Indiana Court Decisions, Nov. 22-Dec. 5
Read the Indiana appellate court decisions from the latest reporting period.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Judge pro tempore appointed for judge facing sex-based harassment claims
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed a judge pro tempore to fill an upcoming vacancy in the Huntington Circuit Court as a sex-based harassment case against the current sitting judge continues to play out in federal court.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who resigned and who was suspended from the practice of law in Indiana.
Supreme Court declines to hear malpractice case
The Indiana Supreme Court has denied transfer to a legal malpractice case stemming from the fraudulent actions of now-disgraced Indianapolis attorney William Conour, letting stand a grant of summary judgment to a former Conour associate.
Justices to decide if sex offender’s internet restriction unconstitutional
After being convicted of incest with his teenage niece, a Tippecanoe County man’s sentence contained several probation conditions, including a prohibition on accessing websites “frequented by children” and a prohibition on internet use without prior approval. Those conditions are the subject of an appeal now under review by the Indiana Supreme Court, which will decide whether the conditions, as applied, are unconstitutional.
Justices to decide if med-mal case must be dismissed on free speech grounds
The future of a medical malpractice complaint against a doctor who reported suspected child abuse in her patient will be decided by the justices of the Indiana Supreme Court, who must determine whether the doctor’s report was protected by an Indiana free speech statute.
Attorney suspended 6 months for work with California firm
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a Carmel attorney from the practice of law for six months after finding he engaged in an improper business relationship with an out-of-state corporation.
Justices weigh if doctor who reported suspected abuse can be sued
A dispute over whether doctors who report suspected child abuse are protected under Indiana statute will come before the state’s high court this week — one of three oral arguments the court will hear Thursday.
ICLEO program taking applications for 2018
The Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) program is taking applications from underrepresented individuals interested in pursuing a law degree and career as a lawyer.
Lawyer sentenced to 2 years for wire fraud conviction
A disbarred Lake County lawyer convicted of wire fraud after he was accused of draining a receivership of more than $330,000 was sentenced to two years in federal prison Tuesday.
Divided Supreme Court throws out juvenile’s LWOP sentence
In a 3-2 decision Tuesday, the Indiana Supreme Court reduced a life without parole sentence for an offender convicted of murder at 17, finding LWOP sentences should be reserved for the most “heinous” juvenile offenders. The dissenting justices, however, found the nature of the crime in question warranted a life sentence.
Supreme Court to hear case of juvenile who threatened school
After a divided panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals partially reversed a delinquent adjudication against a high school student who made violent threats against his school and classmates, the Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the student’s adjudications should stand in part or in whole.
Indiana Court Decisions
Read opinions from Indiana’s appellate courts for the most recent reporting period.
High Court to decide whether town can move easement without owner’s consent
A local plan commission’s decision to move an easement without the owner’s consent will come under consideration by the Indiana Supreme Court during oral arguments this week.
State employees now blow whistle at own risk
A ruling by the Indiana Supreme Court that held the state cannot be sued under the whistleblower act has left some attorneys concerned for taxpayers and inspired at least one elected official to seek to change the law. But the ruling has not discouraged the state employee who started the fight.
DTCI: 2017 Amicus Activity — A look back at key cases
This year, the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana has participated as amicus in a variety of issues of significant interest to the defense bar. Here is a look at those cases in the Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
High Court to decide if husband will be tried for wife’s shooting death
After recently suspending a deputy prosecutor for misconduct during a murder investigation, the Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the man charged in the investigation must stand trial.
Indianapolis attorney resigns from bar in wake of disciplinary complaint
An Indianapolis attorney accused of misusing funds in her lawyer trust account can no longer practice law in Indiana after the Supreme Court accepted her resignation.
Justices considering definition of ‘place of detention’
There is a central question underlying a drug conviction case now under consideration by the Indiana Supreme Court: what is a “place of detention” under Indiana Evidence Rule 617? Once they answer that question, the justices will be able to decide whether a Grant County man’s heroin convictions must be thrown out.
High court to consider whether to take utility rate hike case
The justices of the Indiana Supreme Court will consider whether to decide a dispute over a northern Indiana utility rate increase when it hears oral arguments on petition to transfer this week.