All appeals judges retained by voters
The four Indiana appellate judges up for retention this year received approval from voters Tuesday.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Defendant argues jury erred by disregarding experts
A Steuben County man convicted of attempted murder by a jury of his peers is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to take the rare step of reversing the verdict on the grounds the jury ignored evidence that he was delusional on the day he committed the crime.
Justices take trio of criminal cases
The Indiana Supreme Court added three criminal cases to its docket last week.
Indiana’s high court hears IBM welfare case
Indiana's Supreme Court justices grilled attorneys for the state and IBM Corp. on Thursday about the company's failed attempt to privatize Indiana's welfare services, which prompted the state to cancel IBM's $1.3 billion state contract less than three years into the 10-year deal.
Man didn’t prove ineffective assistance of counsel
The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed the denial of post-conviction relief for a man who charged his attorney was ineffective for not doing a better job arguing the sufficiency of the evidence to prove the defendant conspired to commit dealing cocaine.
Justices: Pattern Jury Instruction 9.05 is correct statement of law
Clearing up confusion among the courts as to whether a jury instruction regarding the definition of “intentionally” can include that the defendant intended to “cause the result” of his conduct, the Indiana Supreme Court affirmed Pattern Jury Instruction 9.05 represents a correct statement of the law.
Justices reverse judgment for defendants in suit involving student’s death
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered further proceedings in a negligence lawsuit filed by the parents of a special needs student who died after choking on her lunch at school. The justices found there are questions as to whether the parents complied with tort claim notice requirements, so judgment in favor of the defendants is not proper.
Justices order COA to reconsider dismissed termination appeals
In light of a September ruling in which the Indiana Supreme Court held it had jurisdiction to entertain a biological father’s appeal of an adoption, the justices granted transfer and ordered the Court of Appeals to reconsider two cases.
Justices rule on ‘exhaustion rule’ issue
The Indiana Supreme Court tackled issues of first impression Wednesday involving peremptory challenges and removing jurors for cause. The justices held that parties satisfy the “exhaustion rule” the moment they use their final peremptory challenge – regardless of whom they strike.
Officers’ entry into home to chase bloodied dog unreasonable, justices rule
The Indiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that drug evidence obtained by police after they entered a home without a warrant to capture an aggressive dog should not have been admitted at the defendant’s trial. The justices held the search violated Article I, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution.
Indiana justices to hear school bus fees appeal
The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether a public school district may charge parents a fee to transport children to and from school.
Elkhart teens, amici seek appeal of murder convictions
The felony murder convictions of two Elkhart County teens that splintered the Court of Appeals should be heard by the Indiana Supreme Court, the defendants and amicus filers say.
Justices uphold fired DWD employee’s ban from executive branch employment
A fired Indiana Department of Workforce Development employee who argued that she shouldn’t be sanctioned and barred from future executive branch employment because of her misuse of state property lost her appeal before the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday.
Rush OKs media coverage for National Adoption Day
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has approved still photography, video and audio coverage of uncontested adoption proceedings in honor of National Adoption Day Nov. 22.
Justices affirm denial of Crime Victims Relief Act liability
The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed a trial court’s decision to not impose Crime Victims Relief Act liability on a couple who sold their home knowing it had defects. And although the Indiana Court of Appeals also affirmed, Chief Justice Loretta Rush pointed out the high court has different reasons for leaving the trial court’s judgment in place.
Justices vacate transfer in insurance policy lawsuit
The Indiana Supreme Court decided Tuesday that the Court of Appeals decision regarding an insurance policy sold by Settlers Life Insurance Co. should stand, so it vacated transfer of a case it took in August.
Keeping death certification accessible is ‘victory for the public’
Both the Hoosier State Press Association and the Indiana attorney general are applauding the Indiana Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday that cause of death information is public.
Unanimous Supreme Court holds death certificates are public records
Taking what it called a “plain reading” of the state statute, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled death certificates which include the cause of death are public records and should be available to anyone who requests access.
Ogden quitting law, citing high disciplinary fine
Indianapolis attorney and blogger Paul Ogden said he is quitting the practice of law rather than pay costs of more than $10,000 imposed on him as the result of a disciplinary case involving private comments he made about a judge.
Justices add criminal and child support cases to docket
Whether a person’s proximity to a crime scene together with circumstantial evidence is sufficient for conviction is the question for the Indiana Supreme Court in one of two cases justices will review.