Supreme Court certifies 11 new senior judges, recertifies 36
The Indiana Supreme Court has certified nearly a dozen judicial officers as senior judges and rectified three dozen, according to several separate Friday orders.
Indiana Supreme Court
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Justices: Drug test results properly admitted in parental rights termination hearing
A couple’s argument that their drug test results amounted to hearsay and should not have been admitted in court failed to convince the Indiana Supreme Court, which found the drug test reports were admissible under the records of a regularly conducted business activity exception.
SCOTUS rejects Floyd County killer’s death sentence appeals
The United States Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected appeals from a Floyd County man sentenced to death after he was convicted of two counts of murder for killing two women eight years ago and later confessing to a 2003 slaying.
COA ruling gives Dead Man’s Statute longer reach
Under the Indiana Dead Man’s Statute, the deceased can tell no tales, but a recent decision by the state’s Court of Appeals has created uncertainty over when the survivors can speak, particularly where it concerns trusts.
Hoosiers give support to Barrett at confirmation hearing
Both Indiana Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun praised 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s intelligence, commitment to the law and love for her family during Monday’s opening round of her confirmation hearing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Justices amend rules, disciplinary process for court interpreters
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended the rules governing court interpreters, with the changes set to take effect Jan. 1. The court approved the amendments to the Interpreter Code of Conduct & Procedure and the Disciplinary Process for Certified Court Interpreters & Candidates for Interpreter Certification.
Justices reprimand 2 Indianapolis attorneys
Two Indianapolis attorneys have been reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court after they reached agreements with the disciplinary commission in their attorney ethics cases.
Hamilton County magistrate judge sentenced in meth case faces discipline
More than 18 months after his arrest on felony charges stemming from a methamphetamine sting, a former Hamilton County magistrate judge also faces a judicial discipline case related to his conduct. Police said that conduct included biting the thumb of an officer who tried to pry a bag of meth from the jurist’s mouth.
Justices vacate ruling for insurer in fatal UIM recovery case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have vacated a ruling in favor of a deceased woman’s parents’ insurance company, concluding that her estate is entitled to summary judgment on whether she was considered an insured person under her parent’s coverage.
Disciplinary commission discloses false statement in urging ex-prosecutor’s disbarment
A judge who recommended disbarment of the former Johnson County prosecutor for domestic violence has amended her report to the Indiana Supreme Court after being notified by a disciplinary commission attorney that he provided a false statement concerning key evidence.
ISBA members vote ‘yes’ to appellate judges’ retention
Each of the seven Indiana appellate judges up for retention this year have received favorable recommendations from members of the Indiana State Bar Association. The state bar released results of its retention survey Wednesday morning.
Rush now negative for COVID-19, Supreme Court says
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has tested negative for COVID-19, the Indiana Supreme Court said in a statement Tuesday, a little more than three weeks after she disclosed she had tested positive for the disease.
SCOTUS rejects petition to hear Indiana Right-to-Farm dispute
A protracted dispute between a concentrated animal feeding operation in Hendricks County and its neighbors ended Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court denying certiorari to the nearby homeowners who claimed the odor from the 8,000 hogs disrupted their lives and diminished their health.
Supreme Court: Text, email notifications available for courts to contact jurors
Indiana trial courts can now send text and email reminders, cancellations, and rescheduling notices to jurors, the Indiana Supreme Court announced on Friday.
Justices split, affirm trial court in defamation default judgment case
A split Indiana Supreme Court on Friday granted transfer and affirmed a trial court’s ruling in a default judgment dispute involving alleged defamation and false reporting, siding with a dissenting appellate court judge.
Indiana attorney general may face bill over discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill could face a big bill from the disciplinary case stemming from allegations that he groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party. The disciplinary commission has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to order Hill to pay more than $50,000 in costs related to the ethics investigation that resulted in his 30-day suspension.
Hearing officer recommends dismissal of Mackey discipline case
The attorney discipline case accusing high-profile Barnes & Thornburg partner Larry Mackey of an improper relationship with the ex-wife of a former Fishers money manager client who was convicted of securities fraud should be dismissed, the hearing officer in his case has recommended.
14-year sentence affirmed for man who killed 2 in high-speed crash
A man must serve a 14-year sentence for driving his SUV through a red light at 89 mph and killing two women whose car he slammed into in a Speedway intersection, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The decision also further chipped away at 1999 caselaw partially overturned this year that had stood as double jeopardy jurisprudence.
Justices split over transfer denial in horse injury case
The Indiana Supreme Court has split over the denial of transfer in a case involving a horseback riding injury, with Justice Steven David publishing a dissent expressing concern that the “pendulum has swung too far” in sports injury cases.
Supreme Court seeking comments on proposed rule changes
The Indiana Supreme Court is seeking public comment on several proposed amendments to the Indiana Rules of Court.