Warrick, LaPorte judges certified as senior judges
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified two new senior judges to serve in Indiana’s trial courts.
Indiana Supreme Court
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New judge pro tem appointed in Lawrence County
A new judge pro tempore will begin serving in the Lawrence Superior Court this month after the current judge pro tem announced he would no longer be able to fulfill his duties.
Justices consider pre-mortem family settlement agreements
The Indiana Supreme Court must decide whether pre-mortem settlement agreements addressing the division of an estate’s assets are enforceable after hearing oral arguments Thursday in a probate dispute between two siblings.
COA upholds dismissal of claim against construction company
The Indiana Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a White County woman’s fraud and damages claim against the construction company that built her home, finding the woman’s claims were barred by the doctrine of res judicata based upon an earlier small claims judgment.
Indiana Court Decisions — Jan. 17-31, 2018
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Disciplinary Actions — 2/7/2018
Read who has been suspended from the practice of law recently.
Panel recommends 6-day suspension for Blackford judge
A state panel has recommended that an Indiana trial court judge be suspended for six days without pay, following charges filed by the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission pertaining to a dispute with the former county clerk.
Probate question to come before Supreme Court
Oral arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court this week will focus on the question of when family members can enter into settlement agreements regarding the distribution of an estate’s assets.
Ex-trooper Camm’s $30 million lawsuit dismissed
A $30 million lawsuit brought by former Indiana State Police trooper David Camm was dismissed Monday by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in New Albany. Camm was twice convicted, but ultimately found not guilty of the murder of his wife and children in a third trial.
Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in fatal chase case
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide if a man who led police on a chase that killed a driver and seriously injured two passengers can be convicted on multiple counts of resisting law enforcement after agreeing to hear the Marion County case last week.
Justices hear plea modification case as Senate acts on similar bill
Before 2014, it was a cut-and-dry issue: fixed-sentence plea agreements meant an offender would serve out the terms of their plea, with no chance to change it. But after 2014 legislation and a 2016 Indiana Court of Appeals decision, the Indiana Supreme Court must now decide whether such agreements may be modified.
Essay contest on branches of government open to students
The Indiana Supreme Court is encouraging students from elementary to high school age to enter an essay contest in honor of Law Day on May 1.
Fixed plea modifications at heart of legislation, Supreme Court case
When a court accepts a fixed-sentence plea agreement, prosecutors and defenders alike say the long-standing practice has been for courts to uphold the exact terms of that sentence, absent an agreement between the parties. A recent Indiana Court of Appeals ruling, however, has seemingly put an end to that practice, leading to both a legislative and judicial review of the sentencing issue.
Rush: Courts ready for hope-filled future
It’s no secret the ongoing opioid epidemic has ravaged nearly every corner of the Hoosier state, sending thousands to court on drug charges, ballooning the number of children in need of services and more. But even as the drug crisis strains Indiana’s judicial resources, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said new court programs and technology have positioned the judiciary to meet the crisis head-on and lead the state into a “hope-filled future.”
Disciplinary Actions – 1/24/18
Read about recent suspensions and a resignation from the practice of law in Indiana.
Supreme Court denies transfer to Richmond Hill defendant
One of the masterminds of the deadly 2012 Richmond Hill home explosion will not appear before the Indiana Supreme Court again after the five justices unanimously denied transfer to his challenge of one of his numerous felony convictions.
Supreme Court to consider sentence modification question
The Indiana Supreme Court will consider a sentence modification question that is also getting attention from the Indiana General Assembly when it hears oral arguments this week.
Franklin attorney suspended for OWI
A Franklin attorney who came to court under the influence and was later arrested for driving while intoxicated has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for at least one year.
Supreme Court: Recusal not required though attorney was reference for judge
Though an attorney who served as a reference for his application to the Indiana Supreme Court served as counsel for an adoption case in his court, a Hamilton County judge was not required to recuse himself because of that relationship, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled.
Mother’s 40-year sentence for molesting son upheld
A Tippecanoe County mother who pleaded guilty to molesting her infant son will serve out her 40-year sentence after the Indiana Supreme Court granted transfer to her case and affirmed her sentence Wednesday.