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.
Indiana Supreme Court
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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.
Speedway attorney’s discipline added to indefinite suspension
A Speedway attorney with a lengthy disciplinary history has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for 90 days, a suspension that will run concurrently with the indefinite suspension he is already under.
Supreme Court takes RV dealer’s tax case
An Indiana case dealing with out-of-state tax issues will come before the Indiana Supreme Court after the justices unanimously granted review to a dispute between the Indiana Department of State Revenue and a Hoosier RV dealer.
House to consider stricter definition of out-of-state Level 6 felony
A bill that would change how Indiana’s courts treat out-of-state felonies during sentencing will come before the full Indiana House of Representatives for a vote Tuesday.
Attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended an Indianapolis attorney from the practice of law after previously suspending him for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation.
Bill would allow whistleblower complaints against state
Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, has filed a bill that would extend whistleblower protections to state employees who speak up about government misdeeds or fiscal malfeasance. The legislation is in response to a split decision from the Indiana Supreme Court, which found the state whistleblower statute did not include workers in the public sector.
7th Circuit reverses death sentence for murderer Baer
Despite the “atrocious” nature of a murderer’s crimes, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed his death sentence in a habeas petition, finding prosecutorial misconduct and misleading jury instructions likely influenced the jury’s decision to sentence him to death.
Justices consider delinquent adjudications for teen who threatened school
In the fall of 2015, a Seymour High School student began planning a “Columbine-style” attack on his school specifically targeting two students — a girl he had a crush on, and the other boy that girl liked. The plan was reported and foiled without any harm, but now the Indiana Supreme Court must decide whether delinquent adjudications imposed on the high school conspirator will stand.
Rush discusses ‘hope-filled future’ during State of the Judiciary
A complete turnover in the Supreme Court bench, an expansion of judicial training options and a continued commitment to court technology has poised the Indiana judiciary in a state of hope for the future, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said today in her State of the Judiciary address.
High court to hear case of teen who planned ‘Columbine-style’ attack
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a teenager who made violent threats against his school can be adjudicated as a delinquent for both attempted and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery after it hears oral arguments in the Jackson County case this week.
Indiana Court Decisions — Dec. 19, 2017-Jan. 3, 2018
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Problems persist as director quits DCS
The departure of Mary Beth Bonaventura as director of the Indiana Department of Child Services surprised several family law attorneys and social service providers. Uniformly, they agreed the former Lake County juvenile judge was a strong advocate for children and brought valuable experience to her tenure. Still, the department has struggled against internal and external challenges.