe judges bill
A legislative conference committee is debating what changes might be possible for a bill aimed at scrapping merit selection for St. Joseph Superior judges.
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District Court erred in drug sentence
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a man's sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine because the District Court failed to figure out the quantity of the drug reasonably attributable to the defendant.
7th Circuit warns attorneys about compliance
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals chastised the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Indiana’s Northern District to “get its act together” to comply strictly with a statute that imposes a mandatory life sentence for a defendant convicted of a drug offense with two prior drug convictions.
Court erred in ordering DCS to pay costs
The Indiana Department of Child Services isn't responsible for the costs of a minor's secure detention because it never entered into a written agreement with the juvenile court to cover the costs, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today.
Clinic director moves to AG’s office
After founding Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic and serving as its executive director since January 1994, Abigail Kuzma is leaving the organization to work in the Consumer Protection Division of the Indiana Attorney General's Office.
Judges: Town ordinance invalid
The Indiana Court of Appeals declared today a Plainfield town ordinance authorizing the imposition of storm-water fees on properties outside of the town's corporate boundaries to be invalid because under Indiana Code, the town only has the authority to collect the fee within its corporate limits.
State gets $21 million for justice-related jobs
Indiana will receive more than $21 million in Recovery Act funds to maintain or increase public safety in the state, while creating or retaining jobs within the law enforcement community.
Judges uphold mail fraud conviction
Although it noted the question was a "close one," the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined there was sufficient evidence to support a man's conviction of mail fraud in his scheme to defraud the government out of money for work he didn't complete.
Shutdown wouldn’t cripple legal system
As the clock ticked closer to a partial shutdown of state government, the Hoosier legal community received word this afternoon from the Indiana Supreme Court that trial courts should conduct business as usual and that the state's legal system would continue as much as possible if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by deadline.
House passes St. Joseph judicial election bill
In a historically notable vote, the Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill that would elect St. Joseph Superior judges rather than stick with a merit-selection and retention system in place for 35 years.
AG files suit against foreclosure consultants
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed lawsuits today against five foreclosure consulting companies accused of violating state laws.
E-Ticket program wins 2 awards
The Indiana Supreme Court's electronic ticketing program has won awards from two safety associations.
Sidewalk Six defendant settles with state
What began a decade ago and became known as the Sidewalk Six paving-for-votes scandal is now nearing an end as one of the three remaining defendants in the civil racketeering case has settled with the state.
Senate OKs COA panel, St. Joe judge elections
The full Senate voted today in support of legislation scrapping the St. Joseph Superior judge merit-selection system for judicial elections, and also creating a new panel for the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Attorneys ask justices to consider voter ID case
In an expected move, the Indiana Attorney General's Office has asked the state Supreme Court to consider whether the 4-year-old voter identification law is constitutional.
Chief justice honored for helping those in need
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard received the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Commissioner's Award for Indiana from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
COA: Casinos can’t ban card counters
An Indiana casino cannot stop someone from playing regulated blackjack simply because he counts cards, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today.
Justices asked to accept judicial review case
A national business group and several state associations want the Indiana Supreme Court to take a case that could impact judicial review of state administrative agency rules, particularly those that may be outside an agency's authority to address.
AG wants disclosure of riverboat casino money
Non-profit and for-profit companies that receive riverboat casino revenue through economic development agreements should have to disclose how they spend the money, the Indiana Attorney General told lawmakers at a legislative committee meeting on Monday.
Lawmakers vote on COA panel, Lake County fee
Both houses of the Indiana General Assembly took action on court-related legislation Thursday.