Judges: amendment not retroactive
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that an estate's interpretation of a 2003 amendment to Indiana Code would threaten the fiscal health of governmental entities and that the amendment isn't retroactive.
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COA declines ruling on constitutionality of plan
The Indiana Court of Appeals declined to address the constitutionality of a Department of Correction program for sex offenders based on the deficient record before it and because the appellate court could decide the case without ruling on the constitutionality of the program.
Justice praises court-technology support
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. praised Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration's support for improved court technology during a speech Wednesday in Denver. Justice Sullivan addressed a plenary session at the National Court Technology Conference, which is sponsored by the National Center for State Courts.
Judge named chairman of alcohol commission
A longtime Wayne County judge has been appointed the new chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.
Forum to focus on energy policy and progress
The 2009 Environmental Policy Forum Spring Symposium at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis will feature professors, members of the Indiana General Assembly and various environmental and energy organizations who will examine Indiana's energy policy and the progress and prospects for legislation.
Judicial merit-selection override a possibility
The state's top executive has rejected the idea of scrapping merit selection in St. Joseph County, but it remains unclear whether lawmakers will attempt to override that veto during a special session.
FBI releases hate crime stats
More than 9,000 offenses in the U.S. in 2008 motivated by bias to particular groups of people were reported to the FBI in 2008, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program that publishes those statistics, the FBI announced today.
2010 Organization Day for lawmakers today
Lawmakers returned to the Indiana Statehouse today for Organization Day, a traditionally ceremonial time spent electing leaders and organizing priorities for its second regular session – the short session – that starts in January. More coverage will be in the Nov. 25 issue of Indiana Lawyer.
Coverage for unborn children up in air
Lawmakers failed to act on a bill that would have amended Indiana's child wrongful death statute to cover unborn children, thus defeating it for this legislative session in its current form.
Senate passes new COA panel bill
The Indiana Senate has given its OK to add three judges to the state's second highest appellate court.
Senate gets St. Joe judges bill, with twist
The full Indiana Senate will consider in the next week whether St. Joseph Superior judges should be elected or merit-selected and retained by voters. A Senate committee wants the full legislative body to consider that issue, but with a twist: An amendment has been attached to the controversial House Bill 1491.
Agency erred in taxing certain money
The Department of State Revenue erred when it concluded certain money collected from customers of a small, rural telecommunications company were subject to Indiana's utility receipts tax, the Indiana Tax Court ruled Thursday.
Federal Circuit converges on Indianapolis
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has kept up with a trend of publishing more written opinions than any other federal court, and one of the most significant happenings in the past year is the recent resurrection of inviting lower trial judges to sit by designation on appeals panels.
Former city judge dies in accident
A former city judge and current mayor of Butler, Ind. died May 17 following a motorcycle accident.
FBI recognizes lawyer for leadership
An attorney received an award from the FBI's Indianapolis Office for her support of the FBI's community outreach efforts and for furthering the agency's mission.
Judge: punitive-damage cap unconstitutional
A Marion County judge has refused to reduce damages in a priest sex-abuse case, saying the punitive damage caps put in place more than a decade ago are unconstitutional.
Indiana funds want SCOTUS review
Three Indiana pension and construction funds are asking the Supreme Court of the United States to reconsider their objections to the Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings that earlier this year resulted in the sale of most of the American automaker's assets to an Italian company.
AG wants Melendez-Diaz overturned
The Indiana Attorney General's Office is joining several states in co-authoring an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court of the United States to modify or overturn its decision in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts
Indiana delegation attending ABA summit
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard is heading an Indiana delegation that will attend the American Bar Association's national summit to foster cooperation and communication among the three branches of state government.
Court doesn’t order contempt sanctions on state
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was presented with the question in an Indiana case of how much non-compliance of a consent decree involving Medicaid applications is needed before a District Court can impose civil contempt sanctions.