Articles

COA affirms 20-year sentence for man convicted of firearm, drug felonies

The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a 20-year sentence imposed on a man convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and driving children in car while under the influence of various drugs, finding the trial court did not abuse its discretion in considering aggravators and that the sentence is not inappropriate.

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COA considers whether ban on sex offenders attending church violates RFRA

Three Boone County men convicted of serious sex offenses are looking to the Indiana Court of Appeals to determine if they can return to their churches as the court considers whether a ruling that the men cannot attend church when children’s programming is in session violates their rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

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COA: Officer’s stop of car for expired plate ‘reasonable’

An Indianapolis police officer who initiated a traffic stop that led to the arrest of a passenger in the stopped vehicle did not violate the man’s constitutional rights, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, because the officer reasonably believed the vehicle had an expired license plate and registration.

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COA reverses summary judgment for aviation company

The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed summary judgment for a Porter County aviation company after finding issues of fact exist as to whether the company breached its duty of care to a woman injured on its property.

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COA affirms life sentence for juvenile offender

After determining that a ban on mandatory life without parole sentences for juvenile offenders does not apply in situations in which the juvenile offender agreed to life without parole as part of a plea agreement, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a life sentence for one of only four Indiana juveniles ever to receive that sentence.

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LGBT advocates praise ruling on changing gender marker

A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling that determined individuals seeking to legally change the gender markers on their birth certificates don’t have to publish notice of their intent to do so has LGBT rights advocates celebrating what they see as greater legal protection for transgender people.

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Delay in search of cellphones gets marijuana charges tossed

Prosecutors holding cellphones for months and then having to ask for a continuance so they could finally search the evidence raised the ire of the Indiana Court of Appeals, which subsequently tossed the charges against two defendants whose trials were delayed more than a year.

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COA affirms denial of petition to terminate parental rights

A mother and father can continue on their path toward reunification with their children after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined Thursday the Department of Child Services did not sustain its burden of proof to support termination of their parental rights.

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Convicted murderer to get new trial

A Marion County man convicted of murder and multiple drug charges will receive a new trial after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined the trial court erred by dismissing a juror nearly two hours after deliberations had begun.

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