23 judges, lawyers, apply to succeed Kirsch on Court of Appeals
Twelve judges and 11 lawyers from central Indiana have applied to succeed retiring Judge James Kirsch on the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Hamilton County
Articles
Westfield Council votes to involve itself in legal fight between mayor, clerk-treasurer
The Westfield City Council on Monday decided to get more involved in the ongoing and expanding legal fight between the city’s mayor and clerk-treasurer by launching an investigation into the matter.
Justices move to further discipline ex-Hamilton County judge
A Hamilton County magistrate judge who was removed from the bench after he was convicted of meth possession resulting from a law enforcement sting operation faces additional discipline for an alleged violation of his professional probation.
Start Page: Digital evidence pilot program clears preflight checklist
The Hamilton County courts have been piloting, in select family law cases, a program for the online submission of trial exhibits through a website called CaseLines, part of Thomson Reuters. Attorneys and their teams can log in to a website, upload their digital exhibits for a hearing and the participants have access to those files for the hearing. The website is one place where the exhibits are stored and all participants can access at the hearing.
Reversal reinstates INDOT revocation of Hamilton County billboard permit
The Indiana Department of Transportation was within its authority to revoke longstanding permits for nonconforming billboards along State Road 32 in Hamilton County, an appeals court ruled, reversing regulatory and trial court rulings in favor of the billboard owners. A trade group had warned such a ruling could lead to billboard permit revocations “any time, for any reason.”
Justices suspend 2 lawyers for repeat OWI convictions
An attorney from Carmel and one from Connersville have been suspended from the practice of law as a result of convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The lawyers in both cases had prior convictions.
Indy TV station loses public records dispute against Hamilton Southeastern schools
A Hamilton County school district fulfilled its public disclosure duties when it provided information about a suspended employee’s discipline and personnel history, even though the district did not provide specific personnel records, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled. The appellate court used its Wednesday decision to call on the Indiana General Assembly to provide more clarity in how public agencies should respond to public records requests.
COA reverses, orders Tippecanoe County expungement
A man whose misdemeanors were expunged in two of three counties where he was convicted will now receive an expungement in the third county after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s expungement denial. The appellate panel found in this case the trial court was compelled to grant the expungement.
Father must consent to stepfather’s adoption of children, appellate court rules
The adoption of two children by their stepfather after their mother died cannot proceed without their father’s consent, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, reversing a trial court order.
Justices reinstate adoption without mother’s consent
An Indiana trial court properly allowed an adoption to proceed without a mother’s consent, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled, reinstating an adoption petition for the child whose mother failed to communicate or pay child support.
Bills for new judicial resources advance, but bid to cut Delaware Co. court draws ire
A bill to add a court in Hamilton County and judicial officers elsewhere has passed the Indiana Senate, as has a measure to allow city and town courts to keep certain administrative fees. A measure to revoke a county court, however, is drawing pushback.
Senate committee supports new judicial resources, municipal court admin fees
Efforts to add judicial resources to several Indiana counties are continuing, with a Senate committee endorsing legislation that would benefit courts in Decatur, Hamilton, Hancock, Huntington, Knox and Lake counties. Meanwhile, a related measure that would let city and town courts keep certain administrative fees is also advancing.
Supreme Court creates rule for appointing commercial court judges
As Indiana’s commercial court program expands, the Indiana Supreme Court is implementing new rules to govern the appointment of judges to the specialized dockets.
Legal misfire: Is it a crime for minors to possess guns?
A 1990s Indiana law that raised penalties for juveniles who possess guns has backfired, limiting the charging options for law enforcement when children have firearms.
Justices partially reverse arbitration in Carmel assisted living rape suit
Indiana Supreme Court justices reversed a determination that a guardian was required to arbitrate claims against a screening company arising from an employee’s sexual assault on a resident of a Carmel assisted living facility.
Committee endorses new Hamilton County court, magistrates for 3 counties
Four Indiana counties are one step closer to adding judicial officers or a new court after winning the approval of a legislative committee.
Indiana commercial courts branching out
Indiana’s commercial court docket is expanding for the first time, with four new venues opening in 2021. Hamilton, Madison, St. Joseph and Vigo counties will join Allen, Elkhart, Floyd, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties in offering the specialized business dockets.
Huntington Co. prosecutor to lead prosecutors’ association in 2021
Huntington County Prosecutor Amy Richison will serve as president of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Inc. in 2021, the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council has announced.
Justices reverse custody order after judge ‘conflated’ contempt with best interests
A mother has regained legal custody of her child for now after the Indiana Supreme Court reversed a trial court order Friday, finding that a lower court judge improperly “coupled” a finding of contempt against the mother with an analysis into the child’s best interests.
Negligence suit against Carmel assisted living facility reinstated on appeal
A negligence suit against a Carmel assisted living facility in which a resident was seriously injured when a buffet table fell, knocking her to the ground, was reinstated after a Hamilton County court ruled in favor of the assisted living facility.