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.
Indiana General Assembly
Articles
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.
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.
Lawyer attacks state representative
The lawyer accused of attacking attorney and state representative Edward DeLaney faces five counts, including attempted murder.
Committee ponders DCS authority of juveniles
An interim legislative committee is deciding what it should do about a last-minute, special session addition giving the Department of Child Services even more control over juvenile justice decisions that judges have historically been entrusted to make.
Lawmakers: No Gitmo detainees to Indiana
A Northern Indiana lawmaker doesn't want any Guantanamo Bay Naval Base detainees to be sent to a high-security prison in Terre Haute once the Guantanamo camp is closed within a year.
Governor gives teachers more legal protection
Hoping to curb frivolous lawsuits against teachers and schools, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law today legislation that he describes as being the strongest in the nation on protecting teachers from student discipline litigation.
House OKs feticide bill, sends back to Senate
Legislation that would increase the penalty for fetal homicide has made it through the Indiana House of Representatives, and now must go back for approval in the Senate where it originated since some changes were made.
House speaker proposes lobbying reforms
Indiana Speaker of the House B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, will propose a comprehensive series of ethics reforms in the 2010 legislative session that he said will impact lawmakers, members of the executive branch, and people who do business with the state.
7th Circuit won’t rehear prayer suit
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals won't rehear en banc Indiana's statehouse prayer suit.
Commission mulls retention, mandates
A legislative study committee on courts delved into a variety of topics on Thursday afternoon, ranging from a new judicial retention Web site, judicial mandates, and the first new court request of the year.
9th Circuit upholds Arizona immigration law
Indiana lawmakers who want to pass legislation targeting employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants got ammunition from a federal appellate court ruling in California.
Governor backs court reforms
Expect some talk of sweeping court reforms in the coming legislative session.
Bar wants merit-based selection extended
The Lake County Bar Association will send a delegation to Friday's Commission on Courts meeting to endorse the adoption of legislation that would support merit-based selection of judges to the County Courts Division.
ACLU: Full court should rehear prayer case
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana wants the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a case involving legislative prayer.