Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Bar exam blues continue as July rate holds steady
Chief Justice Loretta Rush said she was worried and concerned about slumping bar exam scores. She echoed the apprehension of many about the quality of students being admitted to law schools and she noted the format of the test itself may be impacting the results.
Justices order dissemination charge reinstated, overrule COA precedent
A 38-year-old man who sent an explicit photo to a 16-year-old girl must face a felony charge after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal for adults to send sexually explicit photos to any person under the age of 18. The high court also overruled a 2009 Court of Appeals decision that had reached the opposite conclusion.
Indiana Supreme Court to hear death penalty arguments this week
The justices of the Indiana Supreme Court will consider the fate of the state’s death penalty protocol when it hears arguments this week in a case challenging the legality of how the protocol was enacted.
Justices hear Lake Michigan public vs. private rights case
Indiana and public-interest groups took a team approach Thursday to arguing for public access to the shore of Lake Michigan — a claimed public right that private landowners argue never existed in state law.
Indiana Supreme Court to hold argument in Evansville next month
The Indiana Supreme Court will travel to the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville for an oral argument next month, the court announced Wednesday.
New faces bring flux to Indiana Supreme Court
The decline in the number of majority opinions and in the percentage of concurring opinions coming from the Indiana Supreme Court last fiscal year are being linked to the transitions in the state’s highest judicial body, which has welcomed three new justices and installed a new chief justice all within the past five years.
Disciplinary Actions 9/20/17
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brings charges against attorneys who have violated the state’s rules for admission to the bar and Rules of Professional Conduct. The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications brings charges against judges, judicial officers, or judicial candidates for misconduct. Details of attorneys’ and judges’ actions for which they are being disciplined […]
Lawyers could be liable for staff misuse of confidential records
Indiana lawyers could face potential ethical liability if their paralegals or other staff misuse confidential information from online case records.
Murder conviction scratched, man is free after 21 years
After 21 years in custody, a man whose murder conviction was overturned by the Indiana Supreme Court is free.
Supreme Court to consider 3 cases on petition to transfer next week
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether to add three cases to its docket when it hears arguments on petition to transfer next week.
Attorney reprimanded for handling of adoption case
The Indiana Supreme Court has publicly reprimanded a Hamilton County adoption attorney who failed to inform his clients that a birth mother they planned to adopt a baby from had chosen someone else to adopt her child.
Woman convicted in boy’s death appeals to Indiana high court
A northern Indiana woman wants the state Supreme Court to review her conviction in the 2014 death of a toddler she was babysitting.
Lawyers could be liable for staff misuse of confidential records
Indiana lawyers could face potential ethical liability if their paralegals or other staff misuse confidential information from online case records.
Supreme Court: Officers had probable cause to detain man
Grant County law enforcement officials had probable cause to believe a Chicago man was in possession of a narcotic drug when they detained him and transported him to a police station, the Indiana Supreme Court held Thursday in an opinion affirming the man’s felony drug conviction.
High court affirms restitution order in auto theft
The Indiana Supreme Court has affirmed a restitution order of more than $5,000 against a woman convicted of stealing a vehicle, finding the trial court did not err in determining damage to the vehicle was caused by the theft and that the woman has or will have the ability to pay.
Judicial offices seeking feedback on proposed rule amendments
The Indiana Supreme Court and other statewide judicial entities are seeking feedback from members of the bench, bar and public on proposed amendments to various court rules.
Goff joins high court in emotional ceremony
As Justice Christopher Goff sat in his spot on the Indiana Supreme Court bench Friday morning, donning his official justice robe, he told a crowd of well-wishers gathered in the courtroom and the Indiana House of Representatives that he was feeling three emotions: gratitude, responsibility and hopefulness.
Second attorney ordered to pay fine or go to jail for practicing with suspended license
For the second time in a month, the Indiana Supreme Court has threatened to impose jail time on an attorney found in contempt if she does not pay a fine for practicing law while her license was suspended.
High court allows man’s complaint against stepmother to continue
A Delaware County man’s complaint alleging his stepmother violated her duties as trustee of his deceased father’s trust will continue after the Indiana Supreme Court upheld a finding that the trial court has jurisdiction to hear the case.